I have a 03 954 and it now has 1300 miles on it. I just bought it 3 or so weeks ago with 721 original miles. I guess I'd like opinions on what oil to use and your opinions as to why that brand so I can base my decision on it...... Thanks!!!

 

I use Honda Oem. My bike ALWAYS shifts great thats why I keep using it. Ive heard alot of people and seen in forums that do use synthetic makes their bikes shift hard. It could have benefits than cons though. Synthetic users will eventually comment, see what they got to say about using it.

 

IMO, people put way too much thinking, debate, and money into oil. id go with a semi synthetic that you can get at any bike shop. if your bike isn't shifting smooth, then go with a full synthetic.

i use 20w-50. if cash is tight, i won't even use a semi synthetic oil. good ole dino oil.

it's more important to change your oil and filter every 1500mi. than what kind of oil/filter you use.

 

I think its ironic that you say people put too much money into oil but you change your oil and filter every 1500 miles. To me that would be expensive because if you ride very much you would be changing your oil almost monthly.

I have been running Honda HP4S full synthetic but plan on switching to Amsoil when I can find it somewhere. My buddy has always ran Honda HP4 in his 2000 929 which he bought in 2001. We both only change our oil once a year. I prefer buying better oil and using in longer. Honda recommends changing the oil/filter every 8K miles.

 

ya i hear that the new 1000rr calls for an oil change of full synthetic every 8000mi. but i haven't heard that for a 954.

i change my oil that often because its still the stock clutch. a wet clutch is what does the most damage to the oil. ya, i change my oil ever 2 months usually, and every 2 months, it comes out and its used and in need of changing. its not a civic engine, its a sportbike one. i'm a little **** about it ya, but 8000mi is just crazy. i could see going 2500, but...uhhh... couldn't see going more than that.

thats just my opinion. its your bike, you do what you want.

edit:
also depends on where you live... i lear near the ocean, almost every day i have a **** ton of sand on chain, so its only natural that my oil will foul quicker with all the sand and salt in the air. do yourself a favor, check your oil every few months, and see if you think it needs to be changed, if not, good.

 

The 954 owners manual and service manual both have 8,000 miles listed for oil and filter change. You can get the service manual from the link on this site.

The service manual recommends Pro Honda GN4 or HP4 10w-40 without molybdeum additives for the 954.

3.7 qt with draining oil only
3.9 qt with filter change

 

I use Motul 5100.

The 8,000 mile service recommendation is based on a commuting riding style. If you do trackdays or very high RPM riding you'd want to do it more often than that. The only true way to know how often is to get the oil tested in a lab. I've never bothered.

I do mine about every 5,000K (3,000 miles) and change the filter every other time. But I'll usually change it right before a trackday.

 

EDIT: double post

 

not that i've sent my oil away to be tested, but i have seem some of the tests from some other 954's and from what i saw/read, the best case test was saying that oil needed to be changed around 3500-4000 mi (with synthetic). other people that rode harder, and did trackdays were down around 1500 to 2500.

 

I always feel the shifting getting a little sloppy after 2500 miles or so. I change mine between 2500-3500 depending on when I get around to it. Usually I change filter once a year and oil twice (part laziness, part because I know I'll only get another ~1000 miles on it).

my 2 cents...