Roge said:Things move on oil has improved and Yamaha engines are designed with a service interval so why is still deamed necessary to service a 2010> bike the same as a 1970 one. The book says semi synthetic oil every 10000kms so thats good enough for me
Interesting point... Let's look at that point perhaps a little closer.
Taking a look at the the USA Super Tenere owners manual (part number 23P-28199-10 / LIT-11626-25-09, and available free in PDF format at http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/service/viewmanuals/outdoor_manuals.aspx) we find that it says nothing about using "semi synthetic" oil whatsoever, but instead says the following (on page 9-1):
"Engine Oil: Recommended brand: YAMALUBE
Type: SAE 10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50, 15W-40, 20W-40 or 20W-50
Recommended engine oil grade: API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA"
As for intervals, the USA owners manual says the following (on page 7-7):
"Periodic Maintenance and Adjustment
(under item # 21) Engine Oil:
- 600 miles (1000 km) or 1 month
- 4000 miles (7000 km) or 6 months
- 8000 miles (13000 km) or 12 months
- 12000 miles (19000 km) or 18 months
- 16000 miles (25000 km) or 24 months
- 20000 miles (31000 km) or 30 months"
And it recommends that the oil filter (item #22) be changed at "600 miles (1000 km) or 1 month, then at 8000 miles (13000 km) or 12 months, 16000 miles (25000 km) or 24 months"
Now, let's take a look at the Australian owners manual (part number 23P-28199-21, and available for free in PDF format at http://www.yamahaownershandbook.com.au/index.php)... Regarding recommended oil it says the following (on page 9-1):
"Engine Oil: Recommended brand: YAMALUBE
Type: SAE 10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50, 15W-40, 20W-40 or 20W-50
Recommended engine oil grade: API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA"
Again, no mention of "semi synthetic"... Just Yamalube, the oil weights, and the standards, so I guess they leave it up to the customer to choose whether to use mineral, semi-synthetic, or full synthetic, right?
So what does the Australian owners manual say about intervals? Let's look (on page 7-6):
"Periodic Maintenance and Adjustment
(again under item # 21) Engine Oil:
- 1000 km (600 miles)
- 10000 km (6000 miles)
- 20000 km (12000 miles)
- 30000 km (18000 miles)
- 40000 km (24000 miles)"
And with the oil filter (item #22) the Euro owners manual says it should be changed at "1000 km (600 miles), 20000 km (12000 miles), 40000 km (24000 miles)"
So, we seem to have a bit of a conundrum here...
Basically, here in the USA once you get the bike past the first 600 miles (1000 km) the owners manual says to change the oil every 4000 miles (6000 km), and change the filter every 8000 miles (12000 km)... But in Australia (and also European countries, part number 23P-28199-E0, and available free at http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/eu/services/owner-manuals/index.aspx) the owners manual says to change the oil every 6000 miles (10000 km) and the filter every 12000 miles (20000 km)...
That's a difference between the two manual recommendations for oil changes of 2000 miles (or 4000 km), and difference in filter change interval of 4000 miles (or 8000 km). Hell of a spread, don'cha think?
Which do you recommend? Following the USA manual, or following the Australian (or Euro) manual? ???
And how do you determine whether Yamaha recommends mineral, semi-synthetic, or full synthetic?
And when do you change your filter, Roge? Every other time, or when you change your oil? And what oil do you use? Yamalube or something else? What weight?
Dallara
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