Oil change distance dilemma

I do mine in the spring to get ready for the riding season and again in late autumn/early winter before I put 'er under the covers.

 

If in doubt - change at 4000 it won't do any harm.

 

The oil change frequency really depends on:

1. Your competence to do it;

2. Your desire to keep your bike running perfick;

3. Your pockets;

4. Your mileage per annum.

Allow me to explain. The manufacturer has to put something in the service schedule but really it's only ever a guide, for the average motorcycle rider. Forget warranty requirement for a second here.

Motor oil deteriorates with use and over time. So 6 months or 1 year might seem reasonable but what if all your riding is city-base stop/start stuff? What if you ride a Scrambler and the majority of use is in a dusty, off-road environment? What if you only do 1500mls a year? What if you ride all year around - you might want a slighter lower viscosity through winter?

Engines run best on good quality clean oil. Change it regularly, keep the level correct and your engine will thank you.

 

Nice explanation there biggy, but I have a question.... What if......?

 

Change your oil again you daft sod, sorry clump of sodden grassy earth .

 

My 1977 has over 40K miles on it and I have changed the oil every 500 miles. Takes 10 minutes on the old bikes. Excessive, well it's still running. Changing the oil is like a daily dump.... Get the poison out of your system.... We are talking about crank case oil, right?

 

As above, I think frequent oil changes are the best preventative maintenance anyone can carry out on their bike; always buy best quality oil to provide higher levels of engine protection and fit a sump plug with a magnetic insert to capture any bits of swarf floating about in the engine. I used to change mine every 1000 or less on the T140 and TR5 and in any event tend to change more frequently than it says in the handbook, especially if I think the oil is starting to look flat and knackered, even though it might be nowhere near the manufaturer's mileage recommendation. Also depends on how hard you ride, what oil is used, ambient temperature, conditions etc. Spending a few quid extra up front on more frequent changes will pay off in the long run with lower levels of component wear and reduced risk of engine failure.

 

Chatting with my friend Clive Wood (triumph guru) the other day he said this. Best is to change your oil yearly and best done in the autumn so when the bike is sat for most of the winter it has fresh oil in it, and not all the contaminates in the oil. Also the reason that the distances to change have increased because efi bikes tend to fuel leaner and so have less fuel pass the rings diluting the oil in the sump. but the manual still manual still states yearly or 6k miles, which ever comes 1st so for most the recommended change is yearly.
As a Rolls Royce (engines) apprentice we were always told "Oil is cheaper and easier to change than bearings".

 

Don't think there will be much condensation unless you keep starting the bike. perhaps better a little condensation than acids and contaminates. maybe a good point to change it 6 monthly then if you prefer.