Those oil filler caps were designed by the Sierra Club! They are terrible at holding dirt under them! Before you remove these (while the engine is cold), wash around the caps with a hose, or at the very least, blow around them with some forced air. These things are miserable!

Did my first oil/filter change after about 2 hrs. break-in riding. There were a few bits of metal in the oil filter, but nothing major. I added the recommended 0.82 quart of oil, which came to the top of the glass on the side. But, when I started the engine, the oil disapeared! Had to add more like a full quart to get it up to the right level. I am going to run GN4 (dino oil) for about the first 10 hours, until the motor is well broken in, then switch to HP4M (with moly).

The transmission also took more than the 0.58 quart that the manual recommended. I am going to run Honda HP trans oil. A motor with a split case should have proper trans oil in it (like you can run in a 2-stroke), rather than the compromise engine oil that gets run in every other 4-stroke. My compliments to Honda for starting a trend that all other manufacturers are not going to be able to ignore!!

 

If you need any help deciding what oil to run let me know. I will see if I can come up with a recommendation seeing how neither one of us are very opinionated in that area. (j/k, lol)

Have a great day.

 

Good job on the early "break-in" oil change. I would do it again in 3-4 more operating hours. The separate tranny and cylinder oil is an excellent idea. I would have too go with with a little dexron 3 for the tranny....even better shifting and superior protection.