What mileage did you do this at? Just wondering, as there is a ton of metal in that oil. I just picked my bike up today and put 100 miles on it, gonna change the oil soon.

With that in mind, does the Versys require a moto-specific oil with friction modifiers? Or can I run basic automotive oil? I really want to get synthetic in it, as I don't have a vehicle without it, but I'm gonna give it a few thousand before I go that route.

Thanks,
B-

 

I changed my oil at 595 miles. I'd expect that much metal during break-in. I used motorcycle oil, specifically JASO MA rated (during the warranty period). You can use automotive oil, just make sure the API Donut symbol on the back DOES NOT say Energy Conserving. Pick your favorite brand of 10W40 and have at it. Mine took more than 2 quarts so buy 3 just in case.

 

Nice write-up. The only tip I would add: If you are changing the oil on the kick stand, tilt the bike straight up or even to the non-kick stand side just a bit to help drain out the last bit of oil.

 

one correction - step 7 is actually step 1 ;-)

Perhaps it should be step b; as in 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b and 6b?

 

Yes and yes! I did oil changes on my bikes for years without a torque wrench-but now I have one, I do 90% of wrenching with one.

You can use it for changing wheels, tightening the chain, loads of applications on the V.

If you get a torque wrench get a service manual. Think there is a down load on this site-if not PM me.

If you are in the US, try www.harborfreight.com they have a variety of torque wrenches. Then of course you'll need some big sockets 27mm/24mm for the rear wheel and some large hex/allen wrenches for the front.

Money well spent, but anything to do with bikes is right?

Machog

 

No services are required at 10,000 miles. If you are nearing the one or two year in-service mark (depending on your country) you may want to check the owners manual for recommended yearly checks/adjustments.

 

thanks for the post. i am not a very hands on type of guy and i am clueless on most of this, part of this is just because i had never tryed any of it before.. I am going to try my next oil change on my own... this should help alot... but i think im missing the parts i need for step 7... i think i may stop and pick up what i need on the way home from work

 

Mobil says their motorcycle oil IS different
(link at 'oil filter' thread) than automotive.

Good pictorial. I use rubber-covered gloves
if I'm on my way to a date (also helps if the
oil is hot, which helps get more dirty oil out).

Never thought of changing the filter more
often than the oil. What a slick idea!

 

Probably a dumb question but here goes: where can I buy a drain plug crush washer?

 

Any parts house should have one to match,
unless you want to make your stealership rich...

Edit: I actually have read dumb questions (not
to mention asking one or two myself) but you
have to work a little harder. The only dumb
question is the one nobody asks, assuming
everyone else knows and may leak by accident.

 

Maybe you could get some here. http://www.magneticdrainplug.com/Motorcycle_Drain_Plugs/MP01.html

 

Probably a dumb question but here goes: where can I buy a drain plug crush washer?

I've used the same one without any problems for the last 20 oil changes, just because it says crush washer doesn't mean you have to crush it.

 

I have always used Mobil One Synthetic 15W-50 on my bikes, starting with the third oil change. (first one conventional, second a blend) I have never had any problems with it. Has anyone ever had any problems using auto synthetics on a wet clutch bike? Anything Versys or 650R related?

 

Hi Potus2012,

I guess it's a ongoing warranty issue using auto oil in our bikes.
Jap bike like their JASO oil rating.
Have so far not heard anything bad about them.
My brother used auto oil for his KLR for long time.
Had a BM so gearbox and engine were separate. Used auto oil for 288,000 km.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-386075.html
Read a discussion on the auto/bike oil debate.

Thanks.

 

Mobil 1 for bikes

Well, Mobil specifically doesn't recommend using their
automotive oils in bikes, for starters...

What do Mobil 1 Motorcycle Oils offer that Mobil 1 for cars does not?

 

Using Silkoline Pro 4 Fully synt 15W-50. My V like her red Ribena.

Got some info on JASO oils and JASO approved oil list. Please read pages 2-4.

Thanks.

 

Thanks for this. Just did an early oil change at 200 mile. One question. I used Kawasaki Motorcycle Engine 10w-40 oil (about 2.3 quarts) and an OEM Kawasaki filter with new crush washer. I didn't have any tin foil to use as a guide and a little oil got onto the pipes. After letting it run for a minute or so, I'm seeing some smoke. I'm assuming that's just the oil burning off the pipes and will go away shortly, correct? When I tilt the bike up so it is level (not leaning on the kickstand), the oil level is right in the middle of the two marks on the sight glass....That IS where it should be, right?

 

I just did my first oil change and I took a few pics to document the process. It's super easy on the Versys, so even newbies should feel confident about chaning their own oil.

It's almost too easy to bother documenting, but it may help somebody...

Thanks Don !! Just picked up a new filter at the dealer I just went over the 300 mile mark
today! I had a blast So. Cal in the Mellow boo mts. Old Tapanga cannon road to Mulhulland to the Rock Store for breakers then the ride through the twisties down to PCH
and home to San Pedro (Smell A Harbor). But I love it here.
Just a question do you here any clicking sounds coming from your V.?
I went to the dealer and they said not to worry
it was a normal sound. Thanks for the info for the oil change,
Top Cat

 

HackTracker,

Great job documenting this!! Was definitely useful to me yesterday...

It was very difficult for me to get the old oil filter out yesterday, even though I used the oil filter wrench. Called Cycle Gear here off Tryon Road, Raleigh and the guy was just closed for the day. However, he offered a tip that I'd like to share.

The tip is - Drive a screwdriver through the oil filter from about an inch from the outer end and wrench it out. You'll damage the old one....so use this idea only if you're replacing it. Fair Warning - Be prepared for the mess as you have a good amount of oil that'll come out! Hope it is useful to someone else in a pinch.

Cheers

 

Great tips/documentation everybody! I appreciate this forum more than I ever thought I would.

Quick question- someone had posted a magnetic drain plug- is this to pick up the bits/pieces of metal running through the oil? I haven't changed my oil yet, so is the Versys drainplug magnetic? Last one- a) INYO, do I need to buy a new crush washer for each oil change? Going to change it sometime this week, I'll post photos.

+ How "dangerous" is it to hand tighten my oil filter, opposed to utilizing a torque wrench?

 

Getting all torqued

Torque could be misleading if you don't oil the
gasket. Otherwise most filter manufacturers
specify an approximate amount of hand tightening
beyond contact. Too loose and you could blow
a seal and lose your engine. Most of us seldom
if ever change the drain plug gasket unless it's
deformed or leaking.

The service manual sez:

Torque - Oil Filter: 17.5 N·m (1.8 kgf·m, 13 ft·lb)
NOTE
○Hand tightening of the oil filter can not be allowed since
it does not reach to this tightening torque.

I guess the Japanese have weak wrists.

 

I have always used Mobil One Synthetic 15W-50 on my bikes, starting with the third oil change. (first one conventional, second a blend) I have never had any problems with it. Has anyone ever had any problems using auto synthetics on a wet clutch bike? Anything Versys or 650R related?

I have been using synthetic (Mobil-1) on my 1300 Honda VTX since mile 600 - it now has 34,000 miles on it. No issues with wet clutch or otherwise.

 

I use Wallyworld, have done for 4-5 changes. Only difference is the length, I use the longer ones-longer is better right??
WalMart SuperTech ST6607 2.5"
WalMart SuperTech ST7317 3.25"

Machog

 

I'm pretty sure the super-tech numbers you listed are the same I used on the FZ-1. If that's the case then filters from the Fz1 should fit the Versys. Correct?

If so, taken from the FZ-1 site:
Purolator Pure One PL14610
Mobil 1 M1-110
Bosch 3323
WalMart SuperTech ST7317

These should fit and save you a couple from the dealership. I always used the super-tech filters. Never had a problem.

 

Don't know if this will works on our Versys.
Read this in a Harley magazine.
An interesting concept though and Not trying to confuse anyone.
http://www.roguechopper.com/about.htm