Today I changed my oil and oil filter. I changed the oil to 10w40 yamalube and the filter to the oem yamaha filter. My gearbox now shifts smoother, especially from first to second, my bike revs smoother, and my clutch is easier to feel out. I had resigned myself to the clunky gearbox, this is great!
My bike only has 6500 miles btw.
When I rode my 2008 Cobalt Blue FZ6 off the showroom floor in June, it had zero miles and came with a crankcase full of Yamalube 10w40. And wow, did those gears feel clunky, the clutch was tricky and handling the throttle on-off with the fuel injection was a new experience to me.
At 600 miles, the dealer changed the oil and filter, once again putting in the Yamalube for the continuation of the break-in period.
The place is run by two brothers (for thirty years or so) who unquestionably love motorcycles. The one guy's son insisted I return with my ride at about 1500 miles to change out the oil and filter again, but this time to replace the Yamalube dino oil with Motul 5100 semi-synthetic ester blend motorcycle oil.
As I rode the FZ6 up to that mile mark, the gearbox seemed to get a little better, but still felt clunky at times, especially first to second gear. I was getting used to the clutch and the necessarily smoooth throttle input required by the fuel injection.
At almost 1600 miles, I took it in for the swap to the Motul semi-synthetic oil. The difference was discernible the instant I pulled out of the dealer's driveway. The clutch felt a LOT better. The first to second shift became a clack instead of a clunk, while the rest of the gearing was butter smooth.
I would NOT have believed that just changing the type of oil used would make such a difference. Did I mention that the engine seems to rev better also?
I highly recommend switching to Motul 5100 ester based semi-synthetic motorcycle oil. It is formulated specifically for bike engines like ours. I bought a case of it, and now are doing my own changes using Purolator PureOne PL14610 Oil filters (about $6 at NJ Pep Boys).
The clutch, gearbox and engine are a lot smoother with the Motul, and I believe their operating life will be greatly increased with continued use of Motul 5100 and regular oil/filter changes.
If you do switch to the Motul from natural dino oil, be aware that the new semi-synth oil will clean out and pick up all kinds of grunge from inside your motor, so you should plan on replacing the first batch of Motul with a second batch in about 1500 miles or so, and making sure you change the filter too. Then change regularly every 4000 miles or so.
I like the Purolator PureOne PL14610 oil filter way better than the stock Yamaha one that seems to be made like a Fram. The PL14612 will fit also, but the PL14610 has a slightly larger internal volume, which allows for all of three quarts (as opposed to the '2.96 US quarts' with stock oil filter and oil change)
And by the way, check your chain and sprocket. I clean mine with Simple Green, old toothbrush and a rag - and hose it off. Take quick ride to warm up the chain, and then spray it thoroughly with DuPont Teflon Multi-Use Dry Wax Lubricant (available at Lowe's, for one).
No fling, no mess, and the chain actually looks clean and dry (but it's not 'dry'). Repeat every 500 miles. A clean and lubricated drive chain greatly adds to the smoothness.
Good luck with your machine!
(only 1800 miles on it!)
