It's amazing what an oil change can do

**SMOKEU** · 9th September 2010, 19:28

Up until today, I hadn't changed the oil in about 5,000km and I hadn't changed the oil filter in about 10,000km.

Over the past few months, the gear changes on my bike have become rougher and rougher. Sometimes it would take 5 or 6 goes just to get it into neutral, and from neutral into first would sometimes take 3 or 4 attempts.

So I did an oil and filter change today, and it made a huge difference, it feels like new again! The gear shifts are so much smoother, and I can get neutral first time, every time. I no longer sometimes hook neutral instead of 2nd gear when attempting 18,000RPM gear shifts either.

It's amazing what an oil change can do!

**YellowDog** · 9th September 2010, 19:47

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

Up until today, I hadn't changed the oil in about 5,000km and I hadn't changed the oil filter in about 10,000km.

Over the past few months, the gear changes on my bike have become rougher and rougher. Sometimes it would take 5 or 6 goes just to get it into neutral, and from neutral into first would sometimes take 3 or 4 attempts.

So I did an oil and filter change today, and it made a huge difference, it feels like new again! The gear shifts are so much smoother, and I can get neutral first time, every time. I no longer sometimes hook neutral instead of 2nd gear when attempting 18,000RPM gear shifts either.

It's amazing what an oil change can do!

I had the same experiece. I was worried my gearbox was on the way out.

After an oil change it was as smooth as silk

**Genie** · 9th September 2010, 20:32

I guess that is why they are done every few thousand k's.

**tamarillo** · 9th September 2010, 20:42

Surely a good oil is good for 5000 k's? I guess it works hard in a high revving unit but unless there is a problem a good oil should last surely? Any mechanics care to comment?

**SMOKEU** · 9th September 2010, 20:44

Originally Posted by tamarillo

Surely a good oil is good for 5000 k's? I guess it works hard in a high revving unit but unless there is a problem a good oil should last surely? Any mechanics care to comment?

I use Castrol semi synthetic (bike oil of course). I've heard the fully synthetic oils can make the clutch slip on these bikes. The dirty oil wasn't even black, it was a dark gold colour, but not that dark.

**Gibbo89** · 9th September 2010, 20:52

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

Up until today, I hadn't changed the oil in about 5,000km and I hadn't changed the oil filter in about 10,000km.

Over the past few months, the gear changes on my bike have become rougher and rougher. Sometimes it would take 5 or 6 goes just to get it into neutral, and from neutral into first would sometimes take 3 or 4 attempts.

So I did an oil and filter change today, and it made a huge difference, it feels like new again! The gear shifts are so much smoother, and I can get neutral first time, every time. I no longer sometimes hook neutral instead of 2nd gear when attempting 18,000RPM gear shifts either.

It's amazing what an oil change can do!

might need to get onto mine too now!

**BIG DOUG** · 9th September 2010, 20:52

What don't you change the filter when you do trhe oil?

**gatch** · 9th September 2010, 20:57

It's common to only change the filter every second oil change. Provided of course you don't leave your services until the oil is blacker than the blackest black, times infinite..

**dipshit** · 9th September 2010, 20:59

Originally Posted by tamarillo

Surely a good oil is good for 5000 k's? I guess it works hard in a high revving unit but unless there is a problem a good oil should last surely?

Some oils can lose 30% of their viscosity index within a 1000 k's.

**SMOKEU** · 9th September 2010, 21:04

Originally Posted by BIG DOUG

What don't you change the filter when you do trhe oil?

With my shocking mechanical skills, I thought I probably wouldn't be able to put it all back together once I took the filter out. Surprisingly enough, I managed to do it on my own without any issues. I'll definately change the filter at every oil change from now on. Filters are cheap enough anyway. I cleaned out the filter mechanism with petrol as well.

**pritch** · 9th September 2010, 21:11

Originally Posted by gatch

It's common to only change the filter every second oil change.

Really?

I like Scumdog's recent comment to the effect that changing the oil without changing the filter is like wiping half your arse.

OK, I'm shallow but...

In reply to another comment, Castrol oils may not be quite what they claim. A judge ruled that they could call their oil "synthetic" but in their case the meaning has rather less than most. I say most because they are not alone, Shell have also adopted a version of Orwell's "new speak".

Neither of those gets in my bike but you pays your money and you makes your choice.

**dipshit** · 9th September 2010, 21:19

Originally Posted by pritch

Really?

I like Scumdog's recent comment to the effect that changing the oil without changing the filter is like wiping half your arse.

A lot of old oil is always trapped inside the engine. Like in oil coolers etc. Some bikes as much as 30% of the old oil stays behind. Doesn't matter as at least you are adding some new oil with fresh additives.

The filter material itself is perfectly fine for every 2nd change.

**BMWST?** · 9th September 2010, 21:31

bikes that share the oil between engine and gearbox(ie most) are very hard on the oil

**AllanB** · 9th September 2010, 22:49

Next time try another brand. I was running Castrol semi-synthetic and changed to Motul 5100 semi. There was an impressive improvement in shifting - and that was clean Castrol - it was only in there for under 1,000 kms.

Some bikes are more affected by oils in the shifting department than others, my Hornet is, and that's reiterated in other international forums. Various Hondas appear to be this way.