Should I change my oil?

[sm00thpapa]

My FZ6R is 3 months old with only 32 miles on it. Should I change the oil now as it could take over a year or more for me to put 600 miles on it. The reason, I am Military in VA and my bike is in Florida and I only ride it when ever I go visit my family. I won't be able to ride it every day till I retire in 2 years. My wife goes to the BRC on 14-15 July. I might have her ride it but I really don't want to if you know what I mean.

I don't think there is any reason you would have to change your oil, that early.

And it can sit there and look gorgeous in your garage, just fine.

[sm00thpapa]

I was just curious since the owners manual says 600 miles or 1 month. How much metal shavings can I accumulate after 32 miles you think? I don't think it's enough to clog the oil filter. I'm just concerned cause it's a new engine and I'm not there to break it in properly.

[reiobard]

Originally Posted by sm00thpapa

I was just curiuos since the owners manual says 600 miles or 1 month. How much metal shavings can I accumulate after 32 miles you think? I don't think it's enough to clog the oil filter. I'm just concerned cause it's a new engine and I'm not there to break it in properly.

I would get it up to a hundred miles or so and change it, the metal havings should be polished up by then and you don't want them sludging up in the bottom of the pan over the year(s). change it now and then again at 600 miles.

[sm00thpapa]

Originally Posted by reiobard

I would get it up to a hundred miles or so and change it, the metal havings should be polished up by then and you don't want them sludging up in the bottom of the pan over the year(s). change it now and then again at 600 miles.

So you recommened 100, 600 and then 4,000?

I read the original wrong, I thought it said you were leaving for 2 years.

You could easily get 100 on the ODO in an hour or so. If you want to change it now, I would go with what he said.

100, 600, 3000. (I personally stop at 3000, that way its easier for me to remember that I need another change once I hit 6000, etc)
No sense wasting money, if you don't have it.

And how are you not out riding it?? I bought my bike on a friday, and by monday, I had already put on 600 miles! That's why you bought it! Go out and ride.

[sm00thpapa]

Originally Posted by wildman

I read the original wrong, I thought it said you were leaving for 2 years.

You could easily get 100 on the ODO in an hour or so. If you want to change it now, I would go with what he said.

100, 600, 3000. (I personally stop at 3000, that way its easier for me to remember that I need another change once I hit 6000, etc)
No sense wasting money, if you don't have it.

And how are you not out riding it?? I bought my bike on a friday, and by monday, I had already put on 600 miles! That's why you bought it! Go out and ride.

I flew to Florida bought it and the next day I flew back to VA and I only go once every 2 months back to Florida to ride it. The owners manual says every 4,000 miles but I may change it every 3,000.

[reiobard]

Originally Posted by sm00thpapa

I flew to Florida bought it and the next day I flew back to VA and I only go once every 2 months back to Florida to ride it. The owners manual says every 4,000 miles but I may change it every 3,000.

I always shoot for 3000 miles for the change, but you can never change the oil too much, just not soon enough.

[Roaddawg]

Why don't you fly down to Florida and RIDE it back to Virginia. Then you can finish break in, change oil, ride it...many birds with one stone. Just curious, why'd you buy it now if you can't hardly ride it? I just hate seeing bikes/cars sit around looking pretty but not being used.

BTW, My sister and brother in-law are in the Navy in the Virginia Beach area.

I changed mine at 200,600,1000, then every 5000 miles. I run a full synthetic oil, so I am not worried about the longer oil change interval. I switched to the full syn oil at 1000 miles. I think I hit dang near 200 miles my first day riding!

Since you are doing many short trips and ride infrequently, there are many contaminants in your oil, staying there for months at a time. Moisture in the oil would be my big concern. I would start riding that bike, short trips are not the greatest for the break in cycle. Since anything after two weeks is considered long term storage, I would prep the bike for that as outlined in the owners manual (basically, change oil, add an ounce of oil to cylinders, top off with fresh gas with a fuel stabilizer, remove battery). The last thing you want is a stuck/corroded piston ring running in bores that are not worn in yet.

My suggestion is either ride it, or set it up for long term storage. Your bike may thank you in the long run.