Newbie needs help.

No offense, but that would be your first mistake. Motorcycle are not cars, and should be treated as such. I've bought VF's before pretty cheap because they smoked due to burning oil. The oil in there was too light, maybe 10w30 or 5w30 even. Get them home and change the oil to 20w50 and the smoke goes away. 7 years later one of those bikes is still in my garage with no smoking since.

Also don't forget that the oil is not only for the engine but also the gearbox!

 

No offense taken. But think gear oil would be the very best. I will try it next oil change. However, my bike doesn't smoke with 10w-40. I will try to mix oils until I find one that I like but so far not noticing any problems means it works.

The only time I've notice smoking is when the owner refuses to change the oil and burns the rings up. Then thicker oil is the only thing that can be used.

 

I was just think, I use 20w50 in my Buell. It's air/oil cooled so I can why the thick oil. I would think that with the VF being liquid cooled you shouldn't have a problem running 10w30. It's a versatile grade???

 

Although I haven't had problems useing 10w-30. If someone knows a thicker oil works better during the summer months we should all use it.

 

from wht I've seen there's not to many guys with more exp with the vf's than Jamie.

 

I went for a ride on the KTM the other day. Went to a friends house and saw that her hubby had a VF500. Needs some work, but I think I might have to pick this one up too. Anything that I should look for on this model? I son't know the year, yet.

 

I finally gave my friend the VF. He loves it. We took it for a rip. Nice bike on the road and it has some pull to it. It's not going to keep up with the Buell until the top end but it's not far behind. Still working on the other guy to sell me the VF500 for my daily driver.

 

Your friend is lucky to have you as a friend not because you gave him the bike but because you think think so highly of him.

 

Thanks, he was speechless. It's been a few days now and he is still smiling. He leaves the garage door open so he can see it from the house.