Long Trip Oil Changes

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Feb 7, 2018 | 05:03 PM

#11

lh4x4

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 13,402

Likes: 941

From: Illinois

I did a 1K service before taking the bike on a 9K ride to the Arctic Circle. Did the 10K when I got home 14 days later.

When an engine is run many miles everyday straight through on a trip. There is much less contaminant of the oil than riding on a weekend then sitting a week before riding again.

Feb 7, 2018 | 05:07 PM

#12

SamStone

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 3,030

Likes: 177

From: Tipp City, Ohio

Plenty of places in Sturgis who will change your oil. I usually put 1000 miles on my bike while there.

Last edited by SamStone; Feb 7, 2018 at 05:10 PM.

Feb 7, 2018 | 05:12 PM

#13

jeffro09

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 2,907

Likes: 3,511

From: At home.

Pre-ride service, then hit the road with no worries. If you're lucky enough to hit oh lets says 6000 miles before you get home, stop and get the oil changed. I've gone 6,000 miles between services before, without replacing the motor.

Feb 7, 2018 | 05:47 PM

#14

SSpeeDEMONSS

Tourer

Joined: Nov 2017

Posts: 433

Likes: 51

From: Long Beach/Avalon, SoCal

I'm pretty sure I read on here somewhere that someone did 6500 during a Sturgis trip on no oil change with no issues. It's going to be 2500 round trip without any detours for me. I'm figuring for my 9 days to do 5-6000, no oil changed planned.

Garrett

Feb 7, 2018 | 06:31 PM

#15

Keithhu

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 17,138

Likes: 6,163

From: SE Michigan

Oil changes are fast and cheap in Sturgis. Drop it off somewhere, enjoy yourself and pick it up later. Easy.

Feb 7, 2018 | 06:36 PM

#16

TheGrandPoohBah

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 14,731

Likes: 2,535

From: Mountain Top, Alabama

Change it when you get back.
Enjoy the ride.
5K works fine for me.

Feb 7, 2018 | 06:50 PM

#17

fabricater

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 138

Likes: 18

From: SE Ohio

Most synthetic oil makers recommend much longer oil change intervals than the bike manufactures do. They make the oil and have done the test on the oil,not the bike manufactures. I rode my Honda trike from Ohio to the west coast, down the west coast and back to Ohio. 7852 miles, no oil change and no problems. My cars and truck go 10,000 miles between oil changes every time. My truck is a 2000 model and car is 2004. No oil related problems at all. My trike and HD bike both get oil changed 1 time a year before riding season. Most of my riding miles are less than 10,000 in a year, normally around 6000, so no real need to change the oil more than that.

Feb 7, 2018 | 07:03 PM

#18

ngshop

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 909

Likes: 303

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnl_1200C

Heading to Sturgis this year from Central MA, 4k miles round trip. Is it necessary to change oil once I get to Sturgis, or can it wait until I return home ?
I usually change oil every 3k, so what the potential problems if I let it go to 4k, almost all highway roads.

Will not hurt a thing. I use SYN 3 and change all three holes every 2,500 miles. I did a complete service and road tested around town for 200 miles. Road coast to coast and back (22 days) 8,350 miles. Mentally was tough, however will not harm the bike. HD suggest oil changes at 5k motor, 10k primary and 20k tranny, if Syn 3 used. ride and enjoy.