600 Mile Service on GL1800

[LoneriderSr]

Sales dude told me first service 2014 GL1800 is 4000 miles, several Honda Techs recommend 600 miles, what gives? (Upstairs doesn't know what the downstairs recommends....)Anyone know, thinking I should dump the oil at 600 at the very least......

[glarson3]

Manual says first service is an oil change at 4000 miles, then every 8k after that. Only maintenance you should be doing at 600 miles would be adding more gas. Some bikes do have an earlier maintenance, so the Honda techs probably don't work enough on GoldWings to know that they are different. That would be the best possibility. Worst possibility is that they just want your money. In case you don't already know, changing the oil on the GoldWing is very easy to do yourself. Easier than most cars.

[LoneriderSr]

Manual says first service is an oil change at 4000 miles, then every 8k after that. Only maintenance you should be doing at 600 miles would be adding more gas. Some bikes do have an earlier maintenance, so the Honda techs probably don't work enough on GoldWings to know that they are different. That would be the best possibility. Worst possibility is that they just want your money. In case you don't already know, changing the oil on the GoldWing is very easy to do yourself. Easier than most cars.

So much confusion, I called 3 different dealerships all said 600 miles, although there Salespeople quote the manual 4000 miles, my salesguy says theres an additive to help the motor break in, I know from past issues (other bikes) that additives are not good for the wet clutch, Ive always run Rotella T6 Synthetic and my bikes (Suzuki's) it has no additive and my bikes shifted great. Its very confusing, 4000 miles on first oil just doesn't seem right but I'm no Honda Engineer.....

[glarson3]

You can change it early, as it's your bike. Many do, and many don't. I haven't heard anything conclusive that one made things last longer. IMO it just costs more. These engines are bullet-proof. If you come anywhere near close to the recommended oil change intervals it's very unlikely you'll have any issues in hundreds of thousands of miles. I have friends with over 200k miles on their bikes, and the only problem they have is the gas tank has to be filled often. He gets maybe a puff of smoke out occasionally, but never low on oil at standard oil change time.

[rcdoc]

glarson3 were you on the strickly ace forum?

[rcdoc]

loneridersr in the old days I remember taking my bikes in for the 600 mile check up which was a waste of time and money all they did was change the oil supposedly re tighten every bolt and adjust the valves..But in order to keep the warranty I did it. After that The dealer never saw the bikes again. Regular maintenance and fuel is all my bikes need. Ride it, enjoy it, you have one of if not the best bike out there.

[rcdoc]

loneridersr as far as break in oil it's been a while since I have seen it in a car or a bike. I did see it last month on a new peace of equipment. There was a label stating to replace the break in oil after 50 hours.

[glarson3]

glarson3 were you on the strickly ace forum?

If you mean the 'other' site, yes.

[Westdc]

If you feel the need to spend money - Get the 600 mile service - other than that it's not need till 4000 miles - details are in your owners manual.

[LoneriderSr]

I know the details.....4000 miles I asked as every dealership has told me 600 miles...... I have 1500 on it and dropped the Oil today, Oil was clean no parts...shavings, glad I did as it took no effort at all to get the drain plug out, IMO it was loose, not leaking but looser than I was comfy with......

[MountainMan]

From my 2010 Owners Manual (Page 248)

Break-in Guidelines

Help assure your motorcycle’s future reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you ride during the first 300 miles (500 km). During this period, avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration.

According to service and owners manual first oil change is required at 4,000 miles. Oil should then be changed at every 8,000 miles thereafter.

[dB-wingin]

I did mine at 4k per the manual. If any warranty issues were to arise, you did it by the book rather than an opinion. That was my thought anyway!

[Kit Carson]

So much confusion, I called 3 different dealerships all said 600 miles, although there Salespeople quote the manual 4000 miles, my salesguy says theres an additive to help the motor break in, I know from past issues (other bikes) that additives are not good for the wet clutch, Ive always run Rotella T6 Synthetic and my bikes (Suzuki's) it has no additive and my bikes shifted great. Its very confusing, 4000 miles on first oil just doesn't seem right but I'm no Honda Engineer.....

The next time a salesperson tells you something ask them where the fuse box is? That is so funny, you will get the blind dear in the headlight look. Most of them do not have a clue. They sell a product they know little about.

The 1800 is basically a small six cylinder water cooled car engine mounted in a great motorcycle. The time to change the oil the first time is at 4000 miles.

Of course if you change it at 600 just for feel good options, it certainly does not hurt anything. However there are no magic additives to break the engine in.

The game of dealerships and recreational vehicles is to make money, so if the seed of doubt can be successfully planted then they make a bit more money and overall it adds up at the end of the year.

Just like car dealers hawk 3000 mile change intervals on modern vehicles when the owners manuals say depending on the vehicle from around 6000 miles up.

It does no good, and it does no harm to change it at 600 miles, it is just a way for a dealer to make a bit more dough.

[Missouri Charley]

My thought is break it in hard then ride it hard, that engine is one tough cookie. Did I mention cookies? LOL

[Pizza Man]

When I bought my new 06 Goldwing/Champion Trike, I took mine back to the dealer at 2,000 miles for a free checkup and oil/filter change. They also checked the trike kit for me to make sure everything was ok and it was..

[LoneriderSr]

1500 miles, dropped the Oil today, Oil was clean no parts...shavings, etc, glad I did as it took no effort at all to get the drain plug out, IMO it was loose, not leaking but looser than I was comfy with......very loose drain plug........