The manual says every 5,000 miles for an oil change. Or....should we just do it once per years as it is very reasonable in cost if you do it yourself.

Thx
HOGan

 

You should try to ride more than 5,000 miles a year and then it wouldn't be an issue

Seriously though, this is a good question because my son puts about 3,000 miles a year on his bike and I usually change the oil in the Spring and Fall on mine (I put more miles) and am wondering also if I should worry about his.

 

You should change it at least annually regardless of mileage. Oil has a shelf life and starts to degrade as well as not wanting contaminates just sitting in there. I personally would say do it every six months, spring and fall are a good schedule.

 

At a minimum you should change out the oil if/before you put the bike away for winter. Don't want the used oil sitting there with all the contaminates in it. The other posters suggestions are solid-can't go wrong with spring/fall changes.

 

If your bike sits in the winter change the oil before you store it. Used oil sitting in your engine is bad for gaskets and engine internals because of possible acidity and high alkaline. If you ride less than 5000 miles just change it after your last ride before storage.

 

I change mine every 5K, but in the summer I change it sooner when it seems to get dirty sooner probably from the heat and some oil breakdown.

 

No, the manual says "perform annually or at specified intervals, whichever comes first"

 

Works fine for my Sportster.
Will do the same for my FXDL.

 

I change oil after the first ride in the spring, in the fall when it goes into storage and every 4000 kms (2500 miles). Oil is cheap.

 

I do mine every spring. During winter, you will get the ups and downs of the cold and condensation from sitting...

I will start it up, run it until warm (usually that first initial short ride) than do the oil change...as far as mileage, I use Amsoil products and our riding season is short, so for me, 6500-7500 a year is a good year