I use Lucas 20/50 with a K and P filter with magnets. I like the life time filter and it did cool the bike a little and seem to run a bit smoother. Last is just my imagination I'm sure.

Hey it is me the Road* test pilot checking in. Let me tell you if you miss an oil change by lets say 200-1000 miles I do not think you will be in trouble. Those of you here that remember when I was doing everything short of trying to see what it will take to blow this beast up. I went 12,000 miles on Mobil 1 Syn. car oil 15w50. Hey the bottle said guaranteed for 15,000 miles. Yes it was still only light brown and the viscocity was breaking down a bit. Right now I have 5,000 miles on Castrol 20w50 Syn Blend and still is in good shape but will be changing soon. Take care and God Bless, Brother OSO

smith1j wrote:
According to the manual for my '08 Road Star Silverado "S" you change the oil every 4,000 miles and the oil filter every 8,000 miles.

I would never do this though, just makes sense to change the filter with every oil change.

While we're talking about oil changes what's the concensus about how many miles you should have before switching to full synthetic? The service department where I purchased the bike says they don't believe in using full synthetic due to having a wet clutch. From looking at the differnt forums, using the Mobil 1 V-Twin or Amsoil full synthetics this isn't a problem. They are JASO rated just like the Yamalube dino oil.

I fully plan on swithing to the full synthetic but not real sure how many miles I should have first.

You know I used to think like this, but I decided to try the filter only thing when I rode out to Missouri, I took an oil filter with me and at 4000 miles took the old one off and screwed the new one on. Now I am back home, still riding on the same oil and have two thousand miles to go. Now at almost 6-8 dollars a quart, there is some savings involved!
Plus its not like a car engine, even those are starting to get into the 5000 mile range as oil technology evolves.
As far as how many miles you need to change to synthetic, if the engine is broken in, your good. I would say around 1500 miles of good riding should have you where you need to be.
I mean we change the break in oil at something like 400 miles don't we?
Anyway, I went to Mobil 1 20-50 V twin and couldn't be happier.
Ride on...

hotelfox wrote:
...I decided to try the filter only thing when I rode out to Missouri, I took an oil filter with me and at 4000 miles took the old one off and screwed the new one on...


How much oil did you lose why doing this? Was it that messy? I would think that one might not lose that much actually - especially if you are quick to make the change.

I have been changing the Mobil One 20-50 in my '99 at 4000 miles with a new filter also. The oil always looks good to me... running clear to light brown, although I must admit that I cannot tell whether or not the oil has broken down to the point of uselessness.

At just under $10 a quart I have contemplated running it longer that 4000 miles while keeping an eye on the level and looks of it.


I run full synthetic in my diesel Jetta and change every 10,000 miles on the money... but I know this is not apples and oranges, however I am of the opinion that we may be able to get more miles out of synthetic oils in our motorcycles. Just my two cents worth anyway.

Lakecharles wrote:
hotelfox wrote:
...I decided to try the filter only thing when I rode out to Missouri, I took an oil filter with me and at 4000 miles took the old one off and screwed the new one on...


How much oil did you lose why doing this? Was it that messy? I would think that one might not lose that much actually - especially if you are quick to make the change.

I have been changing the Mobil One 20-50 in my '99 at 4000 miles with a new filter also. The oil always looks good to me... running clear to light brown, although I must admit that I cannot tell whether or not the oil has broken down to the point of uselessness.

At just under $10 a quart I have contemplated running it longer that 4000 miles while keeping an eye on the level and looks of it.


I run full synthetic in my diesel Jetta and change every 10,000 miles on the money... but I know this is not apples and oranges, however I am of the opinion that we may be able to get more miles out of synthetic oils in our motorcycles. Just my two cents worth anyway.

Like I said, the bike is different than a car engine, I didn't loose hardly any oil. In fact I couldn't even tell on the stick I lost any, I had bought another quart to top off, but you know these Stars and there dislike of a full oil tank.
So I twisted off the filter, screwed the new one on. And walla, another 4000 miles of running, still on that same oil and it looks fine. I will change it when I hit the magic 4000 mile mark.
Thats one reason I like K & N filters, they have a wrench fitting on the head of the filter that makes it a breeze to spin on and off.
Howie

Crusierbob wrote:
I use full synthetic 20W 50 Mobil 1 VTwin. I run it 4,000 miles between changes and always use a top quality filter, K&N is my preference. If you use a high grade oil and quality filter there is no need to change as often. In fact we could probably go longer than 4K, but I feel comfortable with that interval. If you do a lot of city driving at slow speed you may want to change earlier.

ditto, this is what I do/use also.

Factoryphoto wrote:
Smith I dont think it matters.. Some say you should wait after 2-3k .. I have a 08 also, I ran 100 miles dumped it and put castrol 20/50 dino oil in it ill hit 600 miles tomorrow and when I get home im going synthetic blend Maxima maxum4 20/50 oil.. Its a ester synthetic base stocks.. Great stuff ill run this for 2500 miles then go to there 100% Maima Extra syn which is the "good stuff" hehe
this one from 600-2500 miles http://www.maximausa.com/products/4stroke/maxum4synthblend.asp
then this one after 2500.. http://www.maximausa.com/products/4stroke/maxum4synthextra.asp
I also like Shell Rotella T dino oil its thick and holds up in the extreme temps we run out mx bikes so I know it would be great in these vtwins.

Thanks for the info. Will check out the Maxima website before deciding what oil to use.

hotelfox wrote:

As far as how many miles you need to change to synthetic, if the engine is broken in, your good. I would say around 1500 miles of good riding should have you where you need to be.
I mean we change the break in oil at something like 400 miles don't we?
Anyway, I went to Mobil 1 20-50 V twin and couldn't be happier.
Ride on...

Thanks for the reply. Already done the first oil change and currently have almost 1700 miles. Will probably make the switch to full synthetic on next oil change.

I went to full Syn at 3000 miles. I cant say that it made it run any quieter or smoother, but the oil still looks clean. I plan on changing it again when I hit the 7000 mile mark later this week.

Bike looks Sharp , JW. BB