XBR oil

[Andy M]

A quick question for the XBR owners out there: How often do you drop the oil?*

I’ve been looking at the MASH 400 which uses basically the XBR motor made in China with FI and a 6 speed gearbox. The manual however is saying oil and filters at 3000 KM. That’s 1800 miles, part way through a decent touring trip, a third of what the Guzzi is doing or a fifth of what the best modern Honda can do.

Looks an easy job (compared to a Bullet that has three drain plugs that need to come out every 3000 miles), but this is a pretty short interval.
Are the Chinese and Froggies just wanting to rent me more oil? Does this suggest by being lower than the XBR that what comes out will be full of swarf ? Are the Chinese expecting us to use chip fat rather than Halfords best@?  Should XBR’s go longer?

*The likes of a certain Mr. Carrick may want to differentiate answers between what they’ve done and what the manual recommends.  I know one assembled from bits fished out of a garden shed the day before will go to Bavaria then North Wales with nothing more than a squirt of WD40, but should it?

Cheers

Andy

[guest1247]

Hi Andy, I am fairly confident the Mash you are looking at uses a copy of a Honda engine. In a Honda, it was used in a 90's trail bike .... the XR 400 ...... and also in a Japanese / American model, the CL400. They are different beasts completely from an XBR. I know that Mash advertise one particular machine as a 500...... That only differs from the Roadstar cosmetically. It still uses the 400 ( 397cc ) engine. As for oil, it has been said on here many times that oil is cheap. I fully agree with this thought ..... Filters are cheap as well. Always go for decent oil of the correct spec , and change it often. I am sure one long trip wouldn't hurt it though. Regards, Tony

[SteveC#222]

The general wisdom from riders of XBR's ( including me) is oil changes every 1000-1500 miles and filter change every other change. Honda I believe quote 5000 miles in the handbook, but given that the top ends of Honda singles have a checkered history most owners tend to play on the safe side - oil is (relatively) cheap.

I'm not sure how much like the XBR the MASH engine is - does it have a dry sump/separate oil tank or is the oil held within the engine? The oil change is fairly straightforward, though it helps if you have the little spout from the toolkit to drain the oil tank to prevent oil going everywhere. The worst problem can be air locks in the oil pipe to the cylinder head, I usually loosen the top banjo bolt off half a turn then run the engine until oil starts to seep out and then nip it up again.

Oil wise I don't use anything special or expensive, just something decent quality.

Edit - Just had a look at the Mash and it seems to be a wet sump so ignore the oil pipe bit - it should be dead easy but I would still go for regular changes - if Mash say 1800 miles that probably sounds about right unless you do a lot of short runs.

[Andy M]

That's a point against then, the SR400 is on 6000 intervals which would suit better.

Thanks for your help guys.

Andy

[timbo]

Hi Andy, personally I would ignore the recommended figures and change every 1000 - 1500, as mentioned above. Semi 10/40. Oil change is particularly important in thumpers.

[johnr]

perhaps its also worth mentioning that if its a chinese built engine then perhaps their reccomenation for oil changes is based on the use of chinese oil.

[Andy M]

I think you are right, but we can't tell for sure.

Guzzi use fancy oil to get the small block up from 3000 to 4700. Triumph arbitrarily changed the Bonneville from 4000 to 6000 the day Harley launched an updated Sportster. The only difference was they posted me a new service book which suggests they just decided they'd rather sell more bikes and less oil.

You can imagine Chinese metalurgy and oil gives a low number while Yamaha have updated the SR's materials but who knows. There is also a commercial factor. We know at least three major manufacturers gave bikes away and sold finance and servicing. They don't care about the time spent with low pressure from over frequent changes or the stripped drain plugs their grease monkeys cause. Oil analysis of the WeeStrom showed 4700 was a joke, the oil was fine at 10000.

I'm afraid I want to ride not change oil, so stick to the reccomended intervals ( and never at a dealer, even at the risk of the warranty) .  Oil may be cheap but sunny days when I'm free to ride are highly valuable.

This is just one of many factors. Tube tyres are another annoyance. Modern bikes that tick these boxes have useless pillion seats and short range etc. Just digging the facts up at the minute.

Cheers

Andy

[Oldtimer]

And remember never, never put fully synth oil in your engine.

[Andy M]

Research has rather moved on. The Triumph Street Twins are OK on range, have tubeless tyres and a 10000 mile service interval. 70 odd HP is overkill, but I've been there before and if the rest falls into place I could just rig the GPS to get annoying at stupid speeds until I learn to ride at 30%.

Andy

[002]

And remember never, never put fully synth oil in your engine.

Quite a few manufacturers recommend fully synth.. Have done for quite a few years.....and have no problems !
Mine uses fully synth and tugs a sidecar,all year round in all weathers,temperatures.

Jethro

[themoudie]

Aye Jethro,

Delighted to read your pros and pleased that you still come to loiter for a wee while.

Good health.

My regards, Bill

[002]

Still about Bill.

Just been a bit busy for one reason and another fr the last 12month or so ;-)

Jethro