Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050

Oily Rag - Dedicated to Pat, Greywolf. 26/06/45 - 04/06/18 => Oil/Lubrication => Topic started by: Beeroclock on June 20, 2017, 16:07:11

Title: Oil change after first 100 miles...
Post by: Beeroclock on June 20, 2017, 16:07:11
Please don't crucify me on this - but am planning on doing an oil change at 100 miles on my new VStrom 650 (600 mile service booked in a few weeks time) - Just wondering I should put in some mineral oil like Silkolene V- Twin or go for semi synth.

I'm not going the full motorman method - but doing some reasonable acceleration/deceleration cycles...

Thanks Philip
Title: Re: Oil change after first 100 miles...
Post by: King Orry on June 20, 2017, 16:12:31
Why.?  :shrug:
Title: Re: Oil change after first 100 miles...
Post by: grumps on June 20, 2017, 16:16:10
Don't waste oil
Title: Re: Oil change after first 100 miles...
Post by: greywolf on June 20, 2017, 16:17:34
Some people like to do an early oil change to get rid of original build swarf ASAP. Any oil that meets the design spec, basically of the correct viscosity for the temperature range and not energy conserving, will work for thousands of miles. The original oil is not a special break in oil. If the plan is to run on the new oil for over 4000 miles, I'd go with synthetic for its resistance to long molecule shearing. Otherwise, non synthetic is fine.

I'm not sure how semi-synth is defined in the UK. If you opt for it for long intervals, pay attention to shifting quality and change the oil before 7500 miles if shifting gets more difficult.

Doing an additional 600 mile change would be a waste of oil. Changing at 100 miles instead of 600 miles is okay.
Title: Re: Oil change after first 100 miles...
Post by: Beeroclock on June 20, 2017, 16:34:44
Hello Greywolf - are you saying the oil that the bike ships with is a standard 10w 40w semi synthetic, not a mineral (thinner) grade oil to aid break in?

600 mile service is for the warranty stamp...
Title: Re: Oil change after first 100 miles...
Post by: greywolf on June 20, 2017, 17:54:20
It's the same oil that Suzuki sells for later use on its bikes. It will test differently because of the assembly lube that is applied to various engine surfaces for the build process getting mixed into the oils as the engine runs for the first time. Very few manufacturers use a special break in oil any more. Liquid cooled engines are better built with tighter tolerances nowadays.

I'm not one of those people who consider an earlier change than 600 miles important. Modern processes leave less swarf behind and the oil filter catches that.
Title: Re: Oil change after first 100 miles...
Post by: SuzukiSte on June 20, 2017, 21:58:37
Why  :shrug: 10w 40w semi synthetic, do not use a mineral Oil no need, but why change the oil at 100 miles anyway? :icon_no:
Title: Re: Oil change after first 100 miles...
Post by: Beeroclock on June 20, 2017, 22:19:13
There are plenty of people out there who believe an earlier oil change makes sense, and the mineral oil is supposed to be better for initial break in. I'm by no means and expert - just some of what I've read makes sense. Reducing the amount of metal shavings seems like a good idea - why else would Suzuki fit a magnetic sump plug...
Title: Re: Oil change after first 100 miles...
Post by: greywolf on June 20, 2017, 22:26:35
The synthetic oil preventing proper break in is 1975 thinking. It isn't the case any more and hasn't been for decades. Most of the swarf is aluminium. Any steel comes from transmission wear over time and, like I said, the oil filter handles it.