A mate of mine has a 2004 Heritage and was telling me the service intervals have gone from 4,000ks (up to 2003) to 8,000ks (2004 and over) for the latter models.

I think 8,000ks is to long between oil changes..what do you guys think??

 

To me, oil and filters are cheap and 2500 miles is the right interval. Doing the math, that's 4000K right? I've been told that, especially with synthetics, you can run longer between oil changes but why take the chance. A $20,000 bike, a $25 oil change?

 

There are as many opinions on this one as there are riders. IMHO, it depends on youre environment, the type of oil, and your riding habits. If you are runnig a petroleum based oil, running the bike hard, or living in a dusty enviroment (desert), than you might want to change a little more often. Technology has given us better oils, and the service intervals are starting to reflect that. BMW cars don't call for a change but every 15K miles...I know we're talking Harley's here, don't flame me.

If you're running a good synthetic, and you're not ******* the motor, I think you'll be fine with the recommended intervals, however, there is no damage from doing them more often. And if you're doing the work yourself, it is an inexpensive preventative maintenance step.

Mac

 

Mac & oldgeezer nailed it...
consider all the variables and ask yourself if it's really worth the extra milesl.

 

FXST,

I change oil and filter every 2500 miles. These are air cooled engines, that are mostly used when the weather is warm. Heat is hell on oil, so it is better to be safe than sorry.

I change the other fluids every 5,000 miles, so my system is, every other oil change, everything gets changed.

I am extremely **** about this, and never vary more than a couple hundred miles.

Regards,

Bill

 

Brother, oil is cheap insurance,I change all of my lubricants on schedule (sometimes more if I have been riding in adverse conditions such as high heat,dust etc.)

 

Good sensible comments there guys.....I think excactly along the same lines.