Oil changes

[HotRodZilla]

Wait a second...I'm supposed to believe that grown adults are too stupid to figure out what kind of oil to use in a motorcycle? The owners manual lists the type and weight for those easily confused.

And "best" oil is very subjective. I would bet 4 different bikes with four different brands of oil would have very similar test results.

What's irritating is that this platform has been in the US for 10 years now. Asking what brand of oil is best is stupid because the person asking has to be a tool if they don't think its ever been brought up before.

That would be like going to a Power Stroke Forum and asking which brand of diesel is "best." Stupid question that deserves a stupid answer.

If the answers hurt your feelings, maybe YOU should be the one to move on...Unless you asked the dumb question...Then you should learn how to search, take some ribbing, and be an adult.

 

[LAF]

It seems to me that a common question, especially from someone new to the FJR world or to this forum, would be about the 'best' oil to use in their machine. Just because some of the old-timers have beat the oil discussion to death, doesn't mean that the question is not reasonable or doesn't require a considerate answer. Unless you've been in the 'oil discussion' before in these forums, you've no way of knowing that some members on here actually appear to be offended (or pretend to be so) by someone bringing up the topic.To me, the 'offended response', is just bad etiquette at best.

This is a great forum and a number one source of information but this seems to happen often.

Better idea; if you are not answering in offering a useful reply, why not just either keep rude comments to yourself or better yet, refer the inquirer to the area on the forums where his/her question is answered?

Just an observation.

The nicest thing I can say is a search would have provided hours of reading on this topic. And that is any Forum concerning cars or bikes. I just bought a new Honda Accord Coupe little six speed. When I joined that forum I did a search on what oil. Since we are using 0-20W I was very curious what everyone used, Just about as many varied answers as any other Forum.

My point is use the search and any stickies on the particular Forum and you will find the answers without nauseating the members. If you do not use the tools provided you are doing yourself a disservice and the Forum also, as someone took the time to compile the information that is right there for you to use. It makes you look stupid or lazy.

 

[ionbeam]

<inverter>

The WORST oil you can use has the API energy conserving rating and any oils that have friction modifiers because of the FJR's clutch. I would opine that oils for older engines that swell seals isn't such a good choice either. (Some early FJRs had valve guide failures because the stem seals were too tight.)

</inverter>

AFAIK, no motorcycle engine has failed solely due to engine oil as long as it is mainstream oil and changed on a reasonable schedule. AFAIK, no motorcycle engine 'wore out' early due to engine oil. Phosphorus is a key anti-wear component in motor oil, zinc dithiophosphate am real gooder in engine oil. It's nearly impossible to go wrong if you follow the broad guidelines in the owners manual.

Remember that companies that tell you additives, modifiers and cleaners need to be added to make ordinary oil better are -- trying to sell you something

 

[bgross]

Re: "Forum Culture"

It's okay, when you're a noob, not to know how things "work". You can either fly under the radar until you figure a few things out, or you can... Get surprised, and maybe embarrassed.

It's like traveling to foreign lands and expecting the people there to adapt to your lack of familiarity - and suggesting that they are rude if you didn't do your homework before leaving home. ("What's wrong with these Italian waiters? Why do I have to ask for butter for my bread? Why do I always have to ask for the check?!")

The information you seek is here, conveniently filed. It's how we do things here - a lot more efficient than you might imagine.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans."

Now about those tires....

 

[FJRBluesman]

I get mine down at McDonalds. It's cheap and my exhaust smells like french freedom fries.

Mike I get better organic oil form pimples.... Just sayin'.

What's up? Suddenly a rash of oil threads.... that won't die!

 

[Dale2010]

It seems to me that a common question, especially from someone new to the FJR world or to this forum, would be about the 'best' oil to use in their machine. Just because some of the old-timers have beat the oil discussion to death, doesn't mean that the question is not reasonable or doesn't require a considerate answer. Unless you've been in the 'oil discussion' before in these forums, you've no way of knowing that some members on here actually appear to be offended (or pretend to be so) by someone bringing up the topic.To me, the 'offended response', is just bad etiquette at best.

This is a great forum and a number one source of information but this seems to happen often.

Better idea; if you are not answering in offering a useful reply, why not just either keep rude comments to yourself or better yet, refer the inquirer to the area on the forums where his/her question is answered?

Just an observation.

The nicest thing I can say is a search would have provided hours of reading on this topic. And that is any Forum concerning cars or bikes. I just bought a new Honda Accord Coupe little six speed. When I joined that forum I did a search on what oil. Since we are using 0-20W I was very curious what everyone used, Just about as many varied answers as any other Forum.

My point is use the search and any stickies on the particular Forum and you will find the answers without nauseating the members. If you do not use the tools provided you are doing yourself a disservice and the Forum also, as someone took the time to compile the information that is right there for you to use. It makes you look stupid or lazy.

Perhaps I should clarify that I was not the one who asked the 'dreaded oil' question.

Although I don't profess to know everything about oil, I probably know enough to get by. More importantly, I do feel that there are a number of things that new riders/owners should know about oil that is 'not' in the owner's manual and may not be common knowledge (e.g. why to not use automotive synthetic oil? why it's a waste of money to spend the extra for standard oil specifically labeled for motorcycles, why riders should not spend more for a motorcycle company labeled oil, and so forth).

As a long time rider and past Yamaha dealer, service personnel trainer, and motorcycle riding instructor, etc., I've found over the years that there are a great number a questions that new riders and new motorcycle owners should ask. Many times they simply don't know where to look for legitimate information. In fact I just did a search for 'Yamaha FJR oil' and this very thread came up as one of the suggestions.