I am getting ready to change the oil for the 1st time. I was wondering what everyone recommends for oil? I was thinking about just using the Yamalube. What weight oil should I run for spring? 10w40 or 20w50? Any other brands that are better? Someone also told me to not use synthetic and I had another say use synthetic.
The weight of motor oil you run depends on the temperature range you ride in. I'm in Texas so I run 10w40 without issue.
As far as what oil to run...any quality motorcycle oil will work just fine so long as you change it when you're supposed to and use a quality filter. Yamalube is good stuff but it's honestly way overpriced. It WILL NOT void your warranty if you run a different brand. The bike mechanics I’ve talked to said there’s really no advantage to running synthetic over the modern conventional stuff. Despite what many would like to believe synthetic oil doesn't give you more hp, make the engine run cooler, or make it last any longer. I wanted to run something that was widely available at large national retailers so I wouldn't be stuck with ordering on line. I run conventional Valvoline 10W40 4-Stroke Motorcycle Oil with the OE filter and have no issues.
As for the oil filter…this is just as important as the oil itself and is often overlooked. I think OE is the best filter you’re going to find. Just because an aftermarket filter will thread on and “fit” doesn’t mean it’s going to properly work. Motorcycles require a specific oil filter pressure relief valve on the filter in order for the filter to work for a specific engine. Ever notice how you can cross-reference a Yamaha filter to an aftermarket one and the aftermarket one will show to work for 10 different bikes…but not all 10 of those different bikes use the same OE filters? That’s because of the relief valve requirements. If the relief valve tension isn’t designed correctly for the specific engine then it won’t operate properly and you could get zero oil filtration…which obviously isn’t a good thing.
