I've read some conflicting advice about the first oil change. It's varied from after the first 20miles to 200miles. Owners manual says 600. This is for a 2012 CBR1000RR. Anyone care to weigh in?

I would definitely change it on the 600 mile mark or sooner if you wish. Most manuals state a mileage or so-many-months (which ever comes first) - i always hit the mileage point first so depending on how you ride I would suggest changing the oil after 600 miles, then anywhere from 600-1000 miles thereafter. If money isnt too much of a worry then changing the oil as frequently as possible is obviously the way to go

A _new_ engine needs an oil change early on but your engine has already been run in at the factory before the bike was shipped, on the dyno, at the limiter.
I would do a change in the first 1000kms though.

Just out of interest why would you change the oil every 600 to 1000 after the 1st oil change when Honda recommend every 8000 miles ? To me that's just a waste of money and i'd be changing every few weeks! I know plenty of riders who have upto 120,000 miles on their bikes and only change the oil as the manufactures recommend.

Cheers
Simon

I understand and it is each to their own obviously. I just like to change the oil regularly in both my bikes. On my blade the clutch clanks a bit from 800miles or so, so I change the oil and filter around the 1k mile mark which sorts her out. I have always been a firm believer of frequent oil and filter changes for optimum performance.

Because Honda are in the business of selling new motorcycles, and parts for motorcycles they've already sold. Engines are happiest with fresh clean oil. Ever seen what oil looks like after 8000 miles of riding? I know taxi drivers who do oil changes at least once a week in their cars - they do that many miles.

I agree that 1000 miles is probably too often, I don't like to go more than 3000kms though on my oil in bikes, and double that for my cars.
The oil itself is your best guide on how often you need to replace it.
You can change the oil at 1000 miles but put it into your car for another few thousand, the car engine doesn't work the oil anywhere near as hard as the bike does - unless it's turbo-charged.