September 30th, 2015, 09:51 AM | #1 |
New Rider
Name: Josh
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 40
|
Question regarding Oil and longevity...
Hey all,
I'm not sure where to put this because the particular bike in question is a Yamaha R6, so I placed it here. Please move it if it's not meant to be here, thank you! Context time: My girlfriend owns a 2004(?) Yamaha R6 with about 8,000 miles on it - 4,000 being hers. She bought it about June of last year. Here's the problem: She hasn't changed the oil on that thing since (EDIT: I'm not even sure if the oil was brand new when she purchased it). As of now, the same oil has been in that engine for at least 15 months. I've already lectured her heavily on the necessity of keeping such a high revving engine properly lubricated (or any engine, for that matter) and the irresponsibility of riding a mechanically compromised motorcycle (potential danger to herself, others around her). My question is: What kind of problems should I look out for? I've read that the piston rings need proper lubrication during the break-in period of the engine to develop good seals, and that in extreme situations you can blow a piston from lack of lubrication, but that's all I really learned from research. Should I be on the lookout for advanced wear? Damage to the rings/rods/block? I just want to be accurate in knowing exactly what issues that can arise from having such old oil in a relatively new engine like that, and so I can pass on that knowledge for the sake of safety for our hobby. Thank you for your help!
__________________________________________________
"The only thing worse than the actions of evil men, is the inaction of good men." |
|
September 30th, 2015, 09:59 AM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jay
Location: CT
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2015 636 ABS - 69 Honda 305 Posts: A lot.
|
I think you should do an oil change on it and then keep riding it....
__________________________________________________
Current - 2015 30th Anniversary Ninja 636 ABS - 1969 Honda 305 Scrambler Previously - 2011 Ninja 1000, 2008 Ducati 848, 2011 Ninja 250 SE |
|
September 30th, 2015, 10:00 AM | #3 |
Rev Limiter
Name: Jay
Location: WI
Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16
|
You aren't going to notice much by running bad/old oil. Frankly, it's hardly worth fretting about at this point - just change the oil!
If cost is a big factor, use Shell Rotella T6 5W-40. If not, there are a lot of good cycle-specific synthetic oil choices. With an engine of that type, good oil is important (it's important for any engine IMO). It's up to her, but if you are a good boyfriend you will help round-up the necessary items (oil/filter) and schedule a deadline for her to do it (with your help of course). Simple basic maintenance. Just like checking tire pressure, adjusting the chain, checking other fluids, etc...all of which may need attention at the same time. |
|
September 30th, 2015, 10:09 AM | #4 |
New Rider
Name: Josh
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 40
|
Will do! Thank you for your quick responses; I just wanted to be sure of what we were looking at. Perhaps I overestimated the potential damage.
Safe riding, everyone!
__________________________________________________
"The only thing worse than the actions of evil men, is the inaction of good men." |
|
September 30th, 2015, 10:44 AM | #5 |
Participant
Name: Dave
Location: South of Seattle
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Aug '15
|
The lubrication and bike maintenance recommendations in this thread are sound.
The relationship advice, however, is unwise. I recommend you avoid lecturing, deadlines, and ultimatums. Make this a bonding/teamwork experience! Best of luck. |
3 out of 3 members found this post helpful. |
September 30th, 2015, 11:03 AM | #6 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
|
There are a few r6 riders here that are very active, me being one of them.
Change the oil/filter optional - Save a sample to send in to analysis if you want Do the other normal scheduled maintenance before it causes other more expensive problems If she has any interest, have her help you do the work yourself. If not... just take care of it yourself.
__________________________________________________
Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
|
September 30th, 2015, 11:06 AM | #7 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
|
Also, 4k miles on a good quality synthetic oil isn't that big of a deal, unless you're riding track/racing, or they're really, really hard miles such as start and stop city traffic. $25 oil changes as needed is cheap engine insurance imho.
__________________________________________________
Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
|
September 30th, 2015, 11:47 AM | #8 |
n00bie to wannabie
Name: Bill
Location: St Ives, BC (Shuswap Lake)
Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R (Red), 2005 VFR800A (Red), CRF450X (Red), 2012 F800GS (Wants to be Red!) Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '15
|
So true! NEVER demand of your significant other an oil change or anything else! Instead; your actions, words and attitude should create an atmosphere where it becomes something they want to do regularly!
__________________________________________________
The Smart Money: #1 - ATGATT, #2 - Training (machine skills and survival skills), #3 - The bike; whatever floats yer boat with the money you have left over |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
September 30th, 2015, 12:23 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
uh... just change the oil regularly from here on out? Maybe keep an eye on the odometer from time to time since she doesn't seem to know that she needs to?
while you're at it, check her car. 3,000 miles on my motorcycle is normal, I see no reason to panic about 4,000 miles. The car gets oil changes every 5,000 miles, but I've let it go to 6,500 miles before. No biggie. here's the great thing. Any oil is better than no oil! |
|
September 30th, 2015, 12:24 PM | #10 |
ChocolateMilk Addict
Name: Maurice
Location: McDonough
Join Date: Mar 2015 Motorcycle(s): '05 EX-250 "Kallie" 85 KLT 110 ATC "Murdock" Posts: 329
|
^^^ +1 homie
__________________________________________________
< ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. Burn Rubber, not your Soul. |
|
September 30th, 2015, 07:52 PM | #11 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16
|
Quote:
Short trips at relatively low speeds and frequent start ups can kill any engine many times faster than old oil. The lubrication system is fed by a pump; hence, as long as there is enough oil level in the crankcase for that pump to suck it up, oil will flow onto all intended parts (even if the filter is too dirty and clogged, because there is a built-in by-pass). Besides accumulated dirt and carbon from combustion, other potential risk is decomposition of oil due to high temperatures and contamination with gasoline or coolant. Please, read this: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Why_Synthetic_Oil%3F These engines will assertively let you know when lubrication has been deficient, even for short periods of time: they can be either properly lubricated or blown apart.
__________________________________________________
Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
|
|
October 1st, 2015, 02:53 AM | #12 |
cadd cadd cadd
Name: Cadd
Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - May '15
|
making a mountain out of a molehill. If you're really concerned, order a testing kit from Blackstone Laboratories. They'll send it to you free of charge.
Collect a sample of the oil when you (make your gf) do the oil change, and send it in. It's not expensive at all. They will email you a nice report telling you all about the oil that was in the bike.
__________________________________________________
Riding it like I financed it. Last futzed with by cadd; October 2nd, 2015 at 07:47 PM. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
October 1st, 2015, 08:14 AM | #13 | |
Rev Limiter
Name: Jay
Location: WI
Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16
|
Quote:
I'm personally very concerned about the oil type and condition of the oil in my cycles. I don't hesitate to run them up to redline any time without concern. I guess I don't really get the Used Oil Analysis (UOA) thing. What are you going to do if it's bad news, but the engine still runs well - pull it apart? I'd rather spend the cost of the test ($25) on top-notch oil. |
|
|
October 1st, 2015, 07:44 PM | #14 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Aaron
Location: Winder, GA
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 718
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
DISCLAIMER: I generally have no idea what I'm talking about. |
|
|
October 2nd, 2015, 02:12 PM | #15 | ||
EX500 full of EX250 parts
Name: Bill
Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI
Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '18 Ninja 400 • '09 Ninja 500R (selling) • '98 VFR800 (project) • '85 Vulcan VN700 (sold) Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
MOTM - Aug '15
|
Quote:
Ideally, you'd do UOAs as frequently as possible when you first get the bike, to get an idea of how quickly the oil wears and to see what's "normal" for your particular engine. Once the pattern is established, you can use that data to establish your maintenance routine and just do occasional UOA spot-checks to make sure nothing weird is going on. Quote:
__________________________________________________
*** Unregistered, I'm not your mom and I'm not paying for your parts, so do whatever you want with your own bike. *** |
||
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
[crash.net - MotoGP] - Dovi: Question mark over hard tyre longevity | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | April 18th, 2015 03:40 PM |
[crash.net - MotoGP] - Dovi: Question mark over hard tyre longevity | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | April 18th, 2015 03:10 PM |
fork oil question | mikedabike64 | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 16 | August 19th, 2014 06:40 PM |
Oil question | Maielstrom | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 1 | August 10th, 2012 11:24 AM |
Oil question | SpYd3r05 | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 4 | May 10th, 2010 05:14 PM |
|
|