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I recently picked up a new 2006 CRF250X. I am new to dirt, not riding. I have a lot to learn. I do all of my own maintenance on all of my bikes. I am riding in the mountains of eastern North Carolina and weigh 180 lb without gear. I don't plan on racing, just having some fun. The only mods so far are a Flatlands skid plate and Acerbis Pro Rally hand guards.

I noticed the owners manual recommending a change of the fork oil after a short time. Is this for the "non-competitive" as well as "competitive" bikes? How many of you actually have changed the oil just after break-in? Did you notice a change?

I have searched the forum (great forum by the way), and along with the maintenance manual, can do the job if I felt it would be worth the work.

Is it worth it?

Thanks,

Gills

I rode mine the whole first season I owned it without changing the oil. Not saying it's "right" or "wrong." Just sayin I had no problems. I do change it yearly now...along with the antifreeze.

The first year was nothing but trail riding and learning the bike.

I was just think the same thing,I would think that they say that so the break in period oils are new and fresh also I would change the factory oil/rad fluid with some thing that you know is good.I just bought a new 06 450x and I`m going with Even rad fluid. check your dealer for a goooood oil .

Change it after you have ridden it a good bit.
You would be surprised how much metal rubbings can come out with the old oil.

You will also probably find the oil height from the factory isn't within spec (they do expect it to be changed remember) so you can sort that at the same time. Use a name brand fork oil at the weight recomended.

Enjoy the trails

Supposedly the fork oil that comes stock isn't real oil... its fish oil

I know a couple folks, and some ofem still use the original oil after 7 years(2001 CR250R) And have had no problem. I will however, most likey rebuild my forks this year or have them totally done by RG3.

I rebuilt my forks after a year and noticed a huge difference. I added a little more oil and know a thing or two bout how valving works so i changed how the oil is distributed between the damper and fork tube. Basically changes when your suspension gets hard. With a little research you can change your oil as a cheap upgrade in your suspension.

You want to change the fork oil after about 5 hrs of riding when the bike is new. This will save your seals and bushings along with the internals. The factory oil sucks and when the suspension breaks in it contaminates quickly. It is a Honda after all and will run forever..... but its still a good idea to change it

Factory-MX wrote:You want to change the fork oil after about 5 hrs of riding when the bike is new. This will save your seals and bushings along with the internals. The factory oil sucks and when the suspension breaks in it contaminates quickly. It is a Honda after all and will run forever..... but its still a good idea to change it

It worked good in the fishes that it came from...you never hear them squeek.

I thought only mammals like dolphins and whales squeaked, not fish. With the noise whales make the need to learn to eat fish and not crill.

Whale oil is only good for diffs so that might explain it.

I'm thinking of changing my fork oil, but there are two chambers, and I don't want to touch my seals. Can both chambers be drained and filled without removing the fork seals?

Thanks,

You will be amazed how contaminated it gets after the first few hours of riding.

I change mine about every year along with seals while I'm in there--it's not hard after you do it few times.

You can get away with never doing it at all, I suppose, but I would recommend doing it at least once after break in.