Jack Phelps' Pages
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Oil
Change
Please
don't skimp on this area! These V-twin engines are really reliable,
but they are air-cooled and are subject to high operating
temperatures that breaks down motor oil quickly. Change your oil and
filter regularly, and use a high-quality oil. Yamaha recommends
changing the filter with every other oil change, I suspect because
the filter is so poorly designed and is a real pain to change. I
prefer to change both at the same time, every 6 months or 3,000
miles. There are many oils available, and the Yamalube semi-synthetic
is a fine product; I prefer Amsoil 20w-50 synthetic formulated for
motorcycle engines. Be wary of using oils formulated for automobiles
that may have friction reducers that raise havoc with your wet clutch.
Oil changes
are an ordeal with this bike; if you do your own, work carefully and
be careful to torque the exhaust bolts and filter cover bolts to
factory specs so as to avoid stripping them out.
Why not
make life much easier for yourself? I heartily recommend that any
VStar 1100 owner buy and install a remote oil filter kit--oil changes
are reduced to a 10 minute process, and there is less chance of
damage from regular replacement and removal of your exhaust system. I
am familiar with kits produced by Jardine
and Motorcycle Enhancements;
they are similar in design, and both are available for around $235.
I chose the M/E kit, but both are fine quality products. For an
evaluation and further information see my page here.
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