oil change questions

bluehose2012 · 07-21-2012, 10:07 PM

hi, I've been reading through posts about changing oil and filter.

should I use regular or synthetic oil? 10W-40? motorcycle specific?

what filter does it take? can I get one at a local auto parts place or online?

I'm changing it because it looks pretty black. I bought the bike used, and the guy said he recently changed it but not the filter. I've gone about 1000 miles since getting the bike, and I just want to be on the safe side.

any other thoughts or input? thanks so much.

Water Warrior 2 · 07-22-2012, 12:04 AM

Any motorcycle specific 10-40 oil will do. You can also use a non moto specific oil if you want. You must however be sure they do not contain any ingredients such as friction molifiers and labelled as energy conserving. Dino or synthetic is your choice but I have had very good results with plain old Shell Rotella 15-40. It is cheap and certified for moto use by Shell. You could also use Rotella synthetic 5-40. Still cheap compared to other synthetics.
Filter wise you can go to Suzuki or elsewhere. HiFlo make the HF136 filter for the GZ and is a common filter for many smaller engines. Check out local small engine repair shops, auto parts stores or online for the best price and availability.
You will need 1300 mm of oil for the change. Oil and filter require 1400 mm of oil. Buy two qts and you have lots left over to top up with when needed.
Be sure to check the oil level in the sight glass with the bike held upright. If it is leaning on the side stand the level will be incorrect and you will overfill it.
Keep in mind that some oils will change color soon after an oil change. That not a bad sign. It just happens.

Rookie Rider · 07-22-2012, 12:08 AM

WW, that was perfect, cant give a better explamation then that. High 5

Water Warrior 2 · 07-22-2012, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rookie Rider

WW, that was perfect, cant give a better explamation then that. High 5

Not only that, I left out the part about paper towels to catch the small bit of oil when removing the oil filter cover. Just adds to the excitment a little. :whistle:

Rookie Rider · 07-22-2012, 07:21 AM

Oh yeah. Well then....... Then you get a low 5. hahaaaa.

bluehose2012 · 07-22-2012, 11:27 AM

Any difference in the K&N vs Hiflo filter?

bluehose2012 · 07-22-2012, 04:02 PM

I got 2 qts. of Lucas 10W-40 semi synthetic motorcycle oil and ordered the K&N 136 filter on Amazon. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the advice.

**jonathan180iq** · 07-23-2012, 09:09 AM

When you hold the K&N filter and the stock filter side by side, you might be disappointed with how similar and basically identical they are.
It's strictly your decision, but I would save my money in the future and stick with the cheap ones.

bluehose2012 · 07-23-2012, 12:32 PM

The K&N filter and Hiflo filters were the same price on Amazon. Both shipped for free.

**jonathan180iq** · 07-23-2012, 01:59 PM

Well there you go then. I've seen K&N priced way too high before, because it's K&N and that's what they do.

07-21-2012, 10:07 PM	#1
bluehose2012 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 19	oil change questions hi, I've been reading through posts about changing oil and filter. should I use regular or synthetic oil? 10W-40? motorcycle specific? what filter does it take? can I get one at a local auto parts place or online? I'm changing it because it looks pretty black. I bought the bike used, and the guy said he recently changed it but not the filter. I've gone about 1000 miles since getting the bike, and I just want to be on the safe side. any other thoughts or input? thanks so much. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-22-2012, 12:04 AM	#2
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: oil change questions Any motorcycle specific 10-40 oil will do. You can also use a non moto specific oil if you want. You must however be sure they do not contain any ingredients such as friction molifiers and labelled as energy conserving. Dino or synthetic is your choice but I have had very good results with plain old Shell Rotella 15-40. It is cheap and certified for moto use by Shell. You could also use Rotella synthetic 5-40. Still cheap compared to other synthetics. Filter wise you can go to Suzuki or elsewhere. HiFlo make the HF136 filter for the GZ and is a common filter for many smaller engines. Check out local small engine repair shops, auto parts stores or online for the best price and availability. You will need 1300 mm of oil for the change. Oil and filter require 1400 mm of oil. Buy two qts and you have lots left over to top up with when needed. Be sure to check the oil level in the sight glass with the bike held upright. If it is leaning on the side stand the level will be incorrect and you will overfill it. Keep in mind that some oils will change color soon after an oil change. That not a bad sign. It just happens.
	0

07-22-2012, 12:08 AM	#3
Rookie Rider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 1,263	Re: oil change questions WW, that was perfect, cant give a better explamation then that. High 5 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-22-2012, 07:21 AM	#5
Rookie Rider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 1,263	Re: oil change questions Oh yeah. Well then....... Then you get a low 5. hahaaaa. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-22-2012, 11:27 AM	#6
bluehose2012 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 19	Re: oil change questions Any difference in the K&N vs Hiflo filter?
	0

07-22-2012, 04:02 PM	#7
bluehose2012 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 19	Re: oil change questions I got 2 qts. of Lucas 10W-40 semi synthetic motorcycle oil and ordered the K&N 136 filter on Amazon. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the advice.
	0

07-23-2012, 09:09 AM	#8
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: oil change questions When you hold the K&N filter and the stock filter side by side, you might be disappointed with how similar and basically identical they are. It's strictly your decision, but I would save my money in the future and stick with the cheap ones.
	0

07-23-2012, 12:32 PM	#9
bluehose2012 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 19	Re: oil change questions The K&N filter and Hiflo filters were the same price on Amazon. Both shipped for free.
	0

07-23-2012, 01:59 PM	#10
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: oil change questions Well there you go then. I've seen K&N priced way too high before, because it's K&N and that's what they do.
	0