How often do you change your oil

[noggythenog]

Hey Lew this is my mantra about winter storage.


I stick my bike in the shed at start of winter & i dont start it once until summer.....after an oil chamge.


As you sort of say my reasoning is that all the moisture & crap last years oil will not do the engine any good being chucked around the engine for 30 seconds at high revs once a week.


I just let it sit and accumulate...flush it out end of winter, replace with nice and fresh stuff and woola bobs my uncle fannys my aunt.


If it worked last year for me then maybe a fluke...if it works this year that's a trend.

[Andy FZS]

Every other year for me which is less than 2k

Ok fazersharp you've reminded me my oil change is due this year as it was last done in 2012 about 2000 miles ago I didn't bother last year as I'd only done about 700 miles since the previous year. I really need to get out more, but as I only ride for pleasure I choose my days. Roll on summer.

[fazersharp]

[quote author=fazersharp link=topic=11455.msg123111#msg123111 date=1390671365]
Every other year for me which is less than 2k

Ok fazersharp you've reminded me my oil change is due this year as it was last done in 2012 about 2000 miles ago I didn't bother last year as I'd only done about 700 miles since the previous year. I really need to get out more, but as I only ride for pleasure I choose my days. Roll on summer.
[/quote]
At last somone who is just like me, I dont mind it cold but it has to be dry. If you look at my mot now they include the last 6 years or so milage, its like looking at the history of the years weather.
And as noggy says early oil change is only any good if you have had the bike since new - I brought  my 98 in 2001 with 4k on the clock.

Right what about time then, with my car am I not told every 12 months or 10k miles whichever comes sooner - so what about the time factor in my bike

[paul1606]

mr yamaha spends millions on research & development i think they've taken into account various scenarios laying up  for the winter etc, and give recommendations for each model in various country climates . Im happy to go with that, or do we know some thing he does'nt ??? Anyway lets have a discussion on tyres 

[fazersharp]

various scenarios laying up  for the winter etc

I very much doubt that.
And why would they recomend somthing that WOULD keep your bike going for on for ever, wheres the sense in that.
Yes the boffins have spent thousands on researching that every 6k change would see you buying a new bike off them in 10 years

[paul1606]

would be interested in how many people prefer to buy a bike with a FSH or one without

[andybesy]

I'd like a service history, but it doesn't have to be dealer serviced, I'd be equally happy with the owner's own service log. I do the basics myself, and keep a log of everything that's been done, including a note of anything I get done at the dealers. Helps me keep track, lets a new owner know where they stand.

[shady]

In my opinion the frequency of oil changes depends on how long you want the engine to last and the use of your bike, by that l mean do you go long rides where the oil gets hot and burns off moisture in the oil (white sludge in the oil window?) and you use the gearbox less or like me do you use the bike all year round in freezing conditions heavy commuting, up and down the gearbox, 11miles each way to and from work where the oil never really gets hot?  :\ the bike is also used for touring and ride outs, l do around 8-10k miles per year. So on the this basis l change the oil every 3k and the filter every other oil change, all seems well with my Hornet 600 engine so far, it runs great, no oil useage between changes and l ve clocked up 80k miles now. Then theres the subject of what oil should be used  :lol

[midden]

Contrary to what Stevierst says, I think regular oil change is good for the wear of metal parts. As oil gets used, it collects deposits of carbon and metal shards. An excess of these in the oil will increase wear on the metal parts. That is not to say that Yamaha are wrong. 6000 miles is the recomended milage. Fair enough. But I would rather change my oil before that point than after. And every year if I did less milage as the oil degrades. But, its your bike and you can treat it any way you like. Shit, don't ever change it for all I care 

Off bike,  my cage is a skoda and it gives me a choice of 1yr or 2yr oil. surely metal shards can't discriminate between the two. 
I actually heard once that changing oil too frequently could do harm as well.  But that aside I'm inclined to follow the recommendations from the experts of both vehicle and oil producers allowing as with all sell/use by dates a safe extended period. After all they have more than one motorcycle to lose if they take the limits to close to the edge and also by giving a reduced life span they sell more product. So why give them more sales by further reducing it. Clearly if using standard road use spec oil and then thrashing the bollox out of the bike I would adjust to hopefully compensate. But then if I was that concerned I would read the label and buy for purpose.  [size=78%] [/size]

[midden]

I can see the bigger picture here.


I can see the logic in regular changes.


But it only comes into play if you keep the same bike from birth il death.


Buy a 10 year old bike that has already been abused then it wont make much difference.


treating a bike to death only to sell it 2 years later to someone who abuses it rotten is pointless.


Most folk have longevity in mind.


Most folk end up selling the bike after a few years so why did they bother their arse with it so much.


Personally i change the oil once a year regardless of mileage but I'm only a summer rider.


Once a year....& thrash it all year 8)

Nice spacing that man

[Drax]

Hey Lew this is my mantra about winter storage.


I stick my bike in the shed at start of winter & i dont start it once until summer.....after an oil chamge.


As you sort of say my reasoning is that all the moisture & crap last years oil will not do the engine any good being chucked around the engine for 30 seconds at high revs once a week.


I just let it sit and accumulate...flush it out end of winter, replace with nice and fresh stuff and woola bobs my uncle fannys my aunt.


If it worked last year for me then maybe a fluke...if it works this year that's a trend.

The alternative to this is:

Do an oil change BEFORE you store it: Less chance of it emulsifying  (i.e separating) - Better when you start up the engine after it's winter lay off!

Brake Fluid: Replace every 2 years as its hygroscopic i.e. absorbs moisture & deteriorates - Therefore stops you stopping! (NEVER a good thing!)

[esetest]

When I buy a bike or car I prefer to get one with as much service history as possible , I bought mine 3years ago with 18300 miles , its an 02 and was owned by the previous owner for 7 years , it was advertised at £2750 I haggled him down to £ 2500.
It had the following mods hagon shock , mra vario screen , rear hugger, goodridge  braided brake lines, heated grips , crash bungs , dual horn installation .
It had a main  dealer stamp  for the first service , an independent garage had carried out the 2nd  service at 11800 miles , talking to the seller it was very  apparent that he was very anal about maintaining the bike  , so I made a judgement call  , if I had a bad vibe about  a seller even with fsh I would walk away .
The bike now has 30800 miles , I have carried out the following myself  oil &  filter every year , exup valve stripped cleaned regreased , the spark plugs twice , air filter once its due a replacement , replaced coolant twice 2nd time because I took the radiator off to paint the front of the engine , checked cleaned adjusted and relubed the chain  when it needs doing , JHS racing have carried out the following  a major service at 26000 miles inc valve check  , 2 rear tyres , 1 front tyre , rear brake pads , front brake pads , rear tyre valve . I intend to keep this bike so probably go overboard on it .