Break In Oil

[Gnzbrg]

   Will be getting a couple new Like 200i's in a few days and need a little advice... Should I immediately change the oil that comes in the bike BEFORE break-in, or is it of acceptable quality?  And, at what point is it safe to switch to full synthetic?

[Viper254]

   Will be getting a couple new Like 200i's in a few days and need a little advice... Should I immediately change the oil that comes in the bike BEFORE break-in, or is it of acceptable quality?  And, at what point is it safe to switch to full synthetic?

Hey man (or woman)

There's no right or wrong answer to this. As somebody who was in the Chinese bike industry for a good few years in the UK, I'd say drop the original oil as soon as possible, run it on normal, change the oil at 100KM, 300KM and 600KM. After that, I'd be happy to switch to fully synth and the oil intervals after that are up for debate. I change mine every 1500KM.

I'm sure somebody else will probably have a different opinion. Don't be alarmed if you get a few metal flecks/shards in the first couple of oil changes!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Just for my piece of mind. .... I changed the oils in my LIKE200i after a few miles. Then again  at 200 and 600. Been doing it every 600 [ 850 miles since.
Our LIKEs are assembled in a Kymco factory in China....
so I felt better with a good oil in there. But, bet Kymco used OK stuff.
still, piece of mind...

Stig

[PaulF]

I used the factory oil for the first period of run in and then at 300km had the dealer put in mineral oil and when it reached 1,000 km I then switched to full synthetic.  As Viper stated, there will be different answers to this.  I used mineral oil for the 300km - 1,000km run in period as I have been told mineral oil is better for bedding in the parts.

https://motorbikewriter.com/mineral-synthetic-oil-motorcycle/

[EvilTessmacher]

All this information is making my head spin.

What's correct? How do I make sure I get the absolute most out of my bike without blowing hundreds of bucks on repeated oil changes if it doesn't need it? How will I know if it needs it or not?

 

[Viper254]

All this information is making my head spin.

What's correct? How do I make sure I get the absolute most out of my bike without blowing hundreds of bucks on repeated oil changes if it doesn't need it? How will I know if it needs it or not?

 

Oil's cheap - can you do them yourself? Or do you have a warranty to preserve?

[jeeves]

Bought my scoot second hand so don't know how the break in procedure was done.

The manual (at least for my scoot) states the oil should be changed every 2000km (1200miles).
I had it up to every 3000km for a while, but went back to 2000km.
It's 10 years old, and has 54000km. No oil consumption between oil changes.
Using the same oil as in my motorcycle 10w40 semisyntetic, just because it's easier, but you can use car oil if you want.

Check the manual, or ask you mechanic about break in procedure.
After that stick to the manual, or change it at least once a year, whatever comes first.

Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk

[Stig / Major Tom]

Oil's cheap - can you do them yourself? Or do you have a warranty to preserve?

At least in the States, changing your own oil does not void any warranty on cars, scooters or motorcycles.
Keep records and receipts showing use of proper lubricants and intervals.
Stig

[Viper254]

At least in the States, changing your own oil does not void any warranty on cars, scooters or motorcycles.
Keep records and receipts showing use of proper lubricants and intervals.
Stig

I wish that were the case here. I've spent a fortune on keeping warranties alive over the years.

[Gnzbrg]

   Okay, thanks for the advice, everyone.  Threw the various opinions in a blender and came up with this plan: change out the OEM oil at 100 miles with a good quality "dino" oil.  Change again at 300, then at 600, then go full synthetic at 1000 miles and every 1000 thereafter. Probably overkill, but like Stig says, oil is cheap, especially since I will do it myself.  Our new scoots are arriving this Saturday! Oh boy, we gonna have us some fun now....

[Viper254]

   Okay, thanks for the advice, everyone.  Threw the various opinions in a blender and came up with this plan: change out the OEM oil at 100 miles with a good quality "dino" oil.  Change again at 300, then at 600, then go full synthetic at 1000 miles and every 1000 thereafter. Probably overkill, but like Stig says, oil is cheap, especially since I will do it myself.  Our new scoots are arriving this Saturday! Oh boy, we gonna have us some fun now....

You'll be fine. Enjoy the scooters and let us know how you get on

[EvilTessmacher]

You'll be fine. Enjoy the scooters and let us know how you get on

That's good to know...

Break-in has worried me since before I even took delivery.

I'm riding very carefully, cautiously, and I still am not totally confident I'm not going to screw something up...

[PaulF]

   Okay, thanks for the advice, everyone.  Threw the various opinions in a blender and came up with this plan: change out the OEM oil at 100 miles with a good quality "dino" oil.  Change again at 300, then at 600, then go full synthetic at 1000 miles and every 1000 thereafter. Probably overkill, but like Stig says, oil is cheap, especially since I will do it myself.  Our new scoots are arriving this Saturday! Oh boy, we gonna have us some fun now....

Sounds like a good plan.