Has anyone performed an oil change yet and willing to share details? The bike's documentation is vague at best about drain plug(s), filter, oil wt/type, fill process, etc. I have about 400 miles logged and want to do the first change at 500-600 miles. Thanks in advance. Rich in Placitas
Hi Rich - my first post here, also owner of a new Terra. As you discovered, the manuals about as much value as monopoly money and as useful as chocolate buttons in the sahara. The main drain plug is located beneath the motor at centre, can't mistake it has the brass crush washer and is central to the motor. Most of the oil is contained in the upper tank, in the neck of the frame. Dip stick and filler neck off set to the right of the steering head as you sit on the bike. Most of the oil is contained in this upper tank. Bike on side stand face the left side of your bike and glance beneath the left plastic tank panel. You will notice there is the oil line coming out from the lower side of the tank in frame. Follow that line back a short distance and you will see the access drain point. basically an allen head bolt counter sunk into a small square double ended male union. I managed to get sufficient leverage on the flat sides of this block using a large cresset wrench. Whilst using an allen bit in a 3/8 drive to break the seal. Actually makes the job quite accesible from this access point. Using a long funnel into an old oil container piece of cake on the side stand. Oil filter sits just back of the finned and exposed regulator on the rhs of the engine. Just above and forward of the CS sprocket cover. # torx bolts and your away. Might of been easier to post pix, but the lights fading and currently loaded on the bike rack. Hope this helps, let me know if you need pix. Trust you are enjoying this gem of bike ~ fleche
Forgot to mention i used a large transparent disgarded water container to drain into. Marked the level before transferring out. Cleaned then replenished with equivalent volume. I purchased 15/50 Motul from Dan at point of sale(i think they recommend 10/50). Used a large funnel up top that easily fit well into the filler neck. The trick is to not over fill this sucker. Also once it gets up to a certain point you may want to let it sit for a while. Once i got 2/3 in i ran the motor briefly to help circulate. But definitely need to lean on the side of 'steady as she goes', or it's over that neck rapido! There may well be a better method, as folks chime in. Good luck and good riding!
Flèche, Thanks for the informative reply, no pics needed. On the Motul oil, did you use full synthetic? You're right, this bike's a gem! I'm having a blast and am and the envy of my grizzled, grouchy biker buds. Thanks again, Rich in PLacitas
Hey Rich, glad to hear you've been bitten by the kitten! Yep, fully synthetic from the get go. A first for me, one foot in the cave and all that. But i must say, the leaps and bounds technology is having on our toys, is a joy to behold. I can really see this one getting used to death! cheers`fleche
Flèche another question...what about the oil filter? My dealer doesn't have Husky filters yet but I am told GS650 ones are the same (one would hope so). What was your experience? Did you use a BMW or a Husky filter? Also crush washers...same question. Didn't i read where the oil drain from the frame is unique to the Husky motor? Thanks again, Rich in PLacitas
As toyboy already mentioned the k and n filter. You could also go to bmw, aprilia, ccm(once upon a time) possibly bombadier, rotax, canam, armstrong, atk maybe even brp. The motor has a long history. Current oil filters the same as the forst rotax i had 25tyrs ago.
Thanks flèche and toy boy. The local BMW yocals were giving me jive about the filter changing when the GS went to fuel injected so they scared me off. But I still have some miles to go before oil change so all is good.
You say 2 1/2 quarts? In the handbook it says 2 quarts that's what my shop put in for the required amount at its first oil change.
I'm using Redline 10-50, The oil filter is in a good spot, can't change it without a mess. I'm reminded of my Harley
There's some good info on oil and filter change on the F650 forum. This guy has managed to significantly reduce the mess by making a tool from a discarded soda can. In similar situations I usually do something similar with aluminum foil folded over several times for extra thickness, then cut and bent to shape. http://faq.f650.com/GSFAQs/GS_Oil_Change_FAQ.htm#Oil Filter Removal Drip Tray Lots of good information there about the general maintenance of the engine. Much of it applies here.
Me too. And all the little tricks, gadgets, foil, garbage cans, funnels etc. I tried. Hey, at least half the time I didn't dump oil everywhere.
I have the service manual PDF as well, and can't find the torque value for the magnetic drain bolt on the bottom of the engine. I like to know the torque values until I do a procedure a few times-- So for this time I used 24nm for magnetic drain bolt (like Highfive). 10nm for oil filter cover bolts (3) 24nm for in-line 5mm allen bolt (drains chassis)
