Oil Change Interval

I just follow the service manual. Change at 600, 6k, and then every 6k. Every 3k seems excessive and with motul it sounds expensive.

Just follow the manual. First change at 600 miles (incl filter), then every 4,000 miles with full synthetic oil  (Euro spec is 6,000 miles!)  Too much oil hysteria lately. Yamaha engineers know more than us "experts" posting on line.  

I replace the filter each time even though Yamaha says you can do it every other time.

Have put over 150,000 miles on bikes over the years following the manual and have never had any engine issues related to oil.  Keep it simple.

I don't care what the manual says, but it's idiotic to not change the oil filter after an oil change. But to each his own. Oil change interval is dependent on how you use the bike. I typically do it once a year, and at either 5 or 6K miles, but I do mostly highway. With lots of short trips, I'd do it at 5K, like I do on my vehicles used that way. I'd wait until 600 initially; no need to do it earlier, but again, to each his own .

For me, first service at 600 miles, 2nd service will be at 6000 or after 1 year and after that it will be as per the manual with an oil and filter change AT LEAST once a year, even if I have not covered 6000 miles since the last time.

Oil deteriorates with age, not just milage, so its best to do it every xxx miles OR xxx timeframe, whatever comes first.

All dino oil- 50, 300, 600, (track day)1000

Synthetic every ~2500 after.

^^^ Right on. No matter what kind of vehicle site you visit there are always oil threads about changing inverval, best type/brand/weight of oil and other esoteric 'facts' on the best method to lubricate your engines internals. I think it is in guys DNA; women like shoes, guys like to talk motor oil. Some of it is amusing, some is just a wasteful use of oil and $$, and once in awhile you'll see ideas and methods which might be harmful to your engine. Oil technology has advanced dramatically over the last 20 years or so with semi-synthetic and full synthetic oils giving greater protection and greatly increased periods between needed oil changes. Some cars don't have a dipstick to even check the level, they will monitor the situation and tell you when it is time to change it, often well after 10,000 miles. The old 3,000 mile rule was a marketing tool used by the oil industry to sell more oil in quickie lube joints that they often owned (particularly Pennzoil). It was pretty much nonsense back in the 80's but totally nuts today, but you'll still see signs in some of these places on the door when you leave saying 'See you in 3,000 miles'. These full synthetic oils are often in the $20/qt range meaning it is an $80-$100 outlay with the filter, not an insignificant cost. Follow the recommendations by the manufacturer with the correct type, weight and JASO MA oil and you'll be fine. And at the lowest possible hit to your wallet.