Just bought one and already a question :)

Hey all, love the site!!

I just bought a 2004 VFR non-abs with 400 miles, the owner had drained the oil and then put in 5w-30 synthetic and hadn't ridden for the month afterwards until I bought it. (the oil was never actually run in the motor)

Now the question, I have had plenty of motorcycles in the past, ranging from CBRs to ACE 1100s, but never dealt with synthetic oil. Now, since he has put synthetic in it (which I thought wasn't supposed to be done until quite a few thousand miles later) is it safe to just drain and refill with Mobil 1 Synthetic 10w-40(new filter also) or should I drain and switch back to conventional for the break in?

Thanks again for any help on this question!

 

I'd absolutely drain it and put regular conventional oil back in. Soonest I'd ever think about synthetic is at 3k miles.

 

How to switch

Whats the best way to switch back to conventional from synthetic?

Is it best to just warm up whats in there, drain it, fill it back up with conventional, run it for a little while, drain it again, then replace filter and refill with conventional? Is that good enough? Thanks again!

 

I would NOT start engine or warm up....simply loosen oil fill cap for venting,
then drain oil, I would let drip for an hour or two...then simply fill with conventional oil. Just my 2 cents.....

 

A word of caution. The mechanic at my local shop told me that you shouldn't switch back to conventional oil once synthetic has been used. Don't no the reason or even if it is true but I think I would want to find out more before going back.

 

400 miles is hardly a break in period, however the oil does need to be change between 400-600 miles for the intial break in period. After that go 1 to 2 oil changes before switching to synthetic. Once you use synthetic, be advise it is not recommended to switch back conventional due to seals may alter from swelling. Also the there can be less grab from the wet clutch switching back to conventional oil.

If you do stay using synthetic, don't get the oil with moly. The clutch plates will become contaminated and give the clutch a false feel of grab.

 

What about a Synthetic Petroleum Blend as opposed to a full synthetic?

 

Yep get it out asap, just get some good ole 10-40 motorcycle oil, don't for get the filter too. then in a 200 do it again. then again at the 1000 mile mark. when your done doing the change, go out and find a good long clean road where you can run up through the gears say to 4th taking it to lets say 8k rpm wise in each gear then back off the throttle for good compression braking, down shift as you come down, idea here is to create a lot of compression as that throws the oil up behind the pistons washing the cylinders as it is scrubbing them, plus this puts pressure on the rings causing them to expand then run back up again doing this like 10 -15 times.
You should be fine, yea the synthetic is way to slippery, nothing short of 3K before you use it again..