it does concern oil. Another thread got me to thinking about maintenance schedules.

I know most of you change your oil every 2,500-3,000 miles regardless what oil you use.

HD however has service intervals at 1,000, 5,000, and then every 5,000 miles after that.

When I had my 1,000 mile service performed, I asked the adviser how much it would be to use synthetic. It was only about 15 bucks more and she said I could go 5,000 miles between oil changes.

So do they expect you to change your oil at the halfway marks between service intervals if you run dino???

Also, how many would follow the factory's service interval whether you're running synthetic or not? And why not?? Especially if you're like me where almost all of your miles are on the highway (My oil changes in my truck were every 7,500 miles because of this, and had 134,000 trouble free miles when I got rid of it).

Looking for real answers here. Not just what you've always done because that is what your dad and grandpa did. Mine were the same way.

 

If you are going to maintain a 3000 mile oil change interval synthetic is a waste of money for you

 

It has already been proven time and again that the 3000 mile oil change is hype. It was something drilled into our heads long ago and whether it had merit back then or not doesn't matter today. I run Synthetic in all of my vehicles, and that includes my lawn tractor. I change my oil at 5k in my car and at or before 3k in my bike. I know the oil can go much further without compromising the motors and as said, that is a proven fact time and time again. I live on dirt and ride miles of dirt road every day. Changing my oil at the intervals I do may be a waste of money, but it makes me feel better! I know many that follow their maintenance schedules in their owners manuals to a T, and they get as many trouble free miles from their vehicles as I do.

 

Not necessarily. Synthetic does not break down as easily with the heat. It will offer more protection at higher heat intervals for longer periods. Is changing at 3k a waste of money....Let's just say that there is still an awful lot of life left in a quality 3k synthetic in most all cases.

 

I used to change oil at 2500 miles when I used dino oil. Now, with the Syn3, I go 5,000 every time. No oil related problems to report with the last my Ultras!

 

I'm doing oil changes (all three 'holes') once a year including new spark plugs regardless of mileage, with the exception If I put more than 5k (on the engine oil) then I consider twice a year. I live in Arizona where air cooled engines oils takes a beating. I'm less concerned about wasting oil and the synthetic/dino discussion when a $23k motorcycle is in the equation. If I were discussing a metric or water cooled brand of motorcycle then it might be different. For $40 engine, & $25 trans/primary (current full change cost) it's my prerogative. My routine.

 

Harley was using 5,000 mile oil change intervals long before they came out with synthetic. I really don't see a problem with that even using dino. The current dino oils are way better than what we used to have, and therefore the longer intervals. Of course, if you are doing something unusual, like riding alot on dirt, or very hot weather with stop and go riding, it would be better to change more often. The other thing might be short rides in the winter time.

 

I change my oil to remove the carbon, sulfer and other contaminants that build up in the oil. Same reason I change it before storage rather than in the spring.
I run syn in the engine, Formula+ for trans and primary. I change at 2500 miles. Anyone want to buy my used oil? Lets say Syn for $3/qt and $1/qt Formula+ and I'll throw in the used filter and o-ring for free.
Fresh clean oil doesn't hurt anything.

 

I change my oil, (Amsoil 20/50), and clean my filter at 5K. I clean and inspect my reusable filter at 2500, where I also send a oil sample off to Blackstone Labs for analysis. I also send a sample of the 5K oil off to them as well. I have them do a TBN, which tells you how much of the additive package is left, and without exception, they have said I could even exceed 5K if I so desired, but I'll stick to a 5K oil change.

 

I change my oil per manufacturers recommendation on my motorcyle. I don't feel they could give a recommendation that would be harmful to your engine. We all want what's best for our motors but sometimes maybe it's overkill. It's hard to know what's overkill unless you try otherwise. In my cars I change the oil every 7,000 - 10,000 miles with the cheapest oil Walmart sells and do not ever change the oil filter. To some this will some ignorant but after over 100,000 miles on a few cars they burn very little to no oil. So what would I have gained from changing the oil more often or changing the oil filter?