Name, your new bike came with Castrol full synthetic oil right from the factory. So not sure why you are concerned. Most new cars and bikes today the same. Semi or full syn is per the owners manual will not hurt the bike or seize the engine. Not to worry. I have been riding for 40+ years and always have used full syn oil without issue.
It is interesting reading that Triumph now put full synthetic in at the factory. When did it change from mineral oil from the factory? According to the Triumph dealer mine had mineral oil from the factory, changed at 500 miles, I assumed they did that because there is very little time and use for the oil viscosity to degrade, so no need for synthetic.
I don't know what came in mine, but i swapped it at 80 miles so now it's conventional until i hit a 1000-1500
I think this is a valid concern, bit im curious as to what sort of additive might be expected? Im not a mechanic, but i can't imagine what that would be. As far as contaminated oil i think even 1500 miles is a very short interval and i have installed a k&n oil filter. Update as of today i feel the bike either through this method or just general miles or my imagination is gaining in throttle response. Scared myself a little yesterday
Wow, this is worrisome. My 2018 t120 is in an annoyingly tight spot so i thought the nut would be nice, but I'll be going a different brand at the next. Hopefully 2 years out from this i shouldn't be in danger, but never know. Thanks for the heads up! I actually had concerns right after i put it on about the nut hanging below clearance of everything else and just this type of thing happening
I've been building and working on engines most all my life (73+ yrs.). I have never heard or SEEN the need to change engine oil at 50 miles ! People tend to get stupid about oil changes. It becomes a religious ritual with them. I worked in a engine rebuild shop at one point in my career. We told them 500 miles. We used assembly lube putting engines together, so you had to wash all that stuff out. Also the rings would be well seated by then, and, we would recheck the valve clearances. But go by whatever the manufacturer recommends. ...J.D.
My 2009 Triumph Bonneville America was run in by 'feel' when it was fully warmed up I gave it more and more throttle progressively, when the run in period was up I got the oil change. The engine was very "Tight" for first 5,000 -8000 klms. You can tell when you are approaching full run in - the throttle response and fuel economy are at peak. So it tool nearly 7,000 klms before I could even get close to the claimed mileage per gallon that Triumph stated ! I'm now Mid tour 6,000 plus klms from Northam WA to Darwin and return. Towing my camper trailer has really helped the engine clear out anything bad and it had "fully awakened" it goes harder now than it ever has ! Only took 122,000 klms to get there ...
To those following, I'm at about 630 miles now and break in seems to be coming along. My average miles per gallon and overall engine performance has steadily increased. Curious what anyone with the same bike gets for mpg? Initially mine was around 42 and has this increased to 44.8 mpg average. I ride fairly aggressively and have been primarily riding windy country roads with lots of acceleration and deceleration between curves.
Since I don't think any of us here are chemical engineers, our opinions really do not matter. Follow the manufacturer's giudelines. Of course you have to use what oil is available in your area that fits those guidelines. ...J.D.
This is an old thread I know.....when I bought my T100 new in 2020 the sales man said get the oil out soon as you can around 500miles as the factory oil is SAE30 break in oil. I never have been able to confirm this....and I would love to as as soon as my oil was dropped at 500 miles on cold start my engine started a metallic tapping.....but not until around 30 seconds after a cold start.....gooes after about 3 mins and is sweet till the next cold start..... Bike has now done 8000 miles + and is no worse. I did the first oil change myself due covid lock down correct spec of castrol and a triumph filter. Alway done my own spanner work...cars bikes trucks. The problem I have is not just mine.....I have been contacted by many after my posts on forums seeking an answer's to whats causing the tapping. Triumph have been ZERO HELP. If the salesman was correct in that the factory first oil fill is indeed SAE30 it would answer some questions. I still have some of the first oil....wonder what would be involved having it analysed. My first thought was valve gap....there are fine I checked. Nick in the UK.
Sorry i have to disagree. The oil in the bike from Triumph bed in oil and at 80 miles hasn't even started to do its job. My 400 clearly states in the service hand book 600miles. And semi synthetic is my choice. But each to their own.
