Oil change

[milesmiles]

So after our ride today it will be time for my first oil change. I've never done it on a bike so i don't know the first thing about it. Should i just take it to a dealership to have it done or try to do it myself. Whats the cost difference?

[DarcShadow]

It's easy enough to do if you have some basic mechanical skills. Usually the only hard part is finding the oil filter. Most sport bikes these days you usually have to take off part of the bottom fairing to get to the filter and drain the oil with out making a huge mess.

There is ongoing discussions about the type of oil but most would agree that the motorcycle oil is not necessary and overly prices. Some can run standard car oil with no issues other have clutch slipping issues so for your first oil change I'd suggest staying away from oils that have "Energery Conservering" on them and you should be fine.

As for the oil filter, you can usually pick up a bike filter at walmart or most auto stores but again they are more expensive then their car couter parts. You can find a car oil filter that has the same thread and diameter as the bike filter, the only differece is the car filter is a bit longer. If your bike has room for it the car filter is the better way to go. Check out this post [url=http://www.fwmr.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=18]Oil Filters[url] for a cross reference to find what type of filter will work on your bike.

[dufremle]

I thought the dealership also did a general check of the motorcycle when you took it in for the first service to make sure everything is good. If they do that you might want to have them do the first service.

[DarcShadow]

True, if it's the very first oil change for the bike having a dealer give it a once over wouldn't be a bad idea.

[milesmiles]

No the bike has 9k on it. I think i might take it to them the first time because i'm tight on time, but after that i want to learn how to do it myself. Thanks everyone

[U-Turn]

I had the dealership replace my Oil and Filter. $124.
Not again will I do that.

[Firewa11]

Hey Miles, if you want to swing by my place I'll be happy to show you how to do it. For a cost reference, for the very best synthetic oil you'll spend about $11.99 / liter, and you'll need to pick up 4 liters, plus a filter (K&N are usually $15). So plan on $60-$70 to do it yourself. Plan on, as Karl said, $100+ to have the dealer do it.

Also, I can spend some time and show you how to do other maintenance on your bike, such as cleaning and lubing your chain, what you need to look for, how to check your brakes for wear, etc, checking tire pressures, etc.

[fireblade]

cycle werks is about the same cost of doing it yourself too. I've had mine done there a couple times when I was in a hurry.

[DarcShadow]

Hey Miles, if you want to swing by my place I'll be happy to show you how to do it. For a cost reference, for the very best synthetic oil you'll spend about $11.99 / liter, and you'll need to pick up 4 liters, plus a filter (K&N are usually $15). So plan on $60-$70 to do it yourself. Plan on, as Karl said, $100+ to have the dealer do it.

Also, I can spend some time and show you how to do other maintenance on your bike, such as cleaning and lubing your chain, what you need to look for, how to check your brakes for wear, etc, checking tire pressures, etc.

You can also get by with $5/quart synthetic oil, and a super tech (wal-mart) oil fiter for about $4. And from various oil fiter comparison web pagest, Super Tech ranks pretty high and is considered beter then several much more expensive filters. I think I spent about $30 to change the oil in my Daytona 650, haven't done the oil on the CBR yet but I'm expecting it to be about the same.

[milesmiles]

Hey Miles, if you want to swing by my place I'll be happy to show you how to do it. For a cost reference, for the very best synthetic oil you'll spend about $11.99 / liter, and you'll need to pick up 4 liters, plus a filter (K&N are usually $15). So plan on $60-$70 to do it yourself. Plan on, as Karl said, $100+ to have the dealer do it.

Also, I can spend some time and show you how to do other maintenance on your bike, such as cleaning and lubing your chain, what you need to look for, how to check your brakes for wear, etc, checking tire pressures, etc.

OMG, i had no clue it cost that much lol. I'm going to check the price at cycle center here in denton, but i will prob take you up on that offer firewa11, plus i need to learn about the other stuff as well. i'll get with you here soon. Thanks man!

[2track]

That is pretty cool firewall. HEY EVERY BODY FIREWALL WILL DO YOUR OIL CHANGE ,CLEAN YOUR CHAIN & CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE FOR FREEEEE! Now That is a Very cool guy. Aint no one ever going to taze him while Im around when he is doin that kinda stuff for everyone.

[Firewa11]

Heh, give a person a fish, they eat for a day. Teach them to fish, and you've got yourself a bitch to do your fishing for you

[fireblade]

if you pay him a little extra you get a happy ending.

[milesmiles]

if you pay him a little extra you get a happy ending.

.....uhhh, i'll pass

[Blizzard_1708]

That is pretty cool firewall. HEY EVERY BODY FIREWALL WILL DO YOUR OIL CHANGE ,CLEAN YOUR CHAIN & CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE FOR FREEEEE! Now That is a Very cool guy. Aint no one ever going to taze him while Im around when he is doin that kinda stuff for everyone.

Firewa11 has always been this way. He maintained my bike for like the first 2 years I was home!!

[2track]

Heh, give a person a fish, they eat for a day. Teach them to fish, and you've got yourself a bitch to do your fishing for you

No really that's pretty cool of you man.

[Firewa11]

How does Sunday sound to have a little maintenance party? We can cap it off with some Faster or something like that?

[2track]

I could proly make that happen. What time are we talking about.

[milesmiles]

I'll be in austin as you know, but i'll beg my friends to come back asap

[Striple]

I need to install some sliders, but don't have a lot of tools. If any of you guys have some of the tools, I'd love to join the maintenance party and put my sliders on while I'm at it. Looks like I need a ratchet wrench (3/8 or 1/2 drive), torque wrench, wrench extension, T55 torx driver, 10mm HEX driver, and a 17mm combination wrench.

[Firewa11]

I pretty much have those. How does Sunday, July 25th (week from this Sunday) sound to everyone?

[milesmiles]

I work on sundays till 7 but i'll try to get off early if possible

[Striple]

Excellent! Pretty much any Sunday works for me!

[Grinner]

Wont know til the fri before if not sat as to whether I will be there.

[2track]

What time are we talking about, cause I couldn't be there until 1 or 2 pm.