Oil Archive (no new posts) An archive of oil related questions and comments.

How Many Miles Between Oil Changes?

 
Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 01-14-2010, 11:31 AM
Electra Mule's Avatar
Electra Mule
Electra Mule is offline
Cruiser
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SouthEast and NorthWest USA
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default How Many Miles Between Oil Changes?

Hey Guys,

Curious What others Do....How Many Miles do you God before Oil Changes?
My '92 Rigid Frame Sporty (originally a 883 converted to 1200) had to have oil added every couple hundred miles at the end of our run together, completely changed it every estimated 5000 miles, (NO Odometer on Bike) .... Sold it with 72,000 miles. I was a NYC Club RIDER...The Bike was parked outside a bar more than on Runs... NOW, in Florida and I'm putting some Heavy Miles on my new Bike.
I have '06 Electra Glide I bought new, and do HD recommended Service at the Milage recommended... But, was told by some it should be every 3000 miles...others say 5000 miles, and one old timer said I should do the oil every 2000 miles in Florida heat. He said Harley Motor Company would Love for your bike to last only 70,000 miles because they want you to buy another. That changing oil every 2000-2500 miles the engine can go 150,000 miles.
What's the take from some of you guys with more info than me... Thank You.

God Bless The Open Road. "Country Fried"
 
  #2  
Old 01-14-2010, 11:34 AM
OhioSkully's Avatar
OhioSkully
OhioSkully is offline
Club Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Port Charlotte, Florida
Posts: 4,474
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Oil is cheaper than an engine thats my thought. Even though HD recommends every 5000 i still run amsoil and still change mine between 3500 and 4000 only because iam running amsoil. If i was running dino oil i would do it every 3000 miles. That being said i have been known to do it sooner if needed. Like alot of guys if they have been in a parade or extended traffice where the bike has gotten really hot they will drop it sooner.
 
  #3  
Old 01-14-2010, 01:58 PM
qtrracer's Avatar
qtrracer
qtrracer is offline
Ultimate HDF Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 6,532
Received 131 Likes on 104 Posts
Default

Also lack of use will be just as harmful to the oil so no matter what miles you have ridden a springtime oil change is a good idea if the bike has not been ridden over the winter.
 
  #4  
Old 01-14-2010, 05:59 PM
stevelonewolf's Avatar
stevelonewolf
stevelonewolf is offline
Road Captain
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: DeLand, Florida
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I run Amsoil 20/50 and change it every 5k
 
  #5  
Old 01-14-2010, 06:11 PM
nocarb's Avatar
nocarb
nocarb is offline
Road Master
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 858
Received 22 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Electra Mule
Hey Guys,

Curious What others Do....How Many Miles do you God before Oil Changes?
My '92 Rigid Frame Sporty (originally a 883 converted to 1200) had to have oil added every couple hundred miles at the end of our run together, completely changed it every estimated 5000 miles, (NO Odometer on Bike) .... Sold it with 72,000 miles. I was a NYC Club RIDER...The Bike was parked outside a bar more than on Runs... NOW, in Florida and I'm putting some Heavy Miles on my new Bike.
I have '06 Electra Glide I bought new, and do HD recommended Service at the Milage recommended... But, was told by some it should be every 3000 miles...others say 5000 miles, and one old timer said I should do the oil every 2000 miles in Florida heat. He said Harley Motor Company would Love for your bike to last only 70,000 miles because they want you to buy another. That changing oil every 2000-2500 miles the engine can go 150,000 miles.
What's the take from some of you guys with more info than me... Thank You.

God Bless The Open Road. "Country Fried"
I run 5,000 mile OCI's during warranty. If you truly want to know how well the oil is holding up get a UOA completed.
 
  #6  
Old 01-14-2010, 06:21 PM
vheflin's Avatar
vheflin
vheflin is offline
Road Captain
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Every 5K here using Mobil1.
 
  #7  
Old 01-14-2010, 06:28 PM
stevelonewolf's Avatar
stevelonewolf
stevelonewolf is offline
Road Captain
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: DeLand, Florida
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by vheflin
Every 5K here using Mobil1.
When i do my next oil change i'll be trying Mobile1.
 
  #8  
Old 01-14-2010, 06:41 PM
nvsteve's Avatar
nvsteve
nvsteve is offline
Ultimate HDF Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Nevada
Posts: 5,977
Received 74 Likes on 51 Posts
Default

Use a good synthetic and easily go 5k between changes. But I usually go a little less.
 
  #9  
Old 01-14-2010, 11:25 PM
NoCoLoco's Avatar
NoCoLoco
NoCoLoco is offline
Road Warrior
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Northern Colorado
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

5k oil is too dirty for me. I change every 3k.
 
  #10  
Old 01-15-2010, 11:07 AM
big cahuna's Avatar
big cahuna
big cahuna is offline
Grand HDF Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
Posts: 4,876
Received 241 Likes on 161 Posts
Default

If you run the correct weight oil 20/50 or even 20/60 synthetic oils, you should be able to go 5k between changes. The manual says you can go 5 k on Harley's crappy oil, but I wouldn't. How you ride determines change times also. alot of short rides where the motor doesn't get up to the correct temp, can cause condensation and possibly rust to start forming in the motor. Then 3k changes would be the way to go. Good synthetic oils are pricey and I won't waste perfectly good oil every 3k miles , for what it costs that is foolish.,,
 


Quick Reply: How Many Miles Between Oil Changes?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:17 PM.