Do you always change your filter when you do an oil change? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Nick Mystic · 03-02-2008, 08:53 PM

I took my M50 into the dealer to have my first 600 mile service performed since it called for adjusting checking and adjusting the valve clearances and this is beyond my mechanical skill level. I'm coming up on my 4000 mile service, which I plan to do myself. I bought a new oil filter, but while reading the owner's manual I notice that Suzuki doesn't call for changing the oil filter until the next service interval (every other service interval gets a new oil filter).

I've always changed the filter along with every oil change on my car and I'm wondering what other M50 riders are doing when they change their oil? Do you follow the owner's manual and just change the oil at 4000 miles, or do you go ahead and change the filter along with it? I've already purchased a new filter, so it's not a matter of not wanting to spend the $7 for the filter. I'm just curious what everyone's take is on this issue.

mrcandyman · 03-02-2008, 08:59 PM

first change I didn't change the filter (thought I had, but I obviously didn't). My practice is to always change the filter when I change oil. I must have wanted to break it in a bit faster (I changed with regular oil first time too). I switched to synthetic this time and will keep it synthetic (well, no choice anyways, eh? lol).

The cleaner the filter, the more oil will flow through it and the cleaner the oil will be, so I always change it.

frostbitevinnie · 03-02-2008, 08:59 PM

I don't change filters every time but every other. I do use a K&N so it is a bit more than $7. Also for winter storage I change oil, leave the old filter in then in the spring change out the whole works.

amvince · 03-02-2008, 09:08 PM

I always change the filter. Its less than $12.00 bucks and why take the chance.

Uncle B · 03-02-2008, 09:27 PM

First I change the filter with every oil change.

If I was to change one and not the other I would change out the oil filter and leave the older oil in.

ranger04 · 03-02-2008, 09:32 PM

I only change mine about 3 times a year, so I change oil-filter-gear fluid all at the same time every time-also give her a good cleaning since its already sitting in the garage

hammersfan · 03-02-2008, 09:55 PM

I change Oil & filter every 10,000 Km (6000 Mi) and use synthetic bike oil.

omegajim · 03-02-2008, 09:55 PM

Yes. Every time.

Keep in mind I only drive about 5 k and only change the oil once a year.

But I use fram filters too. Looking for a better filter, something not made out of lint pulled from the dryer mixed with paper pulp.

SNAFU · 03-02-2008, 10:32 PM

I always change the filter when I change the oil.

mrcandyman · 03-03-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omegajim

Yes. Every time.

Keep in mind I only drive about 5 k and only change the oil once a year.

But I use fram filters too. Looking for a better filter, something not made out of lint pulled from the dryer mixed with paper pulp.

Look into the new amsoil oil filters. Just got one on my bike after reading many good reviews

Apertureguy · 03-03-2008, 10:29 AM

Everytime I change oil, I also change the filter.

palanon · 03-03-2008, 10:47 AM

I change every time. The filters are small. I also don't agree with most manuals oil change intervals.

digitalbroccoli · 03-03-2008, 11:07 AM

there's no benefit to not changing it, other than keeping a 10 dollar bill in your pocket...why not spend the 10 bucks and do it up right everytime?

conrad · 03-03-2008, 12:59 PM

I change my filter every time also. I just couldn't stand the thought of running clean oil through a dirty filter.

omegajim · 03-03-2008, 01:41 PM

I used to think the filter didn't work very well; then I switched to semi synthetic and realized that regular oil wasn't very good.

Mind you, this bike is nearly 30 years old, so I am hesitant to go to full synthetic.

mrcandyman · 03-03-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omegajim

I used to think the filter didn't work very well; then I switched to semi synthetic and realized that regular oil wasn't very good.

Mind you, this bike is nearly 30 years old, so I am hesitant to go to full synthetic.

ya, you're probably using the best. Full synthetic is bad for the older gaskets and rubber in general. Stick with the semi-synthetic, otherwise you'll see problems I'm willing to bet

hammersfan · 03-03-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omegajim

I used to think the filter didn't work very well; then I switched to semi synthetic and realized that regular oil wasn't very good.

Mind you, this bike is nearly 30 years old, so I am hesitant to go to full synthetic.

Your bike has lasted 30 years so you must be doing something right, I'd just keep to what you are doing.

1badbaker · 03-03-2008, 06:45 PM

Everytime I change the oil, I change the filter. And I'm shelling out the money for the K&N each time.

ulfire911 · 03-03-2008, 07:07 PM

Yep, change the oil every time. No reason to put clean oil in your bike and having cycle through a dirty filter. Just make sure you get the proper filter wrench if this is your first time changing it. You'll go hoarse with all the profanity uttered if you try to use a regular car filter wrench on it.

Copronymous · 03-03-2008, 07:45 PM

Yes...new filter every time. Every time.

03-02-2008, 08:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nick Mystic In Training Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: Suzuki M50 Limited Edition 2007 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 130	Do you always change your filter when you do an oil change? I took my M50 into the dealer to have my first 600 mile service performed since it called for adjusting checking and adjusting the valve clearances and this is beyond my mechanical skill level. I'm coming up on my 4000 mile service, which I plan to do myself. I bought a new oil filter, but while reading the owner's manual I notice that Suzuki doesn't call for changing the oil filter until the next service interval (every other service interval gets a new oil filter). I've always changed the filter along with every oil change on my car and I'm wondering what other M50 riders are doing when they change their oil? Do you follow the owner's manual and just change the oil at 4000 miles, or do you go ahead and change the filter along with it? I've already purchased a new filter, so it's not a matter of not wanting to spend the $7 for the filter. I'm just curious what everyone's take is on this issue.

03-02-2008, 08:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
frostbitevinnie In The Zone Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 07' C90T 76' MT250 Location: 3rd house NW of the Depot Posts: 2,722	I don't change filters every time but every other. I do use a K&N so it is a bit more than $7. Also for winter storage I change oil, leave the old filter in then in the spring change out the whole works. __________________ I set up a by knot of soups that valid terrific, and can be made in big batches and frozen. Is there any interest? Karri Tamsin

03-02-2008, 09:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
amvince Sit speling cheker Joined: Jan 2008 Bike: 07 M50 Black, 06 Ninja 250 Blue Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 1,820	I always change the filter. Its less than $12.00 bucks and why take the chance. __________________ "ALL I CAN DO IS WHAT I CAN DO"

03-02-2008, 09:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Uncle B Want's A New Title Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 06 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Location: Gordon Texas Latitude: 32.54833 Longitude: -98.36889 Posts: 4,423	First I change the filter with every oil change. If I was to change one and not the other I would change out the oil filter and leave the older oil in. __________________ Ride Safe, Ride Long, & Have Fun Benjamin Franklin> They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security. http://www.gordontexas.net/ http://www.gordonvfd.com/

03-02-2008, 09:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
ranger04 U.B's LoveChild Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M50B Location: ohio Posts: 1,097	I only change mine about 3 times a year, so I change oil-filter-gear fluid all at the same time every time-also give her a good cleaning since its already sitting in the garage __________________ Pics of Bike -MySpace-http://copronymous.com/images/M50-MANUAL.pdf

03-02-2008, 08:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
mrcandyman Ditch Magnet Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 163	first change I didn't change the filter (thought I had, but I obviously didn't). My practice is to always change the filter when I change oil. I must have wanted to break it in a bit faster (I changed with regular oil first time too). I switched to synthetic this time and will keep it synthetic (well, no choice anyways, eh? lol). The cleaner the filter, the more oil will flow through it and the cleaner the oil will be, so I always change it.

03-02-2008, 09:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
hammersfan U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2008 C90 SE Location: Ajax ,Ontario ,Canada Posts: 1,233	I change Oil & filter every 10,000 Km (6000 Mi) and use synthetic bike oil. __________________ Ride Safe Hammersfan

03-02-2008, 09:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
omegajim M-J.Com Lifetime Achievement Award Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 6,527	Yes. Every time. Keep in mind I only drive about 5 k and only change the oil once a year. But I use fram filters too. Looking for a better filter, something not made out of lint pulled from the dryer mixed with paper pulp. __________________ "FREE TIBET!"* With purchase of one Tibet of equal or greater value.

03-02-2008, 10:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
SNAFU Just Won't Go Away ! Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: '06 M50 Black Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 5,006	I always change the filter when I change the oil. __________________

03-03-2008, 10:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
Apertureguy Throttle Jockey Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	Everytime I change oil, I also change the filter.

03-03-2008, 10:47 AM	#12 (permalink)
palanon No Significant Other Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2003 Bandit 1200S Location: Newmarket, NH Posts: 2,326	I change every time. The filters are small. I also don't agree with most manuals oil change intervals. __________________ " In the name of the Speedo, the Tach and the Holy Throttle, amen. "

03-03-2008, 11:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
digitalbroccoli U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 06 M50 in Bluuuuuuuuue Location: Sodus, NY Posts: 1,059	there's no benefit to not changing it, other than keeping a 10 dollar bill in your pocket...why not spend the 10 bucks and do it up right everytime? __________________ 06 Blue M50 - tattoo profiler and bags, pciii, hypercharger, cruzers, drag bars, lots of other goodies. 99 black bandit - winter project. mwahahaha.

03-03-2008, 12:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
conrad In Training Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 M50 Location: CT Posts: 118	I change my filter every time also. I just couldn't stand the thought of running clean oil through a dirty filter.

03-03-2008, 01:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
omegajim M-J.Com Lifetime Achievement Award Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 6,527	I used to think the filter didn't work very well; then I switched to semi synthetic and realized that regular oil wasn't very good. Mind you, this bike is nearly 30 years old, so I am hesitant to go to full synthetic. __________________ "FREE TIBET!"* With purchase of one Tibet of equal or greater value.

03-03-2008, 06:45 PM	#18 (permalink)
1badbaker U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2008 Bike: 05 Black M50 Location: Milledgeville, GA Posts: 1,260	Everytime I change the oil, I change the filter. And I'm shelling out the money for the K&N each time.

03-03-2008, 07:45 PM	#20 (permalink)
Copronymous Third gear and cruising Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 M50 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 457	Yes...new filter every time. Every time. __________________ "He's down there right now, looking up at us." M50 Service Manual \|\| He was here just a minute ago. \|\| Don't click here (and especially HERE)

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03-03-2008, 07:07 PM	#19 (permalink)
ulfire911 Seat Tester Joined: Feb 2008 Bike: 2005 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: Santa Rosa, California Posts: 94	Yep, change the oil every time. No reason to put clean oil in your bike and having cycle through a dirty filter. Just make sure you get the proper filter wrench if this is your first time changing it. You'll go hoarse with all the profanity uttered if you try to use a regular car filter wrench on it. __________________ -"Sir...it's not necessary, or wise, to be naked..." -"Pssh, you sound just like my tennis instructor!"

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