Engine oil?

[Logpot]

So I will have to change the filter? Seeing that I don't have all the skills yet to change oil filters, can I simply top up the oil until I either learn how to change the filter or to have it serviced by a mechanic?

To get started you can just top up the oil but I'd suggest a complete oil and filter change in the near future if you don't know the bike's service history.

[overworkedmonkey]

To get started you can just top up the oil but I'd suggest a complete oil and filter change in the near future if you don't know the bike's service history.

Cool. Intend to change it sometime soon however rather be safe until I have the skills to do it or to get a mechanic to do it. Any brand I should keep an eye out for?

[Logpot]

Cool. Intend to change it sometime soon however rather be safe until I have the skills to do it or to get a mechanic to do it. Any brand I should keep an eye out for?

I use Spectro oil and genuine Honda filters in mine.

[overworkedmonkey]

I use Spectro oil and genuine Honda filters in mine.

Can I get them at any petrol pump, I mean the oil? Where do you get the filters from?

[Logpot]

Can I get them at any petrol pump, I mean the oil? Where do you get the filters from?

Best you visit your local Honda dealer to order the filter and at the same time check out their range of oils.

[overworkedmonkey]

Best you visit your local Honda dealer to order the filter and at the same time check out their range of oils.

Thanks mate. Appreciate the help.

[bsasuper]

You can buy HiFlo filters from supercheap which are fine, and a bit cheaper than honda OEM.You need to use a motorcycle specific oil, its fine for topping up, if you dont know which oil is already in it.

[overworkedmonkey]

The service manual suggests 4-cycled motorcycle SAE 1OW-40 or SAE20W-50

[zmlam]

For the operators manual for my honda (VTR), it said I should warm up the bike first before looking at the oil level gauge. Also have to put the bike up right (instead of its default leaning on stand position), which changes level.

If I don't warm up the bike, the oil level seems very low. Once the bike has been around the block, it looks like its at the normal level.

Not sure if its a generic thing (to warm up the bike and make sure its upright) for checking oil level.

[AllanB]

Go with the 10w40 - available at all bike shops. You can mix brands etc for a top-up.

While you are looking over the bike please check the tyre pressures - I am unsure what your bike should run but there is usually a sticker on the chain-guard or swingarm (unless removed like I do!) that tells you what he cold tyre pressure should be.

Bikes are very sensitive to tyre pressures and a few psi low can stuff up their handling and cause tyre wear.

[overworkedmonkey]

Go with the 10w40 - available at all bike shops. You can mix brands etc for a top-up.

While you are looking over the bike please check the tyre pressures - I am unsure what your bike should run but there is usually a sticker on the chain-guard or swingarm (unless removed like I do!) that tells you what he cold tyre pressure should be.

Bikes are very sensitive to tyre pressures and a few psi low can stuff up their handling and cause tyre wear.

Thanks. Is the difference in the two types of oil just the viscousity?

Thanks for heads up. Will check the PSI. If it isn't on the chain-guard or swing-arm, what's the best way to check the required tyre pressure?

[Buyasta]

Thanks. Is the difference in the two types of oil just the viscousity?

Thanks for heads up. Will check the PSI. If it isn't on the chain-guard or swing-arm, what's the best way to check the required tyre pressure?

Recommended pressures should be in your service manual, although if it's not running stock tyres they could potentially be different. It may be written on the side of your tyres, possibly in the form of "Max load x kg at y bar".

[overworkedmonkey]

Recommended pressures should be in your service manual, although if it's not running stock tyres they could potentially be different. It may be written on the side of your tyres, possibly in the form of "Max load x kg at y bar".

Would it also have the actual PSI the tyres should have?

[Buyasta]

Would it also have the actual PSI the tyres should have?

1 bar = 100 kPa = 14.5038 psi

The example I gave above was just an example of what is written on a tyre I had at hand, it may be written in various different units of pressure, although the most likely would be psi, bar, or kPa (kilopascals) - pounds per square inch is obviously the imperial measurement, while metric is the pascal, which equates to one newton per square metre.

If you just google you'll find plenty of online calculators to convert between the different units (like so: http://www.onlineconversion.com/pressure.htm), so whatever it is written in, you should be able to find it's equivalent in psi easily enough.

[overworkedmonkey]

Sweet. Thanks for your help.