Oil change for Honda Unicorn - Team-BHP

F1amit · 31st December 2007, 16:47

Hi Guys,

I own a Honda Unicorn sports bike and have done almost 5 K on ODO by now. Bike is due for the 4th servicing in 2nd week of January. In all 3 servicings earlier, I had changed engine oil.

Bike has clocked almost 2.5K KM after 3rd servicing. Do I need to change the oil in now? Would like to know from experts, after how many KM engine oil should be changed?

Cheers,
Amit.

rider60 · 1st January 2008, 02:15

depends on what oil grade(/brand) you choose to use and your usage.

well if you dont ride the bike past 4 rpm at any cost then changing the oil every 5K KMS is just fine and a 20W40 grade is fine!

if you do rip your bike then once in a while then change the oil sooner by 1000 to 1500 kms that is at every 3500 to 4000kms the same grade!

if you rip it periodically above 6rpm then the oil change is needed much sooner say every 3000kms and i would suggest you 20w50 grade oil for the bike! the shell helix or castrol GTX should be just fine and you will definitely have smoother gear shifts with this better grade oil!

even if you put in a higher grade oil i would say the equation is lesser the oil change intervals more is the engine life! this higher grade will cost more by about 50 bucks but worth it for the price!

the above said this i suggested are suggested according to the minimal cost maintainance plan,

if you want a good smooth engine, and a long engine life then i would say,

as a rule of the thumb, change the oil every 3000kms and use only the 20w50 grade, or change the oil every six months even if the bike sits idle, as you know even the oil does become old!

F1amit · 2nd January 2008, 15:50

Thanks rider 60 for your comments

amit_mechengg · 2nd January 2008, 19:36

oil change depends on the oil itself...i have found that shell lasts longer than castrol...and price also less....

put mobil synthetic and it will last for 10k kms....its best for unicon

Ho0ligaN · 2nd January 2008, 21:15

20w50 is not the recommended grade for unicorn, dont use it.

castrol gtx is not for bikes, dont use it.

get motul 3000 4t plus 20w40, I have been using it for almost an year now, real good oil 160 bucks a liter.

rr_zen · 3rd January 2008, 07:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by amit_mechengg

put mobil synthetic and it will last for 10k kms....its best for unicon

Have you tried this yourself ? I have had a few people tell me that synthetic oil is not advisable for bikes (esp four stroke ones) as they lead to increased clutch slippage. I would love to go in for Mobil 1 but want to have some first hand information from some one who has used it in his Unicorn.

Sankar · 3rd January 2008, 08:55

rr_zen what you heard is correct. The only synthetic oil which can be used in motorcycle engines is the Motul 300V which is designed for motorcycles with a wet clutch. The automobile synthetics would induce clutch slippage. It doesn't matter if it's a two-stroke or a four-stroke motor.

The only bike in India which can use any synthetic oil is the Bullet and it's cronies. These engines don't share the engine oil with clutch casing.

F1Amit, you can use the Castrol Magnatec in your bike, it's semi synthetic and a very good oil. It doesn't induce clutch slipping i have tried it in my old RX and in the bullet clutch casing.

Ajaybiz · 3rd January 2008, 10:56

If you are using the oil supplied by Showroom then every 2k you have to replace the oil.Go through the manuals given by Honda.

31st December 2007, 16:47	#1 (permalink)
F1amit Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 28	Oil change for Honda Unicorn Hi Guys, I own a Honda Unicorn sports bike and have done almost 5 K on ODO by now. Bike is due for the 4th servicing in 2nd week of January. In all 3 servicings earlier, I had changed engine oil. Bike has clocked almost 2.5K KM after 3rd servicing. Do I need to change the oil in now? Would like to know from experts, after how many KM engine oil should be changed? Cheers, Amit.

3rd January 2008, 08:55	#7 (permalink)
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: TRV Posts: 1,795	rr_zen what you heard is correct. The only synthetic oil which can be used in motorcycle engines is the Motul 300V which is designed for motorcycles with a wet clutch. The automobile synthetics would induce clutch slippage. It doesn't matter if it's a two-stroke or a four-stroke motor. The only bike in India which can use any synthetic oil is the Bullet and it's cronies. These engines don't share the engine oil with clutch casing. F1Amit, you can use the Castrol Magnatec in your bike, it's semi synthetic and a very good oil. It doesn't induce clutch slipping i have tried it in my old RX and in the bullet clutch casing. __________________ Crank Last edited by Sankar : 3rd January 2008 at 08:59.

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1st January 2008, 02:15	#2 (permalink)
rider60 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bhagyanagaram. (A.K.A. Hyderabad) Posts: 1,236 View My Garage	depends on what oil grade(/brand) you choose to use and your usage. well if you dont ride the bike past 4 rpm at any cost then changing the oil every 5K KMS is just fine and a 20W40 grade is fine! if you do rip your bike then once in a while then change the oil sooner by 1000 to 1500 kms that is at every 3500 to 4000kms the same grade! if you rip it periodically above 6rpm then the oil change is needed much sooner say every 3000kms and i would suggest you 20w50 grade oil for the bike! the shell helix or castrol GTX should be just fine and you will definitely have smoother gear shifts with this better grade oil! even if you put in a higher grade oil i would say the equation is lesser the oil change intervals more is the engine life! this higher grade will cost more by about 50 bucks but worth it for the price! the above said this i suggested are suggested according to the minimal cost maintainance plan, if you want a good smooth engine, and a long engine life then i would say, as a rule of the thumb, change the oil every 3000kms and use only the 20w50 grade, or change the oil every six months even if the bike sits idle, as you know even the oil does become old!

2nd January 2008, 15:50	#3 (permalink)
F1amit Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 28	Thanks rider 60 for your comments

2nd January 2008, 19:36	#4 (permalink)
amit_mechengg BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 881 View My Garage	oil change depends on the oil itself...i have found that shell lasts longer than castrol...and price also less.... put mobil synthetic and it will last for 10k kms....its best for unicon

2nd January 2008, 21:15	#5 (permalink)
Ho0ligaN Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 28	20w50 is not the recommended grade for unicorn, dont use it. castrol gtx is not for bikes, dont use it. get motul 3000 4t plus 20w40, I have been using it for almost an year now, real good oil 160 bucks a liter.

3rd January 2008, 10:56	#8 (permalink)
Ajaybiz BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 611 View My Garage	If you are using the oil supplied by Showroom then every 2k you have to replace the oil.Go through the manuals given by Honda.