When to Start Synthetic Oil

[Kelvininin]

Change over any time you want. I use rotella T6.

 

[RossKean]

Here's a suggestion:
1) RTFM.

2) Do what it says.

These two simple steps have never failed anyone.

Dan

Unless, of course, you use the manual's recommended RPM shift points!

 

[bergmen]

Here's a suggestion:

1) RTFM.

2) Do what it says.

These two simple steps have never failed anyone.

Dan

Unless, of course, you use the manual's recommended RPM shift points!

Speaking only of oil here.

Dan

 

[hppants]

The consensus here is being very kind to the OP, and with good reason. He admittedly comes from the BMW, and we all know what that means - anal retentive maintenance schedules, followed by pre-mature driveline failures and VERY expensive "dealer only" repair bills.

But the FJR is a Yamaha. It's 14 years in with very little significant changes in the driveline, except for the 16/17 6-speed gear box. This platform is bulletproof. It was built right from the word go, and even though not necessary, was improved slightly along the way.

This is a bike that is made for the true sport touring rider. The one that will ride 500 miles for a piece of pie. The one that would much prefer to actually ride the bike, rather than stand around playing pocket pool talking about riding. The one that wakes up on a nice Saturday morning and says to him/herself "Gee, I think I'll do an Iron Butt Ride today... Honey, I'll be home after a while." FJR riders don't contemplate and re-think rides because "that might put too many miles on my bike" and "I wonder if the bike can make it that far and back". We gear up, throw a leg over, hit the button, pull the clutch, and go.

This is a true story. Through my own ridiculous and inattentive stupidity, I once rode (unknowingly at the time) about 60 miles in 95 degree weather at 75-ish mph with ZERO oil in my differential Rear Axle Gear Case Assembly!!!! I stopped at a fishing village and saw oil splatter on my rear wheel and realized that I hadn't tightened the drain plug properly. I walked into a bait shop, bought a pint of no-name outboard lower unit oil and a fishing cork. I transferred the fill plug to the drain plug and used the fishing cork as a fill plug.

Then I rode another 50 miles home.

This bike is absolutely bulletproof.

Please do whatever makes you feel better. But above all, and in the true spirit of sincere reason, ride A LOT more and stress A LOT less.

 

[bergmen]

Just nit-picking here but motorcycles do not have "differentials".

Dan

 

[hppants]

Right you are!! I suppose literally, in order for it to be a differential, there would have to be 2 (or at least 2) drive wheels.

The correct term is "Rear Axle Gear Case Assembly", as described on the official Yamaha OEM parts breakdown.

Previous post corrected, thanks.

 

[Spud]

Just nit-picking here but motorcycles do not have "differentials".
Dan

Unless it's a darksider. If there's a car tire on it, then I'm calling it a differential.