Engine really freed up...

[Daddydukes]

Just got my 600 mile service done this morning. It is amazing how much the engine seems freed up after the break-in oil was drained.

And best of all...the price of the 600 service can't be beat! $69.00!!!!! I'm not kidding. These guys did a great job, added a little anti-freeze and also checked the steering head bearing at my request. THey charged me the for the parts and the actual labor to do the job. Not some mocked up price for a "required service."

You can bet I'm gonna stick with these guys.

Keith

 

[Solo]

In reality, an oil change isn't going to make any difference in how your bike feels. With that said, my car and motorcycle always feel strong after services. The reality is that the improvement is all between my ears. Yes, when we've go clean oil we are ready to go on those next miles. Charge on!! But the motor doesn't know the difference. Maybe if the dealer did a throttle sync or something, but not just an oil change.

You've got clean oil, 4000 miles before your next service, so ride on!!

 

[Bigtime]

+1, fresh oil doesn't free the engine.

It's good you're happy with the dealer, but you need to determine if they're really doing you any favors. Did they use Yamalube or a synthetic? $69 is fair, but not a bargain for an oil change using Yamalube.

Did they change the final drive oil? There should be a charge for at least the materials, the Yamaha drive oil is expensive ~$20 to $30 charge. They won’t do it for free, if it’s not listed in materials they skipped it and that’s bad.

Did you ask if they sync’d the throttle bodies as recommended? Some dealers take it on themselves to skip this important step and it's inexcusable. Next time they do the service tell them to write down the before and after on the throttle body sync. The data is fairly meaningless, but it’s the only way to know they did it.

You shouldn’t have to ask them to check the steering head, it’s required at 600 miles and the check is visual, takes about a minute, anti-freeze top off is also a zero.

 

[FZ/FJR Mike]

In reality, an oil change isn't going to make any difference in how your bike feels. With that said, my car and motorcycle always feel strong after services. The reality is that the improvement is all between my ears. Yes, when we've go clean oil we are ready to go on those next miles. Charge on!! But the motor doesn't know the difference. Maybe if the dealer did a throttle sync or something, but not just an oil change.
You've got clean oil, 4000 miles before your next service, so ride on!!

Beg to differ but an oil change can make a huge difference in how a bike "feels". Has on every new one I've bought for sure & especially when I've accumulated enough miles to change to syn oil. Your ride on comment is square on the mark.

 

[Bigtime]

Beg to differ but an oil change can make a huge difference in how a bike "feels". Has on every new one I've bought for sure & especially when I've accumulated enough miles to change to syn oil. Your ride on comment is square on the mark.

I'd like to hear this explained in technical terms. While oil marketing wants us to believe that new oil = better performance; I've never seen a dyno chart or other technical article indicating any measurable engine performance benefit following normal oil change intervals. What's happening when we change oil? At 600 miles there is no real viscosity break down and even at the 3k interval the oils we use do not break down significantly. I don't understand what process is taking place that it's going to "free" the engine. And if we can feel it on our “butt dynos” we absolutely should be able to measure it on a real dyno.

 

[LAGO RUNNER]

Just got my 600 mile service done this morning. It is amazing how much the engine seems freed up after the break-in oil was drained.
And best of all...the price of the 600 service can't be beat! $69.00!!!!! I'm not kidding. These guys did a great job, added a little anti-freeze and also checked the steering head bearing at my request. THey charged me the for the parts and the actual labor to do the job. Not some mocked up price for a "required service."

You can bet I'm gonna stick with these guys.

Keith

Did they sync the throttlebody? I've done everythin else but do not have the tools or know how for the sync.

 

[ShawnKing]

You can bet I'm gonna stick with these guys.

Other folks in your area might want to know who "these guys" are....

 

[Daddydukes]

Yes...changed the oil; Yes...changed the final drive fluids; Yes...checked the torque of the steering head (which is not a visual inspection; No...the throttle bodies were not synced. Guess that's one I made sure of. And, Yes...I still think it was one hell of a price.

Keith

 

[S76]

Yes...changed the oil; Yes...changed the final drive fluids; Yes...checked the torque of the steering head (which is not a visual inspection; No...the throttle bodies were not synced. Guess that's one I made sure of. And, Yes...I still think it was one hell of a price.
Keith

I think that's a good price for what they did. I wouldn't worry about the throttle sync. I try to do it once a year. I would change the rear diff. fluid at each oil change for a few times to get the break in fuzz out then I usually change it every other oil change. At 34K it is now coming out pretty clean each time so I'll probably push it out to every third engine oil change.

I do find improved performance and handling after a good wash and wax though. Maybe it is because after the hard work you appreciate it more? I don't know or care, still feels good.

 

[big ears]

On the boob tube they did an oil change and differential oil change to Royal Purple and on the dyno it showed a small gain in both horses and torque. I believe it was Hot Rod TV. I use the same. Seems to make the shifting smoother but that's just me.

 

[kurt]

Did they sync the throttlebody? I've done everythin else but do not have the tools or know how for the sync.

I have the tools, experience (on other bikes) and the need to do mine too. Seems very straight forward on the FJR according to the "how to" threads.

 

[bandit]

Oil change makes no difference to how the engine feels,Expecially after just 600 miles of use. its all in your head. Broke in many new bikes. Glad you like your service though

 

[El Toro]

Seems to make the shifting smoother but that's just me.

Most guys I know, especially those on Hondas, have this same feeling, i.e., shifts seem smoother after an oil change.

I'm almost ready for my second service on the FJR, but with the AE, all shifts seem incredibly smooth. The only clunk I ever hear is when I go from neutral into 1st, and its a normal clunk.

As for the throttle body synch, if the bike is idling correctly, and pulling smoothly, that would constitute a check in my book. I will do it with gages at the second service (coming up soon), but I didn't see any reason to tear into it at the first service. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. A lot of dealers will take this approach, and if the bike is running well, change the fluids, torque the key bolts (don't want stuff to fall off), and go out and ride.

 

[artistonFJR]

I have to chime in here, as a while back I posted the question about "feeling an HP increase" when switching from dino oil to synthetic. I personally FELT a noticeable difference in power! I'm talking riding for an hour, park, change fluid and filter, ride away. I have no doubt there was a shitload of difference. I also notice a bit louder clunk on the low gear shifts with the syn... I originally posted because I was so freaked by the difference.

C

 

[HotRodZilla]

My bikes always feel better after an oil change. I don't care if it's real or only perceived. I figgure everything is new and fresh and all the little parts have been greased and maybe even cleaned. Glad your happy...No go ride.

 

[SkooterG]

II have no doubt there was a shitload of difference.

Ahhhhhh.............belief, or faith can be a very powerful thing.

No offense, but I have no doubt you are wishfully imagining things. Hey man, you're an artist, no? A bit stronger on the creative side of the brain, than the logical side, right?

But hey, it would be simple to prove me wrong. Go dyno your two different oils.

 

[El Toro]

II have no doubt there was a shitload of difference.

Ahhhhhh.............belief, or faith can be a very powerful thing.

No offense, but I have no doubt you are wishfully imagining things. Hey man, you're an artist, no? A bit stronger on the creative side of the brain, than the logical side, right?

But hey, it would be simple to prove me wrong. Go dyno your two different oils.

+1

The students from our Mini Baja team saw an ad that said that a particular oil would allow your engine to produce more horsepower, so they took it to the dyno. They used their standard oil, and they used the new oil. The results were the same within the resolving power of their dyno. I know this doesn't prove anything general, but its consistent with what I would have expected. If an oil is going to give you more torque, it either has to be sealing the rings better to give you a better compression ratio, or it has to have a lower viscosity to reduce friction losses. Usually these two characteristics are mutually exclusive.

Still, those doggone Hondas sure do seem to stick their shifts better on fresh oil :lol:

 

[odot]

He probably had them change it over to amsoil. Thus the major improvement.

 

[Big Sky]

I do know the feeling, real or imagined.

I just: replaced wheel bearings front and rear, brake pads in the rear, rebalanced the front wheel and replaced the rear tire, double-checked tire pressures, changed oil, cleaned everything thoroughly for the first time in a long while, then went for a 220 mile Sunday ride through the Pioneer Mountains and the Big Hole Valley of Southwest Montana in mid-70s temperatures with some friends who ride a Goldwing.

The FJR, in its seventh year and with 46,000 miles, seemed so smooth, so steady, so stable, so willing to go, stop, turn, so comfortable...even so good looking (painted "Corvette red")... It seems to respond to tender and loving hands-on care, just like a good woman, but I know it is my anthropomorphic imagination (or maybe it has to do with riding with a Goldwing?). Rational or not, it matters not, but it feels good.