What Mileage Are you Changing Your Oil?

[DGoebel]

It's on Cal-Sci's website I think https://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oil.html I just read it this morning.

 

[GDA]

i did mine oil change every 3000miles

washable fitler and 5w40 full syn oil

 

[Samson]

every 2500 miles, full synthetic and filter. Cheap insurance

 

[TRLBLZR1]

every 2500 miles, full synthetic and filter. Cheap insurance

I'd go 3k, because frequent oil changes can't hurt much (well, maybe the wallet is an exception!) The intervals listed in the manual outright scare me regardless of oil type used. It's the contaminants (including moisture) etc., not just oil "break-down."

 

[Finn]

Oil change depends on....

I started out changing every 5000 miles and having the oil tested and always the reports would tell me to go longer before changing. When we road to Alaska the oil was changed at 9600 miles, and the oil report stated that I was good for another 1000 miles. Since then I change at the 9300 mile mark.

Hi All, this is first post from me as I have just got my Spyder RT Limited 2917. Regarding oil change it differs on how you use your bike. If you have many 'shopping trolly' trips, short ones, you need to change more often. I just had my last long trip on my old bike, BMW K1200LT, and that was 9000Km over three weeks. From Perth in W. Australia to Port Macquarie NSW for the Ulysses AGM. Long trips like that your bike only has one cold start a day and as its cold starts that gives most of the wear and deterioration of the oil, the stretch of the change can be extended.
cheers,
Finn

 

[Stayfree]

Often never hurts!

every 2500 miles, full synthetic and filter. Cheap insurance

I have used the 2,500 mark for oil changes for many years. (Since the early 1970's.) I continue to do so now on all my vehicles (2 Gold Wings, 1 Valkyrie, 1 Spyder RTS, a Ford Explorer, and even my Ford F-450 with a 7.3 Diesel.

I find that spotting the 2500 mark on the odometer is easier than trying to remember which 3000 mark is coming up next. I started that back when 3000 was considered the 'gold standard'.

As @SpyderCruiser pointed out: "...my Grandfather once told me that oil was cheaper then engines, so don't cheap out on the oil changes."

On the Spyder 9300 miles just seems like far to long especially if you are an old dinosaur like myself. I ride quite a bit so I usually end up changing the oil every 2 - 3 months on my bikes which also means I end up checking out the underside fairly often.

Interestingly I also never have to really sweat oil change times on the Can Am if I am on a trip. I figure if the BRP blended oil is good for 9300 miles I can run over the 2500 miles by quite a bit if I am on a trip and it isn't convenient to change oil along the way.

On my bikes I use Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 20/50 V-Twin. Costs a little bit more than blended oil but so much less than an engine replacement or overhaul. I can honestly say that in close to a million miles on various vehicles I have never had an oil related problem and I ride hard.

Having said that if you choose to use the BRP oil, or an equivalent/better oil and wish to run it 9,300 miles I don't think you will have any problems. One concern I have with the extended oil change intervals recommended by manufacturers these days is the thought that all they really have to be sure of is the engine staying together for the length of the warranty period. On the other hand I never sell or trade in a vehicle. I accumulate miles and by the time I am finished with a vehicle there ain't a whole lot left to trade in. LOL.

Max

 

[aklim]

Have your oil tested. The report may shock you. Especially on the 1330's.

Shock as in good type or bad?

 

[Highwayman2013]

I have used the 2,500 mark for oil changes for many years. (Since the early 1970's.) I continue to do so now on all my vehicles (2 Gold Wings, 1 Valkyrie, 1 Spyder RTS, a Ford Explorer, and even my Ford F-450 with a 7.3 Diesel.

I find that spotting the 2500 mark on the odometer is easier than trying to remember which 3000 mark is coming up next. I started that back when 3000 was considered the 'gold standard'.

As @SpyderCruiser pointed out: "...my Grandfather once told me that oil was cheaper then engines, so don't cheap out on the oil changes."

On the Spyder 9300 miles just seems like far to long especially if you are an old dinosaur like myself. I ride quite a bit so I usually end up changing the oil every 2 - 3 months on my bikes which also means I end up checking out the underside fairly often.

Interestingly I also never have to really sweat oil change times on the Can Am if I am on a trip. I figure if the BRP blended oil is good for 9300 miles I can run over the 2500 miles by quite a bit if I am on a trip and it isn't convenient to change oil along the way.

On my bikes I use Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 20/50 V-Twin. Costs a little bit more than blended oil but so much less than an engine replacement or overhaul. I can honestly say that in close to a million miles on various vehicles I have never had an oil related problem and I ride hard.

Having said that if you choose to use the BRP oil, or an equivalent/better oil and wish to run it 9,300 miles I don't think you will have any problems. One concern I have with the extended oil change intervals recommended by manufacturers these days is the thought that all they really have to be sure of is the engine staying together for the length of the warranty period. On the other hand I never sell or trade in a vehicle. I accumulate miles and by the time I am finished with a vehicle there ain't a whole lot left to trade in. LOL.

Max

You will be safe with early changes but if you have the oil analyzed you will get the maximum use out of your oil. On my 2014 Suzuki 650 V Strom I had the oil (Amsoil 10W40) tested at 3,000 miles and was told to go another 2,000 miles.

 

[Bruiser37]

Oil change cycle

Have 3,200 miles on the oil change done by the dealer. I have to admit, always changed oil at 3,000 miles be it car or bike. With synthetic, let my wife's car go to 6,000 miles.

I am not willing to let the BRP oil go as long as the manual recommends, especially since it is a synthetic blend, not full synthetic. I plan on using this oil https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-Powe...008MISDH4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Have used Castrol my whole life and not about to change. For those with the BRP oil, how many miles are you going between changes?

For those using synthetic (any brand) how long are you going between changes?

Do not want this to turn into an oil thread, just want to know what mileage you all feel comfortable with changing the oil at. I know a few of you have had oil testing done and that information would be helpful with determining when to change.

Thank You, Louie and Meg

BRP recommends 9 to 10K oil & filter. Since I signed on & paid for extended oil changes & other recommended service

I go 5K on BRP synthetic blend and change my oil only with full synthetic Amsoil 10W 40 motorcycle oil. Next 5K I let dealer service change oil, filter & air filter etc. What they don't know won't hurt but I have peace of mind. High RPM engines like Rotax 1330 should never go beyond 5K between changes. Driven 100,000's motorcycle miles... always used Amsoil full synthetic MC oil... narry a problem.

 

[aklim]

Too soon since we bought it new. At 3000, I will change the oil. At 9000,i think I would send it in for testing and see what happens.

 

[classicvw]

I follow what my manuals say to do. You can bet the ranch that a manufacturer isn't going to exaggerate and risk thousands of failed engines either under warranty or a government mandated recall after a few dozen engine failures. If they say it's good for 4600, 5000, 7500 whatever, that's what I do.
Or once a year if I don't reach that mileage.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

AVATAR

Too soon since we bought it new. At 3000, I will change the oil. At 9000,i think I would send it in for testing and see what happens.

I love / want your " avatar " :yes::yes::yes::yes::yes: .... I already have the Cobra ......... Mike :thumbup:

 

[aklim]

I love / want your " avatar " :yes::yes::yes::yes::yes: .... I already have the Cobra ......... Mike :thumbup:

There was a Cobra in the picture? OMG!! I didn't notice. :yikes:

 

[jcthorne]

For our personal equipment, we believe in the KISS priciple. We chage every 5k. Easy to remember as the service is due at 5, 10, 15, 20 etc.

 

[aklim]

For our personal equipment, we believe in the KISS priciple. We chage every 5k. Easy to remember as the service is due at 5, 10, 15, 20 etc.

If my lab test says that 10k is going to work, why change at 5k and spend twice the money and time? Good oil and filters aren't given away free and why waste my time doing it, clean up and disposal of oil?

 

[Dmetcalf]

If the oil is tested what would it reveal ..?

Have your oil tested. The report may shock you. Especially on the 1330's.

Im curious so would it indicate we need to change our oil earlier or could we go even longer using a good synthetic..?
thanks

 

[Dmetcalf]

Will changing our own oil affect our warranty..?

I've always changed my oil on all of my vehicles but with this machine I don't want to do anything that would hurt me if I needed to make a warranty claim ..?
Thanks

 

[aklim]

I've always changed my oil on all of my vehicles but with this machine I don't want to do anything that would hurt me if I needed to make a warranty claim ..?
Thanks

I don't think it matters what oil you use as long as it is within spec. As to the interval, well, I would think that anything under 9300 is fair game if you want to protect the engine for AFTER the warranty. While I want to do that, I don't want to change every 3000 if it doesn't provide anything but mental satisfaction that you have been a good boy.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

CHANGING THE OIL

If my lab test says that 10k is going to work, why change at 5k and spend twice the money and time? Good oil and filters aren't given away free and why waste my time doing it, clean up and disposal of oil?

Well for me this is my last Spyder .... So I do the oil at around 5,000 ( so twice a year ) , but only one filter change. If BRP thinks the filter is good for 9,300 miles I'm good with that ..... But the OIL viscosity is well broken down by 5,000 +/- mi..... and members here have the independent Lab tests to prove it..... If you just change the oil it's not any hassle at all and fairly in-expensive .......... jmho....Mike

 

[aklim]

Well for me this is my last Spyder .... So I do the oil at around 5,000 ( so twice a year ) , but only one filter change. If BRP thinks the filter is good for 9,300 miles I'm good with that ..... But the OIL viscosity is well broken down by 5,000 +/- mi..... and members here have the independent Lab tests to prove it..... If you just change the oil it's not any hassle at all and fairly in-expensive .......... jmho....Mike

OK. Now THAT is another case. Any idea who those are so I can check with them what oil they use and maybe avoid it? Or do you know if the BRP oil is what is broken down? If it is, I'm definitely not using that oil and if I change the oil, I'm changing the filter since I am already there.