I'm breaking in an '04 RS and would like comments on when to use synthetic oil. One person from a dealership suggest after 2 to 3K miles. This would allow the rings to really seat.
I would have no hesitation in putting synthetic oil in the bike at the first (break in) oil change. Per Triumphs recomendation. They after all designed the engine and have tested it more than anyone else, also by publishing this advice, if they were wrong, would be buying a lot of new engines.
I broke in my '99 Trophy this way and had to tear her down after 50k miles to put in a new head gasket. I miked the bores and there was no detectable wear on the cylinders or rings at that time. This was using the Mobil 1 MX4T at most every oil change and good qualitity full syntehtic when I couldnt afford the MX4T. Now I do believe that the Mobil 1 MX4T can be subistuted with any good quality full synthetic oil of the proper grade listed in the owners manual.
I've heard a lot of discussion on this very subject, but I strongly believe that with todays high precision machining, and complex metalurgy makes for better sealing, longer running engines than in years past, and that what was true before, no longer applies. Just my .02's worth.
This is the one thing I didn't do by the book.
My manual calls for the first change at 500 miles. At that time for the initial check my dealer highly and rigerously suggested putting back in the same type of oil used for the break in. It is after all a high quality dino oil and not the old straight mineral oil of old. The engine is still in the (official) break in period until 1000 miles. I put that in and changed it out at 1500 total miles again using the break in type of oil. Then at 3000 total miles I changed it again for full synthetic oil and change it every 3000 miles after that.
My dealer is one of those that recommend going to the full synthetic at 3000 miles.
I can say that this proticol hasn't hurt my engine one bit and believe it has set it up for the long haul.
Also, these motors continue to break in and sweetin up for many thousand miles. Mine runs more free now at over 8000 miles than at 6000, uses "0" oil and is one sweet running bike.
I'd suggest that you follow the manual like Jhumphrey says. That is the right way.
I just did it the other way at my dealer's and his head techs. suggestion and after getting oil sampling done and having a compression leak down test it has worked for me.
Just my $.02 worth on oil as everybody has their own thing. The only thing I would suggest is that after you determine how long you keep your breakin oil for, stick with a high quality oil specified by the specs. in your manual and not use a auto type oil. They are different and extensive testing has proven that out.
When breaking in my '02 RS, the dealer made it very clear that the switch to full synthetic was to happen at about 5000kms (3000 miles) and not before.
By the way, how often do the folks here change their coolant?
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