[gshankar]

Hey,

Oil drain periods are mentioned in the user's manual - varies slightly for different bikes / cars, but is generally 6 months; 5000 km, whichever is earlier. For cars - I its 8-10000 km

Anything lesser - will be a royal waste.

I had a suzuki 2 stroker - used to change oil every 6-7000km - no probs.

If you use a better oil (like Castrol GTX Magnatec / Mitsubishi 15W40) then slightly longer drain intervals. The longest interval I took was 12000 km (mitsubishi) and the shortest was 4500 (Lal Ghoda :P)

[F1amit]

Hi Guys,

I own a Honda Unicorn sports bike and have done almost 5 K on ODO by now. Bike is due for the 4th servicing in 2nd week of January. In all 3 servicings earlier, I had changed engine oil.

Bike has clocked almost 2.5K KM after 3rd servicing. Do I need to change the oil in now? Would like to know from experts, after how many KM engine oil should be changed?

Cheers,
Amit.

[rider60]

depends on what oil grade(/brand) you choose to use and your usage.

well if you dont ride the bike past 4 rpm at any cost then changing the oil every 5K KMS is just fine and a 20W40 grade is fine!

if you do rip your bike then once in a while then change the oil sooner by 1000 to 1500 kms that is at every 3500 to 4000kms the same grade!

if you rip it periodically above 6rpm then the oil change is needed much sooner say every 3000kms and i would suggest you 20w50 grade oil for the bike! the shell helix or castrol GTX should be just fine and you will definitely have smoother gear shifts with this better grade oil!

even if you put in a higher grade oil i would say the equation is lesser the oil change intervals more is the engine life! this higher grade will cost more by about 50 bucks but worth it for the price!

the above said this i suggested are suggested according to the minimal cost maintainance plan,

if you want a good smooth engine, and a long engine life then i would say,

as a rule of the thumb, change the oil every 3000kms and use only the 20w50 grade, or change the oil every six months even if the bike sits idle, as you know even the oil does become old!

[F1amit]

Thanks rider 60 for your comments

[amit_mechengg]

oil change depends on the oil itself...i have found that shell lasts longer than castrol...and price also less....

put mobil synthetic and it will last for 10k kms....its best for unicon

[Ho0ligaN]

20w50 is not the recommended grade for unicorn, dont use it.

castrol gtx is not for bikes, dont use it.


get motul 3000 4t plus 20w40, I have been using it for almost an year now, real good oil 160 bucks a liter.

[rr_zen]

Originally Posted by amit_mechengg

put mobil synthetic and it will last for 10k kms....its best for unicon

Have you tried this yourself ? I have had a few people tell me that synthetic oil is not advisable for bikes (esp four stroke ones) as they lead to increased clutch slippage. I would love to go in for Mobil 1 but want to have some first hand information from some one who has used it in his Unicorn.

[Sankar]

rr_zen what you heard is correct. The only synthetic oil which can be used in motorcycle engines is the Motul 300V which is designed for motorcycles with a wet clutch. The automobile synthetics would induce clutch slippage. It doesn't matter if it's a two-stroke or a four-stroke motor.

The only bike in India which can use any synthetic oil is the Bullet and it's cronies. These engines don't share the engine oil with clutch casing.


F1Amit, you can use the Castrol Magnatec in your bike, it's semi synthetic and a very good oil. It doesn't induce clutch slipping i have tried it in my old RX and in the bullet clutch casing.

[Ajaybiz]

If you are using the oil supplied by Showroom then every 2k you have to replace the oil.Go through the manuals given by Honda.

[muneemmk]

So the question Is, in one simple word is it worth to spend 800rs(MRP rs.1000) on a liter of full-synthetic Mobile1 5W50 instead of the Honda Recommended Idemistu 20W40 at Rs.174 ?


P.S it's for my Unicorn.

[ibm_jennifer]

My Pulsar is running in Castrol Magnetec with NULON Oil Additive. But the Engine sound is reduced almost 50% than my previous Oil.

[dinar]

I have been using Mobil 1 in my First gen Pulsar 180, no problems yet with the bike, do not use it much since three years now but the bike has done 45000 km on this oil and no problems at all.Interval for oil has been kept at around 5000km but I get the oil filter cleaned every 5000km also. [which most bike mechanics and *** do not do].
A friend of mine changes oil every 7000km for same model, no problems on that bike too, but he too gets the filter cleaned.
Our bikes where used mostly for touring and non stop 300km-400km rides and high speed rides on closed track [collage ground ] that why we used this oil, if your a city rider and do not do any high speed riding [consistent 100kmph and above] than any company recommended oil will do and stick too the change interval, and you'll be fine.or if you are really want to get synthetic oil than mobil 1 or shell advance is good, you can go up in the interval for change with no problem only see that you get the oil filters cleaned regularly.

[Gregory]

Isn't 5000-7000KM a bit too much for mineral oil? for bikes the manual says 2000-2500KM.

[simply_sunny001]

Originally Posted by ibm_jennifer

My Pulsar is running in Castrol Magnetec with NULON Oil Additive. But the Engine sound is reduced almost 50% than my previous Oil.

hey ibm_jennifer

you have a thing for the ADDITIVES ?

[ibm_jennifer]

you have a thing for the ADDITIVES ?

It just cost me Rs. 100 for a NULON bottle for 2 wheeler. Even if its not doing any good, its not harmful to the engine. And personally I feel some performance with this additives.(may be a temporary effect!!!). As I cant afford a Synthetic Oil, I uses a Semi-Snthetic+Additives. But definitely I will move to Synthetic, if I can buy one litre for Rs.250+100