Results 1 to 20 of 20
  1. #1
    Active Member Jheck's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    sherburne, ny
    Posts
    186
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default Oil change Question

    Last September before we left for the winter for Arizona, I had my 2014 RTS serviced as I always do. Than put away for the winter. Oil change,Buds check, new rear brake pads. This year with the mad dash home because of the Covid and my wife has had some health issues, I haven’t even put 1000 miles on it.
    The manual says 9300 miles or 1 year to change the oil. But it seems a waste to dump the oil with only maybe 600 miles on it. So I’m asking for opinions. Should I go ahead and have it changed?. Or would it be ok to let it go another year? Will it harm the engine if I don’t have it changed? I’ve got to make a decision pretty soon cause cold weather is coming. Thank you for your replies in advance.

  2. #2
    Very Active Member RICZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Portland, Oregon
    Posts
    2,735
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    Normally, you don't want an engine to remain idle with old oil due to the acid it accumulates. In your case, with so few miles on it, you get a pass from that rule. Never, never start an engine during hibernation unless you are going for ride for over a half hour. Let it sit until then.
    Ours is a red, black and chrome 2017 F3 Limited. Bought new in 2/2019. The avatar is my first bike back in 1952, a Simplex Servi-Cycle. Photo taken at the Barber Museum.
    2017 F3 Limited , Red, Black & Chrome

  3. #3
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central VERMONT
    Posts
    20,268
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jheck View Post
    Last September before we left for the winter for Arizona, I had my 2014 RTS serviced as I always do. Than put away for the winter. Oil change,Buds check, new rear brake pads. This year with the mad dash home because of the Covid and my wife has had some health issues, I haven’t even put 1000 miles on it.
    The manual says 9300 miles or 1 year to change the oil. But it seems a waste to dump the oil with only maybe 600 miles on it. So I’m asking for opinions. Should I go ahead and have it changed?. Or would it be ok to let it go another year? Will it harm the engine if I don’t have it changed? I’ve got to make a decision pretty soon cause cold weather is coming. Thank you for your replies in advance.
    I would just drain it well, leave the current filter in and then re-fill with new oil...... good luck ..... Mike

  4. #4
    Active Member Greven's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Sweden
    Posts
    219
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    600 miles, the oil should be fresh! I would store it during the winter, and drive the entire next season and not worry a bit!

  5. #5
    SpyderLovers Sponsor BajaRon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Greeneville, TN
    Posts
    13,515
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    I'd ride it with no worries. The 1 year rule is more of a CYA for the manufacturer than a necessity with modern oils.
    Shop Ph: 423-609-7588 (M-F, 8-5, Eastern Time)

    Only SLOW people have to leave on time...





  6. #6
    Active Member ButterSmooth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    Central Oregon
    Posts
    470
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    Dinosaur oils are the reason for the 1 year change interval. Bob the oil guy says paraffin settles out of the oil and even new oil on the shelf times out. It is NOT an issue with synthetic oil. What matters is the Total Base Number of the oil, which measures the oil's ability to neutralize acid. If you're freaked out about it, send a sample to Blackstone Labs and find out what the TBN is. I don't think anybody runs Dino oil in modern engines. I wouldn't give it a seconds thought with synthetic oil.
    2020 RT , Lamonster extender Petrol

  7. #7
    Very Active Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Northern Kalifornia
    Posts
    3,398
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    With only 600 miles shut her down for the winter and fire her up in the spring and ride her like she just had a fresh oil change.

  8. #8
    Very Active Member IdahoMtnSpyder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Idaho
    Posts
    9,767
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jheck View Post
    But it seems a waste to dump the oil with only maybe 600 miles on it. So I’m asking for opinions. Should I go ahead and have it changed?. Or would it be ok to let it go another year?
    I will state absolutely and unequivocally it would be a waste to dump it. Don't change it.

    Read this thread of my experience with extended times between changes and oil analysis results and you'll understand why I say that. Read it carefully and with an open mind. As you already have read there are many, if not most, members who will not agree with me. Compare their comments against my lab results.

    https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...-OK-check-mark!

    2014 Copper RTS

    Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
    2014 RTS , Copper! (officially Cognac)

  9. #9
    Active Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Sheridan, Wyoming USA
    Posts
    81
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    I agree with ButterSmooth about the dino-vs.-synthetic aspect. Some seasons I get fewer than 3,000 miles on my two-wheeler, and since I never change until I have 6-7,000 on the oil, and it winters in a garage that sees temps over 100 F to -35 F, I use full synthetic.

  10. #10
    Very Active Member Highwayman2013's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    North Las Vegas, NV
    Posts
    4,561
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    No need to change the oil. It will be fine.
    2016 F3 Limited
    2019 Ryker Rally
    2014 Suzuki V Strom 650
    2020 CSC TT 250
    2016 F 3 Limited , Vegas White

  11. #11
    Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie Peter Aawen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Australia; Sth Aust, Adelaide Hills
    Posts
    9,515
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by IdahoMtnSpyder View Post
    I will state absolutely and unequivocally it would be a waste to dump it. Don't change it.

    Read this thread of my experience with extended times between changes and oil analysis results and you'll understand why I say that. Read it carefully and with an open mind. As you already have read there are many, if not most, members who will not agree with me. Compare their comments against my lab results.

    https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...-OK-check-mark!
    Not that I really disagree with it being a bit of a waste for the OP to dump their oil after only 600 miles-ish.... but Idaho, you need to remember that YOUR style of ryding on YOUR Spyder in the ambient temps and conditions that YOU experience may well mean that YOUR oil analysis/lab results are most likely going to be somewhat different to anyone else's! It's probably a bit of a stretch and somewhat more of a risk to think that YOUR results should be anything more than an indication of the potential lab results for anyone else. Worth noting, sure, but I certainly wouldn't bet the farm on anyone else's oil analysis results being all that close, let alone identical!

    Still, if Jheck is the least bit concerned, while the cost of an extra oil change is pretty small when compared with the potential cost if something fails without said change, I'd think the risk of that occurring really IS a fair bit smaller.
    2013 RT Ltd Pearl White

    Ryde More, Worry Less!

  12. #12
    Very Active Member bigbadbrucie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Chilliwack, BC. Canada
    Posts
    1,173
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Don’t know prices where you live, but take a $30,000 or $20,000 machine vs the price for an oil change, not even 1%. What’s to think about? If it was me, I’d dump it. jmho wtfdik


    Tri-Axis Chrome Handlebars
    Sena SM10 BT Dongle
    Double USB Port/Volt meter
    LaMonster Magic Mirrors
    BajaRon Swaybar
    HALO Skid Plate
    Spyder Pops Rear Running Lights Turn Signals/Brake Light
    Spyder Pops Mirror Running Lights/Turn Signals
    Shorty Antenna
    LaMonster Cat Delete
    Akrapovic Muffler
    FOBO2 TPMS
    Rear Trunk Rack
    Bruce Erickson

    Chilliwack, BC
    Canada
    You know when a politician is Lying. It's when his lips are moving!

    2014 RTS-SE6 - Cognac

    intro to m/c 1949 Royal Enfield 500cc thumper

  13. #13
    Active Member ButterSmooth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    Central Oregon
    Posts
    470
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    Just another thought. That first start up with an empty filter (after an oil change) will likely put more wear on your powerplant than the 'old' oil ever could. I avoid dry start oil changes whenever I can.
    2020 RT , Lamonster extender Petrol

  14. #14
    Very Active Member IdahoMtnSpyder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Idaho
    Posts
    9,767
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ButterSmooth View Post
    Just another thought. That first start up with an empty filter (after an oil change) will likely put more wear on your powerplant than the 'old' oil ever could. I avoid dry start oil changes whenever I can.
    You can mitigate that to a great extent by holding the throttle full open and hold the starter button for, say, 10 to 20 seconds. Holding the throttle full open turns off the fuel supply so the engine won't start. Cranking the engine for that time will pressure up the oil system. But all that is unnecessary as, IIRC from reading the service manual, the oil goes from crankcase to the pump to all the bearings. Separate pumps move the oil from the crankcase thru the filter to the reservoir. That means the engine does not actually run at all without oil in the bearings.

    2014 Copper RTS

    Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
    2014 RTS , Copper! (officially Cognac)

  15. #15
    Active Member RudyB's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Abbotsford British Columbia Canada
    Posts
    273
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    No just ride it and change oil when you get 9200 miles no harm will occur

  16. #16
    Very Active Member stmike 1800's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Ontario ,way up north
    Posts
    610
    Spyder Garage
    1

    Default

    Mine is almost as bad ,I have done 3 oil changes in 18,000 KM . Sure seems a waste but will continue to change every fall .As to the opp i would say you are good till next fall .
    2018 RTL , dark blue

  17. #17
    Very Active Member troop's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Stoughton, WI
    Posts
    2,524
    Spyder Garage
    2

    Default

    Dumping out 600 mile oil is like dumping out $$. Total waste of good oil. Make your last ride long enough to fully heat up the oil. Add some fuel stabilizer before that last ride. Get home, park it, shut it off, connect a battery tender, cover it up and say good bye till next season..


    2022 RT Sea To Sky
    --------------------------------
    2022 RT Seat To Sky , Mystery Blue

  18. #18
    Active Member Jheck's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    sherburne, ny
    Posts
    186
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Thanks everyone for your replies. With so little miles I think I’m just going to wait till next year for service. Hopefully next year will be better.

  19. #19
    Very Active Member bigbadbrucie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Chilliwack, BC. Canada
    Posts
    1,173
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    G
    Quote Originally Posted by Jheck View Post
    Thanks everyone for your replies. With so little miles I think I’m just going to wait till next year for service. Hopefully next year will be better.
    It’s your Spyder and you’re money. Your best option is to do what YOU’RE most comfortable with.


    Tri-Axis Chrome Handlebars
    Sena SM10 BT Dongle
    Double USB Port/Volt meter
    LaMonster Magic Mirrors
    BajaRon Swaybar
    HALO Skid Plate
    Spyder Pops Rear Running Lights Turn Signals/Brake Light
    Spyder Pops Mirror Running Lights/Turn Signals
    Shorty Antenna
    LaMonster Cat Delete
    Akrapovic Muffler
    FOBO2 TPMS
    Rear Trunk Rack
    Bruce Erickson

    Chilliwack, BC
    Canada
    You know when a politician is Lying. It's when his lips are moving!

    2014 RTS-SE6 - Cognac

    intro to m/c 1949 Royal Enfield 500cc thumper

  20. #20
    Active Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Land of Lincoln
    Posts
    216
    Spyder Garage
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ButterSmooth View Post
    Dinosaur oils are the reason for the 1 year change interval. Bob the oil guy says paraffin settles out of the oil and even new oil on the shelf times out. It is NOT an issue with synthetic oil. What matters is the Total Base Number of the oil, which measures the oil's ability to neutralize acid. If you're freaked out about it, send a sample to Blackstone Labs and find out what the TBN is. I don't think anybody runs Dino oil in modern engines. I wouldn't give it a seconds thought with synthetic oil.
    No. Simply not true.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •