I've only changed the oil on sportsters and it took minutes and no real effort. Is it really that hard on the bigger bikes that it becomes some big pre-planned production, or what?

 

If you change it before you will know, WOW i ahave 5,000 miles before it needs it agian. If you wait until after the trip, and think like me, that will be all you think about watching the odometer spin numbers by instead of looking around at the sights to see. Its all in your head man!

 

Every month or two is 5000 miles. I change oil alot.

 

Change it before you leave on your trip. And take the opportunity to do a once over at the same time (checking tires, cables, loose bolts, battery, etc..) to help minimize the opportunity of any other kind of breakdown during the trip.

My $0.02.

 

I would tend to change the oil before I leave on the trip. However, 1600 miles isn't that far and if you are only half way through that trip when you hit the 5000 mile mark, I wouldn't sweat it - it's only another 800 miles or so. It isn't like oil and filters have a little timer on them and instantly go bad as soon as you hit a certain mark. Lots of people have been testing their oil at various lifespans and most, if not all, have found little deteioration in synthetic oils quite a ways past the 5000 mile mark.

 

I think the post that made the most sense was the one to change the oil before leaving and take the time to check bike over real good while you are at it.

 

Complete change before you leave.....the only answer.


bomtek44

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I got a good chuckle outta a couple of the responses, especially the one about obsessive compulsive oil disorder. That did make me laugh out loud, since I probably fit the mold. I personally think it's a waste to change synthetic oil at 3000 miles (just my honest opinion) so I pretty much wanted to know how many guys have changed out just the filter and how much oil I'll need to carry to top her off. I've done a couple UOA's (used oil analysis) on this Amsoil and both tests I've done said the oil was more than good to go at least another 5k (given the same riding conditions as the first 5k).

However, after carefully examining my obsessive compulsive oil disorder (OCOD), I'll probably just change it out before I leave :-)

 

Last year I started out on a major trip with 1,400 on the clock. I came back with just a little under 10K. I did the 10K when I got home. A motor running long trips does not foul the oil as much as frequent short runs. I was not concerned about the 5K at all.

The filter will do the 10K with no problem. But not the 1K.

 

I usually do a 4K or 5K trip every year, i change oil every time before the trip, the trans and primary I do if the interval is right. I usually do the oil at 2.5K to 3K and the trans and primary at 5K. If the interval is not right with the trans and primary I will let them ride till I get done with the trip. I have 64K on the bike now, and have never had a problem on the rode with the bike.So, there are no worries with the bike with me.......everything's been good with the bike so far.....