Oil change questions.....

Ok, so this is my first non-vtwin bike, so forgive me... :smile:

What is the appropriate oil viscosity to run? 10W-40? The delaer did my first service at 600 miles and my service manual has not come in yet. I was running Mobil 1 synthetic in my Guzzi (but it was 20W50 for the twin) and was happy with the Mobil 1...

Also, does the transmission have its own lubricant like my Harley and Guzzi, or does it share the same lubricant as the engine?

Thanks for the input!!!

Oh, and any hints for fairing removal for the oil changes would be greatly appreciated.

-Carl

 

From what I've read online, most liquid cooled four cylinder four strokes with wet clutches are 10w40. Anything below operating weight of 40 has 'friction reducers' that can cause a wet-clutch to slip (Clutch/Engine share the same pool of oil). My service manual specs different viscosities depending on ambient temperature, but 10w40 covers the entire range of ambient temperatures.

As for fairing removal, if it's anything like mine most pieces come off with a few screws/snaps. But I'd consult your Bike's Bible; its words tell no lies (unless the editor was on/off something).

I myself used Royal Purple 10w40 full synthetic on my last oil change, not because I felt like spending near 8 dollars a quart for 3 quarts of synthetic oil, but because they were out of synthetic 10w40 in any other brand (and way too lazy to drive somewhere else to save a few bucks). :redface:

 

The oil is common for both the engine and gearbox with a VFR
You can download a workshop manual here for your bike .... the mechanicals are the same for 2002 - 2007
http://vfrworld.com/forums/parts-se...ervice-manuals.html?highlight=workshop+manual

 

CKAMIN, just a word of advice on the fairing removal......
Be careful with those black plastic snaps. They break very easily.
To remove them, take a screwdriver and gently press in the middle and then remove. Again, take your time. There is a procedure on this in the owners manual as well.
First time I removed the fairing I broke one, and to replace it was around $3.00 from the local Honda Dealer.

 

Hey, thanks for all of the input, guys, I really appreciate it.

Two things, though...

First- Any significant changes from '02 to '07 that the manual doesn't cover? Or does Honda just sell one manual from '02 on up for the 6th generation?

Second- No doubt! I removed a few of those plastic buttons while doing the O2 sensor eliminators when I did my Leo Vince exhaust pipes. I broke one or two before figureing it out, so I went to the dealer for some replacements and a few extras..... WTF? $3-$4 a piece? Come on!!!! They didn't even kiss me!!!!

Okay, okay, I may be bitter..... but before growing up (well, I never actually grew up) I worked in an auto parts store and the price markup is rediculous. With the ease of internet sales where sales tax, free shipping, and reduced pricing makes some purchases rather lucrative, the local stealerships should give some sort of a break.

Okay, enough ranting for now. Thanks for the input.

Carl

 

From what i've read, 07 and maybe 06 bikes have 10w30 oil recommended, all others recommend 10w40. I can't imagine running 10w40 in a newer bike will hurt it, it's probably due to fuel economy, like Honda and Ford running 5w20 in their cars

 

Yep, the Honda manual inserts changed it in for the 07 to 10w30... but the 10w40 was fine in the same temperature range for summer riding.

(sorry to repeat, but I can't pass up a chance to get in on an oil thread)

There are many more posts on oil if you go to the "forums" button, then scroll down to "Product Reviews" and there in the lower right is the "Oil & Coolant Reviews" part of the forum. I know it seems like it is out of the way, but it is probably the most important area of discussion for some folks.