Extended oil changes
#31
04-20-2018, 07:51 PM
Interesting conversation. I have my oil changed every 5000 miles when I have the dealer do the 5000 checkup.
This year may be the first time I do something different. Last maintenance check was 33250 and when I had the new tires installed, I also got just an oil change. I did so because I have a few trips planned before the additional 2000 miles - and, the bike was sitting all winter.
Before the longer trips - and Sturgis, I hope to hit the 35,000 mile mark -and get everything done (5000 checkup). My thoughts - I would rather do something now - so, I can ride all summer.
Some of you guys crack me up - so, let me get you started again. The first check was 1000 miles - so, if you want to continue the 5000 mile rotation, then, your next should be 6000, then 11000, 16000 - did you lose the first 1000 miles?
This year may be the first time I do something different. Last maintenance check was 33250 and when I had the new tires installed, I also got just an oil change. I did so because I have a few trips planned before the additional 2000 miles - and, the bike was sitting all winter.
Before the longer trips - and Sturgis, I hope to hit the 35,000 mile mark -and get everything done (5000 checkup). My thoughts - I would rather do something now - so, I can ride all summer.
Some of you guys crack me up - so, let me get you started again. The first check was 1000 miles - so, if you want to continue the 5000 mile rotation, then, your next should be 6000, then 11000, 16000 - did you lose the first 1000 miles?
#32
04-20-2018, 09:58 PM
Road Warrior
#33
04-20-2018, 11:41 PM
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. A company can't deny your warranty claim unless they can prove that what you did caused the failure. I'm not saying extended oil change intervals in an air cooled engine is a good idea but they can't deny your claim just because you extended your oil change interval.
#34
04-20-2018, 11:54 PM
The answer to the OPs question is NO. This is not an automobile engine in a tightly controlled environment. You have nowhere near the oil capacity of an automobile. The little oil in the system goes through a lot more stress under sustained higher temperatures than an automobile. The oil gets a lot dirtier a lot faster. Amsoil or whatever super juju is not going to save you. Buy quality oil and change it every 5k.
#35
04-21-2018, 01:29 AM
Elite HDF Member
Dark oil has little bearing on the actual condition of the oil. A UOA will tell you what's really going on. That being said, I wouldn't go 10K. I'd maybe push 7-8K with top tier oil if on a trip and I couldn't reasonably get it changed. It's never happened tho.
#36
04-21-2018, 01:33 AM
Elite HDF Member
I agree with Jamesroadking. We buy a 20000 to 40000 thousand dollar toy and then worry about saving money on an oil change. Come on guys! Change your oil and buy good oil. I wouldn't run my car over 3500 let alone my Harley. Every Harley I've owned the top end starts getting noisy at about 3500 miles.
I like maintaining things and enjoy oil changing actually, but 3500 is pretty much a complete waste. But, if it makes you happy, I will always say, oil changes are cheap, new engines are not.
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jammerx (04-21-2018)
#37
04-21-2018, 07:42 AM
I have a 2000 Toyota Avalon hat has just under 300k on the clock. It's had 15 oil changes. Granted, it's had premium oil and filters and is almost all highway mileage, but I've had UOA's done at 20K several times and it always comes back with life left in the oil.
I like maintaining things and enjoy oil changing actually, but 3500 is pretty much a complete waste. But, if it makes you happy, I will always say, oil changes are cheap, new engines are not.
I like maintaining things and enjoy oil changing actually, but 3500 is pretty much a complete waste. But, if it makes you happy, I will always say, oil changes are cheap, new engines are not.
#38
04-21-2018, 08:29 AM
Road Warrior
Why would anyone want to extend an oil change?
Never understood that way of thinking.
That goes for ANY vehicle. People buy a vehicle and make up their own maintenance schedule, so they can do less maintenance?
Todays vehicles maintenance is easy enough, now we want to skip changing fluids?.
Never understood that way of thinking.
That goes for ANY vehicle. People buy a vehicle and make up their own maintenance schedule, so they can do less maintenance?
Todays vehicles maintenance is easy enough, now we want to skip changing fluids?.
Last edited by alarmdoug; 04-21-2018 at 08:31 AM.
#39
04-21-2018, 09:26 AM
I have a 2000 Toyota Avalon hat has just under 300k on the clock. It's had 15 oil changes. Granted, it's had premium oil and filters and is almost all highway mileage, but I've had UOA's done at 20K several times and it always comes back with life left in the oil.
I like maintaining things and enjoy oil changing actually, but 3500 is pretty much a complete waste. But, if it makes you happy, I will always say, oil changes are cheap, new engines are not.
I like maintaining things and enjoy oil changing actually, but 3500 is pretty much a complete waste. But, if it makes you happy, I will always say, oil changes are cheap, new engines are not.
#40
04-21-2018, 10:09 AM
I don't get it either.....oil is "cheap" in the big picture of owning an expensive motorcycle. It's not that oil "wears out" or fails to lubricate and cool ...it's all the "crud" that oil is also designed to collect and help keep away from the moving parts and thus reduce friction. As you all know, engine oil can contain various metals, water, fuel and other contaminants......changing the oil helps to flush out some of that collected "crud", so why let it float around in your engine any longer than recommended?........In fact, the opposite could be wiser and justifiable...change the engine oil MORE frequently than 5,000 miles.