I generally change the oil in my bikes about every 5,000 miles and use Syn3. Last summer I ended up car pooling with my son quite a bit and so did not put too many miles on the bikes. So now I'm wondering if I should change the oil based on time rather than mileage. I know oils can also breakdown over time due to moisture intrusion, etc

Hey Tim,

I'm no expert, but I'll share my view on the subject with you. I change the oil in my Dyna, which is my daily rider, every 3000 miles. I know the manual says every 5K, but some habits are hard to break. In those lucky times in my life when I have had a second bike that did not get much mileage, I changed the oil once in the spring and once in the fall.

If you ride less than 5k a year, then change the oil annually. Over 5k a year then do it every 4k-5k miles.

I ride 8k-10k miles a year, & I change it every 4k-5k miles using synthetic.
The OL's Softail and my kid's Sportster only see about 3k-5k a year, so they get the oil changed annually.

I always start off every spring with fresh oil, then every 3k.

ORIGINAL: Lost1

If you ride less than 5k a year, then change the oil annually. Over 5k a year then do it every 4k-5k miles.

I ride 8k-10k miles a year, & I change it every 4k-5k miles using synthetic.
The OL's Softail and my kid's Sportster only see about 3k-5k a year, so they get the oil changed annually.


with the current gas prices most will put more than that on thier bikes i would think.

ORIGINAL: jerseyjeff62

ORIGINAL: Lost1

If you ride less than 5k a year, then change the oil annually. Over 5k a year then do it every 4k-5k miles.

I ride 8k-10k miles a year, & I change it every 4k-5k miles using synthetic.
The OL's Softail and my kid's Sportster only see about 3k-5k a year, so they get the oil changed annually.


with the current gas prices most will put more than that on thier bikes i would think.


I agree 100%. My OL & kid will definitely be putting more than 3k on theirs this year... [:-]

ORIGINAL: Lost1

If you ride less than 5k a year, then change the oil annually. Over 5k a year then do it every 4k-5k miles.



+1 change the engine oil at least annually due to moisture & combustion corrosive by products. If you are running synthetic 75w90 or higher gear oil in the trans then 15-20,000 miles or every 2 years. Primary 5000 or annually

when I was using dino oil in my 92 FLTC I changed about every 2,500 to 2,800. I changed to Amsoil but will still change it by 3,000 miles I'm pushing 38,000 miles still running strong. Oil it's the life blood ofmy bike and I'll keep it changed all three holes at the same time. Might be over kill but if it breaks it will not be because of dirty oil if I can help it.:)

Anything from 4000 to 6000 miles depending on when I am able to get it done, if I'm on a trip I dont loose any sleep if it has to go 6000.

Using a synthetic you can go 5k or more unless you ride on dusty roads or make numerous short trips where the oil never thoroughly warms up, both of which are hard on oil. If you don't make 5k in a year I would make one-year my interval.

I am currently useing the syn3 oil, fixing to switch to the amsoil, but I change the engine oil every 2500 miles and all the other oils at 5000 mile intervils, and will continue to do so, reguardless of anyones recommendations, it might cost a little more but the pros out weight the cons.

local://upfiles/47348/E6EA8599CF9B49E9B930AE8C72CCD746.jpg

what would be the point of doing that?.,,

If your gonna change every 3k, why waste $$ on syn oil ????!!!!

ORIGINAL: PosseRider

If your gonna change every 3k, why waste $$ on syn oil ????!!!!


Synruns cooler and it definitley wouldn't hurt to change it at 3k as opposed to 5k. Personally I change my oil every 4k-5k miles and I run Amsoil. Like the saying goes "to each his own".

for what syn oil costs, that would be lot of $$$$ down the drain. I guess some folks don't want to get their moneys worth.,,,

I've always changed oil and filter at 2,500 to 3,000 miles and will continue to do do, even thought I run good synthetic fluids.

Some might consider it 'overkill', but I don't care.

Oil isn't that expensive (Mobil 1 15W-50 works just as well as any other synthetic out there, and can be purchased for $4.00 a quart), and it just give me a nice 'warm fuzzy feeling' having fresh oil in a bike. ;)

But the frequency of oil changes is up to the individual, so do whatever you want.

http://dogsdoom.com/PI/fatboy-fav-10.jpg

change it every 3k or whenever the woman is bugging you.

best thing is to make sure you document it because if you ride a lot it'll sneak up on you.

ride safe, please

Just remember, the filter is typlcally a 10 micron media. Junk is stopped, so, only breakdown should be the consideration. Water is typically chased out after it warms up.

Watch the heat and oil pressure at idle.

JC

ORIGINAL: OldFenderGuy

I've always changed oil and filter at 2,500 to 3,000 miles and will continue to do do, even thought I run good synthetic fluids.

Some might consider it 'overkill', but I don't care.

Oil isn't that expensive (Mobil 1 15W-50 works just as well as any other synthetic out there, and can be purchased for $4.00 a quart), and it just give me a nice 'warm fuzzy feeling' having fresh oil in a bike. ;)

But the frequency of oil changes is up to the individual, so do whatever you want.

http://dogsdoom.com/PI/fatboy-fav-10.jpg



Amen

I change my oil at 5k
Primary at 10k
Transmission at 20k

And I run Amsoil 20/50 in all of them with Amsoil filter and a Jegg Oil cooler. I've got almost 30k on my '07 FXD, so I ride a bit.

I think changing the oil every 5k, when you're running synthetic, is plenty frequent enough. The synthetic oil doesn't break down for many more miles than that. Sometimes I think I'll leave my oil in for 10k, then the ticking valves talk me out of it...

ORIGINAL: TimC

I generally change the oil in my bikes about every 5,000 miles and use Syn3. Last summer I ended up car pooling with my son quite a bit and so did not put too many miles on the bikes. So now I'm wondering if I should change the oil based on time rather than mileage. I know oils can also breakdown over time due to moisture intrusion, etc


Your engine oil serves to flush by-products of combustion out of the motor. Some of these compoundsare corrosive. Before you put the bike away for the winter, I'd do an oil change. Make sure to put 10-15 miles on the bike after you make this last oil change. My 2 cents..