The classic old question...

[legacy2k]

... this must be asked LOADS i have looked around the forum but havn't come up with anything conclusive, therefore i need to ask...

iv got a S reg (199 Honda XLR 125 what is the right oil for it?? iv given it 2 oil changes in the time iv had it and its about due for its next one

iv used in the past:

Rock Oil Guardian first time then..

Silkolene Comp 4 the second change...

i found rock oil to be the better of those 2, however what is the BEST i can give it, what is it that honda recommend? im not worried about price i want this engine to last forever!

i do occasional off roading (quite rarely though) and average about 50 miles a week on it

which leads me to my last question... how often should i change the oil?? i do it about every 4/5/6 months??? is this ok?? iv only ever had 2 strokes until this bike so im not sure what sort of life span if you can call it that, the oil has???

any help would be appreshiated

cheers guys!

[legacy2k]

anyone??

[meljordan]

Well it looks like your doing about 3000 miles a year, so 4liters of a good oil, ie castrol power gps semi-synthe will cost £30 a year and give you two changes at 6 months or 1500 miles plus two filters total appx £36 quid.
Well worth it as its better than a rebuild.
As it doesn't sound like your thrashing your bike anyway i think this is a good start point.
I know this oil is for high rev engines but if you do occasionaly take your bike onto the dirt and give it a bit of gip then the oil will cope with it.

[hondaxrnut]

i have used silkolene in my xl's xr's and crf230f without any problems, i also change the oil almost every 500 miles, but i dont do much road work, although when my bikes are ridden they are either in competition or a long trail ride, so doing what you are doing that should make the engine last forever.
every time i have had to take apart my engines the piston,head ect is always ok, but you may need to take to cover off the oil spinner in the clutch side and clean it out, i have taken some old engines apart and found them realy gunged up.
the key is frequent oil changes and adjust the timing chain regularly.
i hope this helps