Two weeks ago I bought my new and beautiful WR250. This is my first brand-new bike.

After going through the break-in process for about 100 Km, I brought my new bike to the Yamaha dealer for its first check and oil change. While being there, I asked the dealer about the oil that they would put in my bike, and he said "SynPower" from Valvoline, which is a Full Synthetic Motor Oil.

It was weird to hear that he was going to use a Full Synthetic Motor Oil on a very new bike. I said that it might not be a good idea to have a full synthetic oil during the break-in, and he told me that "these bikes were supposed to be ready for race after a single gas tank, using the oil that comes with the bike".

I didn't want to argue about this (because this was my first new bike, and my first Yamaha), and I just said that this time, I wanted to have a regular mineral oil. The dealer strongly suggested not to use mineral oil, and he convinced my to us Valvoline DuraBlend Synthetic Blend Motor Oil.

I asked for a oil can to check it, and I couldn't find any details on the kind of blend, but at least the label said "specially formulated for 4-stroke motorcycles".

Now, I am confused and worried.

My question are: Should I let the Yamaha dealer to put this Valvoline DuraBlend Synthetic Blend Motor Oil in my new bike? Have you used this brand? Any suggestion?

Thanks,
Luis.

To me, yamaha seems to have a very short break in period. I don't remember what the specs were in the manual, but I ran a little more than two tanks full of fuel before I started to really romp on the bike. As for oil type, I am a strong believer in breaking in a motor with a regular oil and then moving to a synthetic. I have never used the Valvoline oil in my bike and I don't know of any one around me that is using it either. I have used Yamalube since day one, and have written a few posts on it. Members probably think I am a sales rep. for the oil by now, But I can tell you that I have had Zero clutch or motor problems from the oil.

The thing that you want to make sure of is that the label tells you that it is safe for wet clutches. Otherwise it might contain additives that can cause your clutch to slip and burn up. You can probably use any type of motor oil for the motor and have no problems, but you have to look out for the clutch.

If you look in your service manual, it will give you the specs and certifications for the proper oil to be used. I wouldn't recommend using any type of oil that doesn't contain the specs that are stated.

It is possible that the dealer didn't carry another type of oil and that is why he pressured you into using it. Sometimes you just need to follow your gut instincts.

Sorry I am not familiar with the Valvoline DuraBlend, maybe some other members are using it and can give you some positive feed back.

90 minutes of a specific pattern of riding is all the YZF's take for break in. I would assume the WR's are similar. It never hurts to baby it longer.

The main reason you use regular oil for breaking is to allow some wear to happen. Especially the rings, without this wear they will never seal properly. And that spells loss of hp. The cam also needs a tad shade of wear itself.

As long as the oil you use is "formulated for 4 stroke motorcycles" (the key words being, wet clutches, and 4 stroke) then you should be ok. It sounds like he's trying to jack you for more bucks using the synthetic vs. regular oil. But it may be nothing more than his preference for that oil that made him recommend the synthetic. In the end it's your choice, but if you dont know enough, then listen to the pro.
I.E. time to start learning.

Welcome to the party. Now read up on the free mods, and do them. They will open up the bike to its full potential. Almost a YZF LOL.

I found Valvoline's web page (european), with a picture of the bottle that the dealer showed me. I could'nt find this type of oil in the US's web page.

http://www.valvoline...ls/4stroke.html

Besides the quality of the oil, I am still worried about using a mineral-synthetic blend so early (this bike has only gone through one gas tank). Should I use mineral oil, or should I let the dealer put a semi-synthetic oil?

BTW, I didn't find anything in the manual about motor oil for break-in.

When I got my 03 YZF, I asked which oil and the mechanic told me that he uses Kawasaki four stroke because it is cheap and just as good in breakdown tests. He had Honda oil, Yamalube, and various synthetics. He still recommended the Kawasaki because if you change your oil when you're supposed to, the chances of you spinning a bearing or burning a clutch are next to none....UNLESS YOU RIDE EVIL, WICKED, MEAN, AND NASTY LIKE ME!!!!!!!!

YZ250F Rider nailed it on the head when he mentioned using a regular oil to allow the motor to break in properly. Once the motor is broken in you can use a full synthetic or a synthetic blend. There should be no problem.

If you are that worried about what oil to use right away, then run the bike with another tank full of gas before you decide to switch oils. By then the motor will be broken in enough for you to run a synthetic.

If it was my choice I would run a full synthetic. I run it in my truck and I run it in my bike and have not had a problem with either one.

I use Yamalube R4 10W-50 and have had no problems. There have been other posts that indicate that many people use Yamalube and Mobil 1 four stroke motorcycle oil. More importantly, change the oil and filters often. Oil is cheap compared to parts.

Since I still was not sure about using a mineral-synthetic oil blend (i.e. Valvoline DuraBlend) during the “extended break-in”, I called the Yamaha regional dealer and asked the same question:

Is it wise to use a synthetic-mineral blended oil after a single gas tank for a brand new WR250 (European model)?.

And he said: "There is no problem. You can use a blended oil like Valvoline DuraBlend for the “extended break-in” as long as it is specially designed for 4-stroke motorcycles. In fact, the Yamalub 4 that we sell is a blend, and not pure mineral oil".

In conclusion, I will let the Yamaha dealer to put Valvoline Durablend in my bike. I hope it will work fine.

Thanks again to all of you.