new Buddy 125...oil & gear oil recommendations

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:04 am

just got a new Buddy 125...this will be my 2nd one & I'm fairly familiar with them; just curious about what y'all recommend for engine oil & gear oil; first off, the owner's and shop manuals call for 15w-40 for the engine & sae 140 for gear oil (owner's manual) and sae 85w-140 for gear oil (shop manual)...

I plan on giving my shop a quart of 15w-40 to use for the first service between 250-350 miles; I plan on doing another oil & filter change at 1000 miles using 15w-40 (Valvoline All Fleet conventional 15w-40 I got on clearance for 1 cent each at a local Auto Zone); after that I'll consider the engine fully broken-in and open to suggestions (I have 8 quarts of Suzuki synthetic blend 10w-40 motorcycle oil leftover for use in a motorcycle I no longer own...not sure whether to use it in the Buddy or use something different)

gear oil...my shop has Amsoil synthetic 75w-140, but again I am open to suggestions; thanks

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:16 am

i use olive oil in the engine and a nice truffle oil in the gearbox

may not run well but it's the only Buddy Gourmet out there

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 5:33 am

Use 15W40 engine oil and SAE140 gear oil as specified in the manual. Dino oil for the first 600 miles, then switch to synthetic.

250-350 miles is a bit early for the first oil change,. You can do it if you want to, but stick with dino until around 600-800 miles.

The only reason to use a different weight of engine oil is a slightly lighter weight if you're riding in winter in extremely cold climates.

As for brands, well… Don't go too cheap. People get religious about it but what's most important is using the correct weight and doing your oil and filter changes according to the schedule. I have my favorites, Motul for engine and gear when available. Rotella or Castrol Power if not. Anything but the cheap cheap stuff if I can't get those, but I'll change it when I can.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:28 am

What Eric said.

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 9:13 pm

the reason I'm having the first service done @ 250-350 miles is the owner's manual calls for it at 300km or 186 miles; found this interesting comparison of heavy duty engine oils referenced at the Bob is the Oil Guy website...

http://www.pqiamerica.com/March2013PCMO ... Yrev2.html

even the 'cheap' ones (traveller & super tech...both bottled by Warren Performance Products or Warren North East) seem to have strong readings; the Valvoline stuff I got is very similar to the Napa brand (Ashland makes Valvoline and Napa brands) and that's what I'm using for the break-in;

the Chevron Delo LE400 has a nice antiwear additive package (zinc, phosphorous, molybdenum, and boron), but lacks a bit on the TBN (acid nullification)...should still do good for 2000 mile oil change intervals

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:30 pm

Most dealers, mechanics and even Genuine have said that the 250-300 mile change is too early and 600 miles is more realistic. They've just never updated the manuals!

Reason is that you'll still have some metal shavings (from the manufacturing process) working their way through the system at 300 miles and the piston rings probably haven't properly seated yet.

General consensus is that youy observe break in procedure (however you choose to break it in) for 600 miles, do the first change, switch to synthetic, then go have fun!

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:42 pm

That is what my owners manual said too. So I changed to synthetic crank case and gear oil, Rotella T6 15w30 at 350 miles. Guess I had better go to 15x40 at 800 miles as per the manual. The rig is running nicely on this combo. Changed the filter at 350 miles also.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 6:11 pm

With an air-cooled engine such as the Buddy I would think that 15W40 (or 10W40) is a better choice - especially in the summer.

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:24 pm

ok here's what I'm doing...dealer does 1st service this Thursday; I'm giving them a quart of conventional 15w-40, either Valvoline All Fleet or Chevron Delo 400LE and they provide the filter (HiFlo Filtro HF 183) & they change the gear oil and do an overall check and do necessary adjustments (my handlebars are canted slightly to the left and the seat release is sticking a bit;

I will do my own service (new oil, oil filter, and gear oil) @ 1,000 miles to finish the break-in process...will probably select the Chevron Delo 400LE 15w-40 to run (or a quart of the Suzuki 10w-40 synthetic blend I have if the temps start dropping); with manufacturer oil change intervals of 1800-2000 miles I can't see wasting $10 + per quart of synthetic oil when I can't use it to its full potential

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:53 pm

I buy my oil by the gallon, it is cheaper that way and I buy my oil fi;lters for
the 170i from my dealer and change them myself. Now keep in mind that I
am servicing 3 scooters.