Don't blame slower cranking/starting to the oil only.

The main reason is the remarkable lower capacity of the battery when cold/freeze .

People are different.
I use cheap (mineral) oil according Honda standards.
But good brand.

I think my engine will run 100,000 miles.
Then, my age is 81.

Bill, I second Bigbirds comments; my climate is about the same as yours and I also use Rotella T6 5-40 synthetic and SuperTech oil filters, both avail at Walmart. Rotella is widely used in motorcycles. You can find motorcycle specific oil at most of the auto stores in 10-40 if you prefer that, in synthetic or dino. As mentioned before, I have a buddy with over 200,000 miles on his '03 Wing, using only dino oil, changed at specified intervals. Same guy....2 belt changes. If you don't ride much, I'd suggest using only dino oil and change now before winterizing, and maybe again in early spring. By putting fresh oil in you get rid of any acidic contaminents in the old stuff while the scoot sits thur the winter. Spring change will rid it of any moisture that might have accumulated from condensation. Thats my take on; others have their own. As Dale said above, its not rocket science, don't worry, be happy.

Bill,

I wish you the best, and I believe I prefaced my comments correctly. Sorry about that.

Bill, by dino I mean regular oil as opposed to "synthetic". Just a bit more info for you: you can use any 10w-40 oil in the SW. It need not be labeled "Motorcycle oil" where you pay a premium as long as the circle on the back of the can does not specify that it is "conservation" (or somesuch). Most other grades of oil, like 10-30, 5-40, 5-20, etc do say that on the back and are intended mainly for autos to improve milage and lack some of the additives that cycles & scooters require. Take a stroll thru Walmart and read the labels.

On the other hand, you can get Valvoline dino motorcycle oil at walmart for under $4 a quart or Valvoline synthetic MC oil for $8. Mobil 1 syn MC oil is just under $10.

I noticed today that Walmart had Penzoil 10-40 in 5 qt jugs for about $15; this is regular 10w-40 dino for cars, and being non-conservation, also suitable for scooters.

Personally, I'd stick with an oil labled JASO/Ma in 10-40 for your climate. Earlier I suggested 5-40 thinking for some reason you were here in the SE, but Vegas is, I believe hotter, so the 10-40 will serve you well all year round, be it dino or syn.

Heres a forum about oils and may be a bit overwhelming at this point but if you scroll down to the section on motorcycles you can read what others say. Many of these ride cycles which use wet clutches....thats where the transmission shares the same oil as the motor...and its highly recommended that motorcycle oil be used as they don't have any undue slippery stuff that will cause the clutch to slip. Most Japanese motorcycles use wet clutches, most BMW's and some other Euro's cycles do not.

In our scooters, we don't have transmissions like cycles so the type oil is not as critical. http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php

For those living in hot climates you may find this info useful if you don't already know.
The Swing's oil filter is surrounded by a housing which is heated/cooled by the cooling system. This helps warm the oil from cold as well as cool the oil when it gets hot.
For this reason a higher viscosity oil is not needed in the Swing if driving even in high desert temps. As long as the radiator keeps the temp gauge at 3 bars, your oil will always be at a constant temp around 190F. You have no worries about the oil reaching too high temps resulting in thinning and breakdown. That's why 10W-30 is acceptable even in hot climates. Ever wonder why our Swings have a recommended oil change interval of 8k miles and HD's and Victorys less than 5k miles? It's because of the liquid cooling of the engine and the oil cooler.

Bigbird: good info...thanks. Not that it matters but I think Victory has upped thiers to about 8K.

Just curious tho, how many of you go the full 8K or anywhere near that?

I changed my previous scooters, and will also on the SW, about every 4K. They're just so easy to do, it makes me feel good doing it.

In contrast, the Can Am calls for synthetic oil with both oil and filter change every 3K. Its both water and oil cooled, yet the temp guage fluctuates considerable, rising to an "acceptable" level during slow traffic to the point that the radiator fan comes on. It is one highly technical machine and not at all easy to do your own oil changes. Mine has the electric clutch and that model uses a transmission filter as well as one for the motor. Neither are the screw on type; much like the B400.

.

http://www.silverwing600.com/t1550-on-line-owners-manual?highlight=owners+manual

Please check page 89 of the booklet pointed to in the link of the first post of the thread.

Honda Motors recommends that the oil and filter be changed at the initial service point, 600 miles (1,000 km) and the recommended interval thereafter (for both oil and filter) is every 8,000 miles (12,800 km).

Checked both of the owner's manuals we have in our garage and my service manual for a cross reference - same result.

Yes, I know the link is to a 2005 owner's manual. No fault there, the 2009 owner's manual that bigbird most likely used to come up with the original 8,000 figure serves as an ample cross check.

I just changed my oil and filter to day. I used Castrol full Synthetic oil 5 w 40.
I for one thought all synthetics where all the same and superior to regular oil. I installed a WIK 51356 filter .After oil change I notice ABS light was on,and stayed on. I figured , being on the center stand ,was the cause for ABS light to stay on. A Respond would be appreciated .

Oddly enough my previous post contains a link that will take you to an owners manual. Check page 19.

"ABS indicator light
Lights when there is any abnormality in the anti-lock brake system (ABS). Normally, this indicator comes on when the ignition switch is turned ON, and goes off after you ride the scooter at a speed above 6 mph (10 km/h). If the indicator comes on while riding, stop the scooter in a safe place and turn off the engine. Refer to , page . For information about ABS, see page 70 Lamp Check."

Tinman do you have a 'User Manual' the one that comes with the bike. It is available online in .pdf format. It will answer a lot of your 'light' questions regards to what lights are on/off in the various power modes.

I'll try and locate the link.

Link for Owners manual.

http://www.hondampe.com.au/docs/owning_a_honda/owners_manuals/motorcycles/FJS600DA-2007.pdf

yes I have a owners manual It was in my sw and I retrieved it to day when
I pulled my sw to do my oil change .I will read it again to understand my sw better. I will have to read again tonight.

I know. If its not one thing " Its Two "