Modern Buddy

After looking at Mike's excellent photo description of changing the Buddy's oil and the 1,000 klm/621 oil/filter change interval I have to ask the question.

How would a Buddy owner take a long Scooter Adventure ride like the Scooter Cannonball or a cross-country ride?

I think that the PGO-recommended schedule is extremely conservative, particularly if one is using synthetic oils (after engine break-in). The filter change interval is 5000km or just over 3100mi, which would mean that the oil is changed 5 times during each service period for the filter. Keep in mind, too, that the service schedule is likely intended for rough conditions, like all city short distance stop-and-go driving. If one were taking a long trip at sustained speeds, there is much less wear-and-tear, and the oil service live would naturally be longer. It would be great if we had a recommendation from Genuine for a more rational oil change interval.

You'll note that there is very little oil capacity; less than a quart.
That little but of fluid can get dirty pretty quickly.

I asked my dealer about the first oil change and was told, just drive it and bring it in for the 500 mile service for an oil change. I asked them to replace the filter, at first they were just going to change the oil only.

I asked about the gear oil change and was told that it was too early for that. I changed the gear oil myself, and used Royal Purple 85-140 wt synthetic gear oil. They used 10w40 oil instead of 15w40 oil.

I purchased some Royal Purple synthetic oil for the next oil change I will perform myself. I found oil filters, but it cost almost as much as the dealer, $8.95, but $7.00 shipping for $15.95 total (online @ Scooter Parts Direct in Georgia), or $20.00 at the dealer. (same as a Piaggio, Genuine part # 82636R or 5DOT)

As I learn more I will pass it on.

My dealer told me that I need to bring it in for initial service at 200 miles, and then all that I need to do was bring it back in every 2000 miles or approx every year. Does this sound right? He said that it is because of they put in synthetic oil.(he did see the sticker about the 1000km oil change)

What has your dealers told you? And is there anything else that needs to be changed other than the oil and gear oil?

bring it back in every 2000 miles or approx every year

My husband and I have put 1300 miles on our Buddies in 6 weeks so we'll be having oil changes every few months! Goodness gracious!

BoneGirl wrote:

bring it back in every 2000 miles or approx every year

My husband and I have put 1300 miles on our Buddies in 6 weeks so we'll be having oil changes every few months! Goodness gracious!

Ditto that !

BoneGirl wrote:

bring it back in every 2000 miles or approx every year

My husband and I have put 1300 miles on our Buddies in 6 weeks so we'll be having oil changes every few months! Goodness gracious!

Thats like 200 miles a week cool.

The absolute cheapest insurance you can have for your scooter is clean oil. I got my Bajaj a year ago and have 7000 miles on it. I change the oil about every 1000 miles. The first couple thousand, I did it every 500 miles. During break in, as the metal parts wear to each other, small pieces of metal get scraped off to create that optimum contact. These small pieces of metal need to be removed from the engine as soon as possible to prevent them from migrating to places where they shouldn't be...like in a bearing, or between the piston and cylinder wall. Oil is cheap when compared to an engine rebuild. The few minutes required to change the oil is minimal compared to being without the scooter for a month because the engine is being rebuilt. Please, if you are unsure, err on the side of caution. Change it often.

--Keys

So, should I use synthetic oil or regular oil. If so, when should I start using them? I am not too experience with oil change and stuff.

The decision to use synthetic or regular oil is kinda up to you. I have always used just a high quality regular oil. It's cheap and I can change it frequently. I use a Valvoline blend designed specifically for motorcycles...you can get it at Checker Auto Part for about 3 and a half buck a quart. Castrol also sells a good quality motorcycle-specific oil afor about the same price at WalMart. I personally have no experience with synthetics, but most people have great results with them. Whatever you use, change it a little more often than recommended for good insurance.

--Keys

I have just changed my oil/filter for the first time at 1,500 miles. I let the dealer change the first one at 500 miles. I spoke with several mechanics and decided to use Royal Purple synthetic 15w-40 and for the gear oil I am using Royal Purple 85w150 synthetic. I am going to use Rotella-T oil on my wife's scooter motor and gear oil to compare mileage, when she gets 1,500 miles on hers.

I ride mine to work everyday, around 28 miles round trip, so it gets the miles quicker. I still plan on changing the oil every 1,000 miles, along with the filter and gear oil. It's only o.o8 liters of gear oil and 0.8-0.9 liters of oil. I am getting oil filters for $8.00 each, plus $4.00 shipping to my place of business (cheaper UPS to a business) I think I can afford that, while getting 103 mpg.

I will keep you posted.

Any more updates on this?

I've changed my oil and filter once myself and had them changed once at the dealer.

I have NOT done anything to the gear oil and I don't think the dealer did a gear oil change either.

Scootle now has 3200+ on her and I'm thinking that in a week or so - gonna do probably 100-200 miles this week - I'll change the filter and oil again.

What's the prevailing wisdom on this now?

sotied wrote:Any more updates on this?

I've changed my oil and filter once myself and had them changed once at the dealer.

I have NOT done anything to the gear oil and I don't think the dealer did a gear oil change either.

Scootle now has 3200+ on her and I'm thinking that in a week or so - gonna do probably 100-200 miles this week - I'll change the filter and oil again.

What's the prevailing wisdom on this now?

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First oil change/dealer service at 300-800 miles, depending on dealer recommendation. Subsequent oil changes (engine oil, new filter, gear oil) every 2,000 miles. Larger maintenance service every 4K (check valves, carb, rollers, etc.).

I don't drive that much, probably 1000 miles or less. So every spring I change oil and oil filter.