Maintenance?  What maintenance?  I have 3600 miles on it, and I've sprayed some Teflon lube on the chain a few times.  Next oil change is due @ 5000 miles.  I guess I could wash it or something.  Maybe when I put it away for the winter.  Huh?  Who's putting their bike away for the winter???  I might ride it less, but it will get ridden.

It was a nice day today, and there was grass to be cut, pool maintenance to be done, so I worked on the bike.  Shame, shame, shame on me.

Last time I was at the dealer I scored a couple free filters, so this oil change gets an OEM Suzuki oil filter instead of the Fram.  I'm also declaring an official end to the "break in period" by switching to Rotella T6 Full Synthetic oil.  It meets all the specs required by Suzuki, and the VX guru himself, GT (aka tworide on the vx800 forum) swears by it.  That's good enough for me.

I'm pretending this was done at 1000 miles to make the maths easier for me.  Next oil change @ 5000, then 10000, etc, etc, unless there is some really abusive riding in there that demands a more frequent interval.  I really don't see that happening.  I really like this little jewel of a bike and want to keep it for a long time.

The chain also got a good hosing down with Dupont Teflon Chain-Saver and an adjustment.  I think I had it too loose before.  It looks a lot better now.  It DRIVES a lot better now.  Gear changes are much smoother, and its as quiet as a shaft drive.  I really had it too loose before.

Back to the oil filter for a moment.  The interwebs are full of opinions, most of them saying "Fram filters suck".  I have photographic proof of the problem with the Fram.

The Suzuki (L) has "1.0" stamped on the bottom.  The Fram (R) has "5Y" stamped on the top.  And there you have it.  Everyone knows 1.0 > 5Y.  Oh, and the Fram is made in Canada.  That says a lot right there.  Haha, just kidding, CanadiAlan!