[Monkeywrench]

Hey guys, just a couple fast questions:
I'm looking at the Honda maintenance chart a little surprised. They recommend oil change intervals (engine and clutch side) every 15 hours.

1) I was wondering how many people change more often than that? Does that seem kind of long to go?
I did install an engine hour meter (first thing I did).
I used to do my 250X every 3 riding days (about 3 hours total run-time each "riding day").

2) On replacing the fork oil "after the break-in ride"... I might actually do that this fall/winter (not as soon as Honda recommends, but still....) Did anyone use fork oil other than the stock Honda fluid? Nobody at the track I have talked to seems to like the Honda suspension oil... but coming off a 250X so far I feel like this suspension is amazing.
What are they talking about? Do they mean it doesn't hold up long? If you use a different brand of fork oil, wouldn't that also affect how the valving responds to it, and thus change the suspension characteristics?

thanks guys for your advice,
matt

[Asmith]

I would say most of us change more often than that, but the manual also says to change the piston every 15 hours as well, and I don't know ANYBODY that does that.

The weight of the fork oil is probably more important than the brand. I use the Honda HP 5 wt. Some use Race Tech, some Spectro, but most everybody I know uses 5 wt.

[nedirtbikr]

- Oil (engine & tranny) - Every five hours +/-
- Air Filter - depends on riding circumstances, but always change it at the same time as the oil (most of the time, more often than that.)
- As AS wrote, FORGET that 15 hour piston thing unless you're some kind of Devil rider. I have over 60hrs on mine and fantastic.
- Check valve clearances
- Ride, ride, ride

[124]

Oil change every ride or 2, (sometimes 3) depending on conditions.
Suspension - I didn't touch my suspension for over a year. But OMG - if you have the money, get it rebuilt (revalved) asap. These things handle everything pretty well, except the fast square-edge stuff. After the rebuild, it was awesome everywhere...

[Monkeywrench]

Ok thanks boys. Yup I hear you on the piston... I think that's pretty insane.
Will probably go with something like every 5 hours -- (I'm close to that now, and have noticed the oil in the sight-glass is starting to get darker which might not be a bad way to double-check against run-time hours).

thanks again,
-matt

[Jethro]

im with 124. i change it about every other or 3rd ride. depending upon how long and conditions of the ride. each ride for me is ballpark of 2 to 4 hrs. you know how hard you ride and oil chaanges are very cheap insurance. as far as forks, i am lazy with suspension. i know its dumb. but 124 is right, a revalve is night and day. i have never really seen any difference in fork oil brands but i would stay off the bottom shelf

[Monkeywrench]

Quick caviat to the thread:
you guys changing the filter every-other oil change?
I have heard of more people doing that than I thought I would. Maybe they hold up longer than I am thinking they do?

[Jethro]

usually do a filter every 2nd or 3rd oil change

[Monkeywrench]

ok thanks again, much appreciated.

[Eric Mac]

I take extra oil with me and change it every 1/2 ride.

[Asmith]

I take extra oil with me and change it every 1/2 ride.

Seems to me it would make more sense to just change it twice at the end of the ride...

[124]

I take extra oil with me and change it every 1/2 ride.

Seems to me it would make more sense to just change it twice at the end of the ride...

[djh65]

Not ripping on you but just a funny thought. I can picture slamming on the brakes in the middle of a trail. Changing the oil and back on track. Ok I'm twisted.
David

[Eric Mac]

I only ride slowly to church on Sunday, so after the service....

[Monkeywrench]

You take your 450R to church?!
Why didn't I think of that!