Do we need to use "motorcycle" oil in our scooters or will regular oil be ok? I would like ur latest thoughts on brand,type,etc. oil u use and where it can be purchased at the best price and also how often u change the oil and the oil filter.
engine oil
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HEY MODERATOR, can we GET AN ENGINE OIL FORUM?
This just seems to be an endlessly debated, questioned, postulated and "subjective" subject.
There are standards for motorcycle oil just as there are standards for automobile engine oil and diesel engine oil. Those standards are in place to provide the best service using the correct type of oil. Now if you happen to use an oil that isn't Suzuke
Take a few minutes to read this as it pretty much discusses your question. It will literally tell you EVERYTHING you need to know to be proficient in motorcycle oil-speak.
Here's an excerpt: "Motorcycles Engines are Special
In most motorcycle engines, those same engine surfaces generally move much faster than they do in car and truck engines, conventionally twice to ten times as fast, due to difference in RPM ranges, stroke lengths, stroke speeds (i.e. - piston speed), et cetera. Additionally, most modern street-oriented motorcycles have a "wet clutch", which means that the clutch plates also sit in the same oil that the rest of the engine uses to lubricate itself. Most also have the transmission also sharing this same oil. Throw in the fact that some motorcycles are still oil-air cooled (which causes the oil to run 1.5 to 3 times hotter than a water-cooled engine). These four differences (speed, clutch exposure, transmission exposure and oil temp) are the grounds for the basic differences between formulations of motorcycle oils and car oils.
I.E. - Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 contains 25% more anti-wear and anti-oxidation additives than the equivalent traditional Mobil 1 automobile oil. "
http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/motorcy ... c_oil.html
As to the question about "where to buy", again, you can get oil virtually ANYWHERE (Wal Mart, K mart, Target, Sam's Club, COSTCO, Autozone, Pep Boys, Checkers, O'Reillys, your local dealer etc etc etc) that meets the cost and quantity requirement. You can get the filter at the Suzuki dealer as well as Suzuki oil or any good dino or synthetic motorcycle oil. You can use NAPA, WIX, K&N or other manufacturer's filters (yes, even FRAM, LoL, if you so desire). You can buy the filters about anywhere once you know the numbers and cross reference, and you can buy Suzuki Burgman filters off eBay or Amazon.com. You can use regular DINO oil or Mobile 1 or AMSOIL or Castrol or any other oil that meets the specs. (READ THE LABEL). You can generally save a little if you buy the oil in bulk (in the 4 or 5 quart jugs). I generally do the crankcase first and change the tranny oil every other oil change as the transmission oil is not subjected to the same types of stress the engine oil is subjected to.
As to the FREQUENCY, that information is in your MANUAL. I can RECOMMEND 3,000 with DINO oil, or 5,000 miles or even 7500 miles with Synthetic oils, but depending on where you are and the conditions you ride, that should determine your oil change interval. And yes, change the FILTER every time you change the oil.
Take the time to thoroughly read the link I provided and to digest that information. You will find it informative, even enlightening and will provide you with a solid basis in oil knowledge.
This just seems to be an endlessly debated, questioned, postulated and "subjective" subject.
There are standards for motorcycle oil just as there are standards for automobile engine oil and diesel engine oil. Those standards are in place to provide the best service using the correct type of oil. Now if you happen to use an oil that isn't Suzuke
Take a few minutes to read this as it pretty much discusses your question. It will literally tell you EVERYTHING you need to know to be proficient in motorcycle oil-speak.
Here's an excerpt: "Motorcycles Engines are Special
In most motorcycle engines, those same engine surfaces generally move much faster than they do in car and truck engines, conventionally twice to ten times as fast, due to difference in RPM ranges, stroke lengths, stroke speeds (i.e. - piston speed), et cetera. Additionally, most modern street-oriented motorcycles have a "wet clutch", which means that the clutch plates also sit in the same oil that the rest of the engine uses to lubricate itself. Most also have the transmission also sharing this same oil. Throw in the fact that some motorcycles are still oil-air cooled (which causes the oil to run 1.5 to 3 times hotter than a water-cooled engine). These four differences (speed, clutch exposure, transmission exposure and oil temp) are the grounds for the basic differences between formulations of motorcycle oils and car oils.
I.E. - Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 contains 25% more anti-wear and anti-oxidation additives than the equivalent traditional Mobil 1 automobile oil. "
http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/motorcy ... c_oil.html
As to the question about "where to buy", again, you can get oil virtually ANYWHERE (Wal Mart, K mart, Target, Sam's Club, COSTCO, Autozone, Pep Boys, Checkers, O'Reillys, your local dealer etc etc etc) that meets the cost and quantity requirement. You can get the filter at the Suzuki dealer as well as Suzuki oil or any good dino or synthetic motorcycle oil. You can use NAPA, WIX, K&N or other manufacturer's filters (yes, even FRAM, LoL, if you so desire). You can buy the filters about anywhere once you know the numbers and cross reference, and you can buy Suzuki Burgman filters off eBay or Amazon.com. You can use regular DINO oil or Mobile 1 or AMSOIL or Castrol or any other oil that meets the specs. (READ THE LABEL). You can generally save a little if you buy the oil in bulk (in the 4 or 5 quart jugs). I generally do the crankcase first and change the tranny oil every other oil change as the transmission oil is not subjected to the same types of stress the engine oil is subjected to.
As to the FREQUENCY, that information is in your MANUAL. I can RECOMMEND 3,000 with DINO oil, or 5,000 miles or even 7500 miles with Synthetic oils, but depending on where you are and the conditions you ride, that should determine your oil change interval. And yes, change the FILTER every time you change the oil.
Take the time to thoroughly read the link I provided and to digest that information. You will find it informative, even enlightening and will provide you with a solid basis in oil knowledge.
tomfelock said:
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+1
I'll move this topic to the 2007+ 400 forum to keep it from becoming confusing. The 400 has a dry clutch and does not have the same restrictions as you'll find with bikes (like the 650) that have a wet clutch.
You can use any oil of the proper viscosity and you'll have no problems. Many here use the Shell Rotella oil and get it from Walmart. I use the Delo 400 LE oil that I get from Costco. Both are diesel rated oils, which I feel are better for your engine.
Chris
I'll move this topic to the 2007+ 400 forum to keep it from becoming confusing. The 400 has a dry clutch and does not have the same restrictions as you'll find with bikes (like the 650) that have a wet clutch.
You can use any oil of the proper viscosity and you'll have no problems. Many here use the Shell Rotella oil and get it from Walmart. I use the Delo 400 LE oil that I get from Costco. Both are diesel rated oils, which I feel are better for your engine.
Chris
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2,003 Posts
Tom, I agree with Chris that Rotella or Delo is an excellent oil for your 400. As stated earlier, these critters run a very high RPM and with only a Quart or so of oil its taking a pretty good beating....in my opinion...and in my previous three 400's I changed oil every 3-4000K with a new filter each time. Filters from the dealer are around $6 or less.
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335 Posts
WalMart 10-40 in Burgman fine----having run about 500,000 2 wheel miles since 1990, using this oil most of the time, including Kawasaki Voyager,Concours, BMWK-75, 2 Burgman/TMAX/4Helix/ReFlex. All purchased new. Concours had 56,000 at trade time, one Helix 50,000, GS500E Suzuki 64,000 miles. Current 11 month on road leftover 2011 Burgman at 22,000 miles, got fresh WalMart 10-40 yesterday.
Even thought I ride alot----I do frequent oil changes--2,000 miles or 60 days which ever comes first, filter everyother change.....and do not keep bikes forever....no oil related problems in the above time frame.
Last on oil for Burgman----1200cc crankcase, engine works hard as does oil. My take keep it fresh.
Funny thing----in US, hardly anybody rides their scooter enough to wear engine out And I do not believe in long change intervals. Oil is cheap in US
Even thought I ride alot----I do frequent oil changes--2,000 miles or 60 days which ever comes first, filter everyother change.....and do not keep bikes forever....no oil related problems in the above time frame.
Last on oil for Burgman----1200cc crankcase, engine works hard as does oil. My take keep it fresh.
Funny thing----in US, hardly anybody rides their scooter enough to wear engine out And I do not believe in long change intervals. Oil is cheap in US
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