Is the 600 mile oil change critical?

toomanybulletss · 11-02-2018, 10:13 PM

I'm a relatively new owner of a Lifan KP200 and I hit 600 miles a while back. I hear you are supposed to take the bike in for service after you hit 600 miles but I just haven't had the chance to take it in to the shop yet. I'm currently at 840 miles. Will it damage the bike if I continue to ride some before taking it in for service or should I be ok for a while? I plan on getting an oil change, oil filter chance, and chain adjustment this weekend. I have attached a picture of the sight glass when I hold my bike upright. I'm not sure how to judge it. Thanks in advance for advice!

https://imgur.com/wfq0iXC

Azhule · 11-03-2018, 10:32 AM

You will still be fine, might want to get it changed soon if you wanted to "comply with factory recommendations" and keep any possible warranty.

From the looks of the pic* you might want to add a little bit more oil if you need to keep riding for a few days, shouldn't take that much to get the oil closer to the middle of the L and H lines

* Can't tell if the bike is "leaning" in the pic, looks like you had it "up" properly for checking the oil level

PaiN · 12-12-2018, 09:26 AM

The break-in(600 mile) oil change is very important, don't neglect doing it too much longer. You don't want all that break-in material running in the oil any longer than it has too.

2LZ · 12-12-2018, 10:01 AM

^^^
this

It's only a quart. Cheap insurance.

Red Hawk · 12-12-2018, 10:26 PM

I'm right at 600 miles now, on my 7th synthetic oil change. Installed a magnetic drain plug and that really pulled a lot of steel out. Oil is cheap in the long run. It's the parts and labor that add up.

Gonna try and beat Spuds record !

Megadan · 12-13-2018, 12:03 AM

The first oil change is very important. Definitely get it done.

We are not just talking from a metallic particulate point of view, but also the condition of the oil itself. When an engine is new the rings do not seat very well, so there is more blow by than normal which introduces not only unburned fuel, but carbon and other gasses and compounds mix with the oil. This greatly reduces the lubricity of the oil as well as creating a higher acidity level of said oil and can accelerate engine wear.

Why not simply do the oil change yourself?

11-02-2018, 10:13 PM	#1
toomanybulletss Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Houston area Posts: 22	Is the 600 mile oil change critical? I'm a relatively new owner of a Lifan KP200 and I hit 600 miles a while back. I hear you are supposed to take the bike in for service after you hit 600 miles but I just haven't had the chance to take it in to the shop yet. I'm currently at 840 miles. Will it damage the bike if I continue to ride some before taking it in for service or should I be ok for a while? I plan on getting an oil change, oil filter chance, and chain adjustment this weekend. I have attached a picture of the sight glass when I hold my bike upright. I'm not sure how to judge it. Thanks in advance for advice! https://imgur.com/wfq0iXC
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11-03-2018, 10:32 AM	#2
Azhule Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: CO Posts: 1,525	You will still be fine, might want to get it changed soon if you wanted to "comply with factory recommendations" and keep any possible warranty. From the looks of the pic* you might want to add a little bit more oil if you need to keep riding for a few days, shouldn't take that much to get the oil closer to the middle of the L and H lines * Can't tell if the bike is "leaning" in the pic, looks like you had it "up" properly for checking the oil level __________________ "Think as you like... but this self proclaimed Professor is always right" - Buckshot "You never know what someone is hiding beneath their smile..." - NinjaTom - R.I.P.
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12-12-2018, 09:26 AM	#3
PaiN Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: CT Posts: 130	The break-in(600 mile) oil change is very important, don't neglect doing it too much longer. You don't want all that break-in material running in the oil any longer than it has too. __________________ "Talking about living life is nice and all....but a motorcycle is a tool to actually do it." -me You Tube: PaiN's Rides Currently riding the hell out of my 2013 Victory Cross Country.
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12-12-2018, 10:01 AM	#4
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,092	^^^ this It's only a quart. Cheap insurance. __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
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12-12-2018, 10:26 PM	#5
Red Hawk Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: NEPA Posts: 273	I'm right at 600 miles now, on my 7th synthetic oil change. Installed a magnetic drain plug and that really pulled a lot of steel out. Oil is cheap in the long run. It's the parts and labor that add up. Gonna try and beat Spuds record ! __________________ 2018 Hawk P&P Decked .040 off the head. 17/43 D.I.D. 428, NGK Iridium plug, DeCat, Wrapped pipe, Custom S.S. Muffler core, Nibbi PE30 115/35, L.E.D. Lights, Digital Cluster, USB port, Cutting Bord skid plate, Oil cooler w/ custom CRF oil filter inline, 5Wt fork oil, Rear Shock, CNC Back Rack, 30mm FAT bars, Bark Busters, ProGrips, Adjustable levers, Shinko 700’s lots of Loctite!
	1

12-13-2018, 12:03 AM	#6
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,030	The first oil change is very important. Definitely get it done. We are not just talking from a metallic particulate point of view, but also the condition of the oil itself. When an engine is new the rings do not seat very well, so there is more blow by than normal which introduces not only unburned fuel, but carbon and other gasses and compounds mix with the oil. This greatly reduces the lubricity of the oil as well as creating a higher acidity level of said oil and can accelerate engine wear. Why not simply do the oil change yourself? __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
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