Oil Change on Yamaha WR450F

Afternoon all...

I've recently been given a WR450 for 6 months while my mate is away
touring the globe. However, he has neglected to give me the handbook
and I think the bike is in need of an oil change (thats what his
Endurance computer is telling me anyway)

My questions are:

1. Whats the best oil to use? - I've been to 3 bike garages and they've
all given me different answers - semi-synthetic, fully synthetic (with
warnings) and non-synthetic - and none of them wanted to give me the
definitive answer outwright.

I'm only using the bike for jaunting around town and commuting (no
off-road as insurance won't cover that!!) so no real wear and tear...

2. How do I change the oil??
Again, with no handbook, I have no idea where anything is...

Any answers appreciated...

Sean.

 

Use a decent synthetic oil. The engine will thank you for it,
especially as city stop-start running is almost as stressful as
flat-out blasting.

It's a dry sump engine, with the oil contained in the frame. Thus there
will be a drain plug at the bottom of the frame (look at the bottom of
the main front frame tube). There *may* also be one at the bottom of
the engine to drain the small amount of lube that remains in the
crankcases (some dry sump engines have this - some don't, and I dunno
about the 450, so double-check).

Ask your Yamaha dealer or buy a manual to find the exact location(s).

Drain the oil with the engine warm to hot. Drain the frame first, then
the engine (if it has a drain plug). Refill frame with oil to mark on
dipstick. Start and run for a couple of minutes, and then leave it for
five more minutes. Re-check level, and top up as needed.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique,
TOG@toil.?.murray.invalid typed

Nah mate, he wants castor oil in there, he does.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - There are few things in life more sinister than a
public toilet with the lid closed.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

Mmmm.... gummy.

 

Now, if the oil will be changed every time the "enduro computer"
says so, we are talking about a lot of oil. And if we are talking
about "motorcycle oil" that is even more money.
In these circumstances I'd recommend a semi-synth and if it
was me I'd try one of the evil "car oils".
OTOH, one could go the other way and use an expensive oil but
double the number of hours between changes. The recommended
changes in the manual is for competitive off road use.
Considering that the bike is a loan, it might be best to go with the
frequent changes but try to make the cost reasonable by using
"decent" oil rather than the one a motorcycle dealer makes the
most profit on.

 

Thanks for all your considered responses...

the Fear and Loathing quote was a nice touch...

 

Thanks for all your considered responses...

the Fear and Loathing quote was a nice touch...