Got my RK delivered late in the riding season so I was only able to put about 350 miles on it so far....tomorrow might be the last decent day around here for riding and am hoping to maybe get 50 more miles in. After that it more than likely will go into hibernation

With that being said should I do an oil change with that amount of miles or wait until next spring when I'll be close to 1000? I know you shouldn't leave motor oil that has a bunch of miles on it in there but what about 400 miles? Usually I might say it is all good until spring but since the engine is new and just breaking in would it be wise to get that oil out and new stuff in for the winter?

If the answer is change it, what about the other 2 holes? I'm coming off a VTX so one hole , one fill takes care of all.


Thanks

 

I wouldn't change the oil(s) until 1000 miles, winter or not.

 

I changed mine with 100 miles on it, and truth be known I should have probably changed it twice by 100. When you hold up the oil in the sunlight you can see can see kind of see a "gold like" sheen to it, not too mention black clumpy/sort of flaky break in stuff.
Anyway I changed it 4 tmies by the time that I hit 2K and that's when I put synthetic oil in it. I think I changed it 100, 500, 1000 and 2000.

 

Normally with 400 miles on the oil I'd wait until spring.
When my bike was new I changed the oil at 500 miles. I change oil every 2500 miles. As winter approaches I'll change it (not the filter) before storage if I have over about 1000 miles on it. Then when I hit the 2500 mark (which = 1500 or less miles on the oil I put in before winter) I'll change the oil and filter.
Oil changes are cheap insurance if you do them yourself.

 

I would wait, the oil should still be like new

 

There's no reason on Earth to change the oil now. It'll be just fine if you leave it in 'till 1,000 miles.

 

Really no wrong answer here....

Not enough exhaust contaminates in the oil at 400 miles to worry about plus on these bikes changing at 1,000 after breakin's soon enough.

If it was mine I might leave the filter on and just swap 3 quarts out for 3 fresh quarts just cause it's a new bike and just for the hell of it,but wouldn't feel it was necessary.

Congratulations on the new RK....Here's hoping you get 650 miles worth of good weather so there's no doubt !

 

...and I say change it.

any contaminates in the oil will be carried out.- acids and moisture build up

do you really want dirty oil sitting in your bike all winter?

fresh oil will keep your bearings nice and corrosion free.

oil is cheap and the last place to try saving a buck.


if you want to save a buck, stay away from all the "live to ride" stuff.


if you decide to change - remember that the oil drain is FACING the front of the bike, on the left front of the oil pan.

( the tranny drain is on the right side of the oil pan facing down)
I would think you tranny and primary fluids will be fine until the service interval

MK

 

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

If three quarts of oil would BREAK you.....leave it alone.
If it worries you too much, change it.
400 miles? It's new oil!!!! I think it can sit for a month or two.

chuck