My 2 pennies worth:
1) Yamaha engineers are WAY better qualified to recommend maintenance schedules & oil specifications than most of us here, so I think its best to go by the owners manual.
2) What Kev says is true about oil technology moving ahead over the past 10 years. I think you could probably go for double the oil change interval without causing damage, assuming regular riding.
3) The oil filter will of course be covered in particles: that is precisely its function & doubtless has been designed to work even in worst case conditions when it looks clogged up

If this was such a big deal, wouldn't there be far more engine failures etc. accross the industry? Furthermore, how long does the OP think he'll keep his bike? Will this attention to detail really enhance its residual value or make the bike much more powerful? I like to look after stuff & follow maintenance procedures etc., but changing oil after 100km seems like overkill....

+1. For the first time ever I left the oil in my bike to 1000km, as per the book. Imo this was a big mistake. The oil stank and was grey, and the filter had (unsurprisingly) stacks of metal in it. And I have a rattly motor, which I attribute to not doing a 250km oil change.

Regardless of obeying the law, my bike uses a small amount of oil after 3000km (about 5mm on the dipstick). That's on a motor only 14k old.

No arguments with anyone about using mineral oil after an early change up to 1000km. Best to be safe there, I reckon.

If the oil was Grey it has been contaminated with moisture.

Next month I am on my 45th new motorcycle & can honestly say I have never had one problem running my motors to the manufactures 1000km service interval.

Most problems are caused by not using a engine, ride the **** out of it don't leave it in the garage collecting moister.:075:

Hehe well my 2 penny worth.....I used to work for Land Rover in Solihull and I saw the engines being built and I frequently talked to the builders. In the old days running in was vital as tolerances, materials and oils were not like they are now. Today every engine is run before it is fitted to a car (or a bike) so running in is no longer important as it was 30 years ago (perhaps when that article was written). I too have had umpteem bikes new and used over the past 25 years and engine problems have NEVER featured. Ride on!!!!

experience of high mileage engines
 

Modern vehicles have far too high a service interval. I can explain why this is (its all down to fleet purchases and "green" credentials) if you want, however I can only repeat what 2 different motor engine oil technologist / chemists have told me.. (Interdependent oil manufactures.)

"NO engine oil will stay in spec beyond 8,000 miles" (approx 10,000 k)

I have experience of over 40 years running very high mileage engines (more recently in taxi's)

We are regularly seeing total engine failures at 75,000 miles or less on vehicles serviced to manufactures service intervals.

Changing oil at 10,000 miles instead of the recommended 12,000 miles extends the engine life to about 100,000 to 120,000 miles.

Changing the oil at 8,000 miles or less gives 250,000 miles + and still counting.

So if you feel like changing your oil.. go for it ;)

You will do no harm to the engine. ;)

If you want to confirm what I am saying ask any Ford mechanic about the standard problems with the 1600cc diesel engine in the Ford Focus? Citroen use the same engine and exactly the same happens..

I am currently running 2 Fiat Doblo taxi's which get thrashed 16 hours a day.. They get an oil change every 7 / 8,000 miles

According to the manufacturer (Fiat) the 1600cc 16 valve should be changed at 21k to 25,000 miles for 1st service! But they only guarantee the engine for 60,000 miles (100K)

At 6,000 the oil had thickened and was like double cream and was grey with metal fragments!

Both taxis run noticeably better and give more Miles to the gallon after the service.. indicating lower wear on the engine.

The cost of the oil is more than made back with better MPG.

PS I flush the engines each time too. ;) so far only had one engine failure at 333,250 miles on a petrol turbo engine, and I'm still annoyed at that.! :cry[1]:

Did 154.000km so far on 2009 Tenere, oil change according to schedule. At 90.000km it started consuming oil at that time I only added and not replaced the oil. Around 130.000 the oil consumption became >1l/1000km. I replaced the piston rings and valve seals. Oil consumption became negligible.

No conclusions just my story.

BTW I am using the cheapest mineral oil I can find (2euro/L)

Wow - Very impressive and gives us mere mortals something to aim at and certainly no reason to trade in an XT with less than 100k on the clock!

Good effort that man.

Sorry about the late reply - away at work.

I can't match your total Kev - I'm about to take delivery of only my 33rd new bike this week. I can confidently say that the worst oil I've ever seen or smelt came out of my Tenere at 1000km, and the grey was metal, not coolant or other liquid, as there's been no repeat performance.

So, whether I'm right or wrong, my new bike will be getting its oil and filter dumped at 200km, and refilled with mineral until 1000 rolls around.

Having said that, I respect your experience, and that of the amazing Niek, who has proved that we all get too alarmed about oil!

Can't help it. Oil addict. I need oilaholics anonymous.

No harm in over servicing a motor.

I see 500 cars a week through my garage that I run & have been in the motor trade for 33 years & speak from first hand experience not here say, the brand I work for have their first service (oil change) at 15000kms & we have no engine failures due to poor engine conditions. If I feared there was any problem with time or distance oil changes I would be the first person to warn everyone, these days I am playing with +$20K priced motorcycles if for one min I thought there was problems with the oil or filters not lasting the service interval I would be the first person telling everyone to change their oil sooner & ignore the engineers & manufactures as they do not know what they are talking about.