How Often Should I Change Oil?

austinlord13
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austinlord13
Edited Date/Time 12/22/2013 7:54am
I started running BelRay EXL 10W-40. Someone let me know if I should use something better or if that oil is bad. But I want to know how often should I change the oil. I'm thinking every ten hours. But that seems kinda long. I dont race and go to tracks about twice a month. Ride trails around my house every other day or so. Please let me know which oil your prefer and how often to change it.

Thanks.
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T-Fish
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T-Fish 6/9/2011 3:33pm
6/9/2011 3:33pm
Mine gets changed every three hours of use, max.
Mstock
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Mstock 6/9/2011 3:46pm
6/9/2011 3:46pm
T-Fish wrote:
Mine gets changed every three hours of use, max.
So once a year? lol If I am going to spend $100 on gas, $20 entry fee, $15 hydration, etc.....and that's to go practice. I will spend the $5 (rotella 15w-40) and change oil in the bike every ride.
CamP
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CamP 6/9/2011 6:13pm
6/9/2011 6:13pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2011 6:18pm
I change mine when I can't remember the last time I did it. That's usually after about 6-8 hours of track time, or 4-5 tanks of gas. I currently run Walmart Supertech 15w40, which is the same as Rotella T. I've been riding/racing 40 years, with cheap and expensive oils, and have never had an oil related engine failure. oil is oil.
T-Fish
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T-Fish 6/9/2011 6:42pm
6/9/2011 6:42pm
T-Fish wrote:
Mine gets changed every three hours of use, max.
Mstock wrote:
So once a year? lol If I am going to spend $100 on gas, $20 entry fee, $15 hydration, etc.....and that's to go practice. I will...
So once a year? lol If I am going to spend $100 on gas, $20 entry fee, $15 hydration, etc.....and that's to go practice. I will spend the $5 (rotella 15w-40) and change oil in the bike every ride.
Three times last year, maybe four. I only put 8.6 hours on the bike after the 300 kit was installed and haven't even started it this year, but I did let a friend take it to do a hill climb. He added a whopping .2 (1/5) of an hour on it and changed the oil for me.

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austinlord13
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austinlord13 6/9/2011 7:14pm
6/9/2011 7:14pm
T-Fish wrote:
Mine gets changed every three hours of use, max.
Mstock wrote:
So once a year? lol If I am going to spend $100 on gas, $20 entry fee, $15 hydration, etc.....and that's to go practice. I will...
So once a year? lol If I am going to spend $100 on gas, $20 entry fee, $15 hydration, etc.....and that's to go practice. I will spend the $5 (rotella 15w-40) and change oil in the bike every ride.
You're a genius! But I hear 15W-40 make the bike run sluggish. Mainly because it is like syrup. I this true?
CamP
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CamP 6/9/2011 11:02pm
6/9/2011 11:02pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2011 11:05pm
austinlord13 wrote:
You're a genius! But I hear 15W-40 make the bike run sluggish. Mainly because it is like syrup. I this true?
No. Unless you get paid to race, you don't need to change the oil every ride either. That will just increase the chance of stripping out the cases where the drain bolt goes into it. Change the oil every 6-8 hours and you'll be fine.
mxb2
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mxb2 6/12/2011 12:45pm
6/12/2011 12:45pm
austinlord13 wrote:
You're a genius! But I hear 15W-40 make the bike run sluggish. Mainly because it is like syrup. I this true?
CamP wrote:
No. Unless you get paid to race, you don't need to change the oil every ride either. That will just increase the chance of stripping out...
No. Unless you get paid to race, you don't need to change the oil every ride either. That will just increase the chance of stripping out the cases where the drain bolt goes into it. Change the oil every 6-8 hours and you'll be fine.
X2
austinlord13
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austinlord13 6/12/2011 6:04pm
6/12/2011 6:04pm
austinlord13 wrote:
You're a genius! But I hear 15W-40 make the bike run sluggish. Mainly because it is like syrup. I this true?
CamP wrote:
No. Unless you get paid to race, you don't need to change the oil every ride either. That will just increase the chance of stripping out...
No. Unless you get paid to race, you don't need to change the oil every ride either. That will just increase the chance of stripping out the cases where the drain bolt goes into it. Change the oil every 6-8 hours and you'll be fine.
So which oil should I run?
CamP
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CamP 6/12/2011 6:11pm
6/12/2011 6:11pm
austinlord13 wrote:
So which oil should I run?
Oil is oil. Run what you want. I go for the $9 a gallon Supertech 15w40 at Walmart.
austinlord13
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austinlord13 6/12/2011 8:02pm
6/12/2011 8:02pm
One more question. Why run 15W-40 instead of 10W-40? And why do some people run synthetic?
CamP
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CamP 6/12/2011 9:48pm
6/12/2011 9:48pm
austinlord13 wrote:
One more question. Why run 15W-40 instead of 10W-40? And why do some people run synthetic?
People run 15w40 because that is typical weight of heavy duty Diesel oils. 10w40 is just slightly thinner. Synthetics can handle higher temps before they get cooked and they last longer, but if you aren't getting paid to race and change the oil frequently, you are probably wasting your money on synthetic oil.
austinlord13
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austinlord13 6/13/2011 2:54pm
6/13/2011 2:54pm
austinlord13 wrote:
One more question. Why run 15W-40 instead of 10W-40? And why do some people run synthetic?
CamP wrote:
People run 15w40 because that is typical weight of heavy duty Diesel oils. 10w40 is just slightly thinner. Synthetics can handle higher temps before they get...
People run 15w40 because that is typical weight of heavy duty Diesel oils. 10w40 is just slightly thinner. Synthetics can handle higher temps before they get cooked and they last longer, but if you aren't getting paid to race and change the oil frequently, you are probably wasting your money on synthetic oil.
So it would be perfectly fine to run 15w40 in my RMZ250?
CamP
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CamP 6/13/2011 3:06pm
6/13/2011 3:06pm
austinlord13 wrote:
So it would be perfectly fine to run 15w40 in my RMZ250?
Yes, your bike will run perfectly fine with 15w40.
austinlord13
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austinlord13 6/13/2011 6:33pm
6/13/2011 6:33pm
CamP wrote:
Yes, your bike will run perfectly fine with 15w40.
Okay. Hope you're not just messing with me, but Thanks.
mx5471
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mx5471 6/13/2011 6:57pm
6/13/2011 6:57pm
Don't matter what type of oil you run or how often you change it. That bike will grenade like they all do if you push it hard and ride fast. Just go slow and have fun,and save $2000.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 6/14/2011 8:16am
6/14/2011 8:16am
Sheer additives.....they are needed to withstand the clutch & transmission grinding the oil. Car & Diesel oils do not have them.......only specifically formulated oils for motorcycles do.

I use the Spectro 4 motorcycle oil and change it around 6-8 hours of operation.

http://www.spectro-oils.com/products/4stroke/spectro4.asp
austinlord13
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austinlord13 6/14/2011 12:28pm
6/14/2011 12:28pm Edited Date/Time 6/14/2011 12:39pm
lumpy790 wrote:
Sheer additives.....they are needed to withstand the clutch & transmission grinding the oil. Car & Diesel oils do not have them.......only specifically formulated oils for motorcycles...
Sheer additives.....they are needed to withstand the clutch & transmission grinding the oil. Car & Diesel oils do not have them.......only specifically formulated oils for motorcycles do.

I use the Spectro 4 motorcycle oil and change it around 6-8 hours of operation.

http://www.spectro-oils.com/products/4stroke/spectro4.asp
I guess I'll just keep running BelRay EXL 10W-40. Or This: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/1/1/551959--motorcycle-oil-10w-40-quar… (Valvoline Motorcycle 10W-40) Because I can get it for free. Has anyone heard anything bad about it?
CamP
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CamP 6/14/2011 2:12pm
6/14/2011 2:12pm Edited Date/Time 6/14/2011 2:36pm
Run the free stuff. Save your money for something that makes a difference, like new tires.

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mx5471
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mx5471 6/14/2011 2:36pm
6/14/2011 2:36pm
I gotta go with CamP on this one.A good friend of mine who was a pro mechanic several years ago told me to run Rotella 15-40 in 2 and 4 strokes. You can get it at walmart. He said it was good oil and good on the clutches.We never had problems with it. Currently my son's running an Rm 250. This is the 4th year on the original clutch,(he doesn't use the clutch a lot),and it's still going good. But if you got free stuff,get all you can,run it ,and stockpile it.
xnationalwrench 6/14/2011 3:01pm
6/14/2011 3:01pm
austinlord13 wrote:
I guess I'll just keep running BelRay EXL 10W-40. Or This: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/1/1/551959--motorcycle-oil-10w-40-quart-by-valvoline-part-vv740.html (Valvoline Motorcycle 10W-40) Because I can get it for free. Has anyone heard anything...
I guess I'll just keep running BelRay EXL 10W-40. Or This: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/1/1/551959--motorcycle-oil-10w-40-quar… (Valvoline Motorcycle 10W-40) Because I can get it for free. Has anyone heard anything bad about it?
As you have seen here you can start a war on which brand oil and even what weight oil to use. You didn't say which bike you have but Valvoline motorcycle oil is a good brand and close enough weight to what you have used so I would go with it.
50dippin
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50dippin 6/16/2011 3:28pm
6/16/2011 3:28pm Edited Date/Time 6/16/2011 3:28pm
all oils are not the same, you can get by with cheap oils if changed very often. Oil like rotella are not designed to be used in a engine that shares oil with the trans will break down very soon and need to be changed every ride. I personally run amsoil mcf 10w-40 and amsoil mcv 20w-50 if I decide to ride the desert during summer (100°F+ temps). I sent a sample to blackstone and had it tested after 10 hours of use and it still met all requirements for new oil. I will usually change the oil every three rides at the track or three trail days, and if im going to the desert for the weekend it gets changed before no matter what.
CamP
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CamP 6/16/2011 9:29pm
6/16/2011 9:29pm Edited Date/Time 6/16/2011 9:31pm
50dippin wrote:
all oils are not the same, you can get by with cheap oils if changed very often. Oil like rotella are not designed to be used...
all oils are not the same, you can get by with cheap oils if changed very often. Oil like rotella are not designed to be used in a engine that shares oil with the trans will break down very soon and need to be changed every ride. I personally run amsoil mcf 10w-40 and amsoil mcv 20w-50 if I decide to ride the desert during summer (100°F+ temps). I sent a sample to blackstone and had it tested after 10 hours of use and it still met all requirements for new oil. I will usually change the oil every three rides at the track or three trail days, and if im going to the desert for the weekend it gets changed before no matter what.
Not sure where you got your info, but Rotella T is MA certified to be used in Japanese motorcycle engines. There is absolutely no reason to change it every ride unless you are racing pro nationals.
PaleBlue
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PaleBlue 6/22/2011 9:38am
6/22/2011 9:38am
Quality modern oils are capable of lasting quite a while. But since most bikes share the oil between the gearbox and the engine, it's the clutch plate debris that dictates the oil change frequency. I use Bel-ray Thumper 10w-40 for my TM 250f and change it every 2 hours. I'm simply following the advice of the guy who runs the TM's for the British Championship MX and Enduro. We only race MX, so longer Enduros don't pose a dilema.Smile
Panic_Rev
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Panic_Rev 11/20/2013 8:41am
11/20/2013 8:41am
I run Motul 300v full synthetic. This is sad to say, but my bike hasn't moved all year long. Never ridden, never started. My question is: does oil break down over time? I will change the oil before my next ride to be safe, but do I have to?
mxb2
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mxb2 11/20/2013 9:26am
11/20/2013 9:26am
Panic_Rev wrote:
I run Motul 300v full synthetic. This is sad to say, but my bike hasn't moved all year long. Never ridden, never started. My question is...
I run Motul 300v full synthetic. This is sad to say, but my bike hasn't moved all year long. Never ridden, never started. My question is: does oil break down over time? I will change the oil before my next ride to be safe, but do I have to?
$10 oil change vs peace of mind , easy decision. Better safe than sorry IMO.
mx5471
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mx5471 11/20/2013 4:23pm
11/20/2013 4:23pm
A Kawasaki mechanic told me that no matter what the sponsorship was, they ran Rotella Red. Good for motor,and good for clutch.I ran it for 12 years in 2 and 4's. Never a problem.
Arkmx
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Arkmx 11/21/2013 11:42am
11/21/2013 11:42am Edited Date/Time 11/21/2013 11:43am
.

I will chime in for the Lucas Oil 10w-40 Semi Synthetic.

A tip is to add 10% of the Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer to the total refill capacity (90% oil / 10% HDOS) when doing your oil changes. If not comfortable using the 10w-40 there is a 20w-50 available or even the 15w-40 TBN Diesel oil too. The HDOS will not make your Clutch slip!

The “Synthetic Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer” may cause slipping if too much is used. (I experienced that during our 50cc days mixing / adding with full synthetic 5wt oils).

My oldest Step son uses the 10w-40 in his bikes (250F & 450F) for the past few years, races in the +25 and Pro classes and experiences no problems whatsoever with the 10w-40 or the 20w-50 mixed as mentioned above.

At the time (2 years ago now) our 2008 KX 85 has only gone through 1-set of clutches during four plus seasons of races and non-race practice sessions, using the 10w-40 set-up described above. (Trace could still pull Holeshots on a 3 year old clutch). Trace has since moved up to the KX 125 - 250F.

Oh yea... 4 to 6 hours between oil changes and you should be fine.

.
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JM485 11/21/2013 5:36pm
11/21/2013 5:36pm Edited Date/Time 12/4/2013 9:43am
I just change mine every 2-3 rides. I used to run regular Valvoline and never had a problem, but I switched to Castrol motorcycle oil since I could get it for the same price. The weird thing is, any time I change the oil on my Hondas, the oil is always black, but the oil that comes out of my Suzuki or Yamaha has never even turned grey. I'm assuming it is the type of clutch, but I am by no means hard on clutches, I have never had to change one in any of my bikes.
CBailey306 12/3/2013 7:38pm
12/3/2013 7:38pm
mx5471 wrote:
Don't matter what type of oil you run or how often you change it. That bike will grenade like they all do if you push it...
Don't matter what type of oil you run or how often you change it. That bike will grenade like they all do if you push it hard and ride fast. Just go slow and have fun,and save $2000.
go slow and have fun? thats not possible.
CC268
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CC268 12/11/2013 7:02pm
12/11/2013 7:02pm Edited Date/Time 12/17/2013 1:30pm
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