Oil change frequencies

I've had my shiny blue 2000 SVS for coming up to a month now, and am contemplating my first oil change (I think it's already actually a little later than it should have been according to Suzuki)
It seems to me that every 1 month / 600 miles really isn't far or long between changes at all. Does everyone else here actually do the oil change that often or do you leave it longer?

****, I just landed myself in it

I know nothing about cars and bikes, I just ride/drive the damn things.

Benji

You don't need to change the oil every month unless you're doing 1000s of miles every month. It depends on how you're using the bike (commuting/playing), how often and what oil you use. I personally change the oil every 6months/3000 miles. They recommend changing the oil in Svs every 3500 miles i think - I might be talking out my ****, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong

Amanda

Suzuki dont say every 600 miles or 1 month.

They say every 4000 miles or 6 months - which is too infrequent.

Originally Posted by andy

They say every 4000 miles or 6 months - which is too infrequent.

Why 'too infrequent'? It's far too bloody frequent if you ask me.

My decrepit Polo has a 10k oil change interval, and technology's moved on a bit since that was built. Okay, I know we have more performance per litre, but would a 5k interval really be too much to ask?

Cheers
Warren

PS The SV's oil change interval averages out at 3750 miles, but Suzuki obviously think were too stupid to cope with that, so they alternate between 3500 and 4000.

600 miles?!?!?!?!?! i'd have to drop it out every two weeks

[Viney]

I roll with 4000 miles changes on the bike, and 3000 in the car.

[Sid Squid]

Your bike should have more frequent oil changes than your car, as the oil in your bike engine is shared with the gearbox. The gearbox is a bad place for oil, (other than EP oil which it's meant for), as the chains of molecules that make oil, especially multigrades, get "chopped up" and the oil gets worn out more quickly. Your car wiil have a dry clutch which won't add to the contamination of the oil. Add to this that bike engines generally have higher specific power outputs than cars, note I said generally, and smaller engines physically, the oil in your bike gets a harder time than that in your car.

Sid

PS. Excellent piece of advice from my Dad (25 or more years ago)
"Oil is cheaper than bearings, and it's a damn sight easier to fit."

I agree with Sid - the oil gets a very hard time and the more frequent the changes the better.

Obviously if you are only going to keep the bike up to 20,000 miles then it doesnt matter to you - but it will to the next owner.

I always keep my bikes for a long time - if the oil is looking crap I change it - irrespective of milage. The SV is every 2k or so.

My fiances Monster dirties its oil very quickly - it has done 1000 miles and is on its 3rd oil change!

blimey thats only 333mile per oil change, er thats, about 2 weeks of commuting alone, add in the weekend and your talkin a week