Changing Oil

[Rayelljay]

I spoke at length with my dealer in W-S this weekend and raised this issue.
He said that as long as he completes the 600 mi. first service he would like to have it in the shop at least twice or three times a year to keep up with the mechanical condition. That way he would be better informed if warranty work is necessary.

 

[SpydeRider2010]

some people see Spyders as an RV; rather than a
conveyance. I ride ours back and forth to work
EVERYday; so I don't have the option of screwing
around with scheduled maintenance.

when I had an HD electra glide, I change the oil,
trans and primary fluid at... every service. yea...
it was a bit of overkill. but you'll never replace and
engine, trans/clutch, because of clean fluids.

I'll let my dearler service the major intervals; and
I'll stick to the simple oil & filter changes. keep a
folder with your parts/fluid receipts, note the date
and mileage and any other things you find during
YOUR part of the serivce; and you "should" be pretty
good to go.

 

[BajaRon]

Don't make the mistake of comparing auto oil change intervals with motorcycles. Many motorcycles including the Spyder have a wet clutch which increases the rate of oil shearing. Large molecules which control viscosity are permanently sheared over time causing the oil to lose the required viscosity needed to protect engine components.

Extending oil change intervals is false economy. Stick to 3,000 miles for the Spyder.

This is a misconception and bad information, as pointed out by Bad Dog6 But then the question must be asked, 'Can you get good information from a Bad Dog?' :dontknow: Oh well, maybe that question can be answered in another thread! opcorn:

I do agree that if you are using a standard or a 'Synthetic' oil that is not a true synthetic (BRP's 'Full Synthetic' and most other brands for example), then yes, you should probably stick to the 3,000 mi oil change interval.

It is a shame that marketing of 'Synthetic' oils has muddied the waters and intentionally made the subject confusing to the consumer. The truth is, all Synthetic oils are nowhere near the same thing. There is a world of difference and protection capabilities between fake 'Synthetic' and true Synthetic oils.

I am an Amsoil fan because Amsoil is the real deal and they deliver. If they ever stop living up to their claims I will no longer be a fan. In other words, my relationship with Amsoil is performanced based, period.

So, the rest of the story is, with a Class IV, Ester based true synthetic oil like Amsoil (and a few others) doubling the mileage change interval will still give you better protection than changing oil in your Spyder every 3,000 miles. This is due, in part, to the fact that the molicules do not break down, as in other oils, even with the crushing forces encounted with transmission gears. This is not hype, rumor or hearsay. It is documented in several independent tests over many years, both in the labratory and in real world conditions.

Now I am not saying that everyone has to get Amsoil, or another true synthetic, and extend your oil changes to twice the mileage. All I am saying is the option is out there and it is a viable one. You get better protection for less money and 1/2 the effort. Sounds great to me! hyea:

 

[Sarge707]

I just reached 3,000 (15,000 miles) and I extracted and replaced 1 quart to freshen it up and will change at 4,000 as I ride ALL winter when possible. Castrol 4S 4T Jaso MA2!

 

[pro10is]

Don't make the mistake of comparing auto oil change intervals with motorcycles. Many motorcycles including the Spyder have a wet clutch which increases the rate of oil shearing. Large molecules which control viscosity are permanently sheared over time causing the oil to lose the required viscosity needed to protect engine components.

Extending oil change intervals is false economy. Stick to 3,000 miles for the Spyder.

This is a misconception and bad information...

C'mon Ron, my advice was neither "bad information" nor a "misconception" to the vast majority of motorcyclists including most Spyder owners who use the oils specified by their owner's manuals or conventional motor oils. Let's be fair. I agree that the small minority of owners who use an exceptional (and expensive) oil like AMSOIL's true synthetic (not a blended synthetic like BRP's) can indeed extend their oil change interval because true synthetic oil has better shear resistance among its other attributes, but the majority of owners who do not are well informed to change their oil at 3,000 miles as I said. So I stand firmly behind my statement.

Additionally if you change your own oil and you have engine problems while under warranty you may be asked to prove you changed your oil at 3,000 miles as the Spyder owners manual specifies. If you extend your oil change interval well beyond what the manufacturer specifies because you are using a superior motor oil then you do so at the risk of potentially being denied warranty coverage. This may not be fair but it can and does happen.

I use AMSOIL but I still change my oil at 3,000 miles to stay within the manufacturer's specifications and will continue to do so until the warranty expires. This protects both my engine and my warranty.

 

[Smokinspyder]

I change it in both my car and my bikes every 3 thousand . Cut and dry now my wife will argue that we can go more miles than 3k , but when you see the nasty sludge that comes out of her car after between 5k and 7k ( roughly) you wouldnt argue wether to wait or change it . I know what amsoil and royal purple and manf state or what my mechanic friends suggest or what we all were told,but my personal opinion is change it when you feel comfortable if you feel safe doing it at 1k , 3k or 15k , do it . We can all throw stats back and forth and say this person says this and that company states this till we are blue in the face , it just shows we can read directions LOL( who still reads them anyway :roflblack . and when my wifes motor blows because she waited to darn long to change the oil I will still be the mean guy who let her motor blow up LOL and will have to rebuild it . So if you feel safe going past 3k please feel free, if you dont please feel free. In the end its all about one thing. Being a Spyder Lover !!!! Stay upright my friends.

 

[BajaRon]

C'mon Ron, my advice was neither "bad information" nor a "misconception" to the vast majority of motorcyclists including most Spyder owners who use the oils specified by their owner's manuals or conventional motor oils. Let's be fair. I agree that the small minority of owners who use an exceptional (and expensive) oil like AMSOIL's true synthetic (not a blended synthetic like BRP's) can indeed extend their oil change interval because true synthetic oil has better shear resistance among its other attributes, but the majority of owners who do not are well informed to change their oil at 3,000 miles as I said. So I stand firmly behind my statement.

Additionally if you change your own oil and you have engine problems while under warranty you may be asked to prove you changed your oil at 3,000 miles as the Spyder owners manual specifies. If you extend your oil change interval well beyond what the manufacturer specifies because you are using a superior motor oil then you do so at the risk of potentially being denied warranty coverage. This may not be fair but it can and does happen.

I use AMSOIL but I still change my oil at 3,000 miles to stay within the manufacturer's specifications and will continue to do so until the warranty expires. This protects both my engine and my warranty.

Maybe I did not word it well but I did say; "I do agree that if you are using a standard or a 'Synthetic' oil that is not a true synthetic (BRP's 'Full Synthetic' and most other brands for example), then yes, you should probably stick to the 3,000 mi oil change interval."

Many manufacturer's, like Ford for example, do recognize the abilbity of true synthetic oils and will honor warranty work with extended change intervals when using Amsoil. I do not know if this holds true for BRP or not.

I think you might be surprised at how many Spyder owners use Amsoil. I do not think it is a small minority. In this Spyderlovers poll Amsoil is running about 25%.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...sage-poll-what-do-you-use&p=394961#post394961

I am not aware of any Amsoil users having warranty issues. Of course that doesn't mean that it couldn't happen.

 

[pro10is]

Maybe I did not word it well but I did say; "I do agree that if you are using a standard or a 'Synthetic' oil that is not a true synthetic (BRP's 'Full Synthetic' and most other brands for example), then yes, you should probably stick to the 3,000 mi oil change interval..."

Ron, Yes you did say that but it was a bit contradictory with the "bad information" statement so I felt I had to defend my position. I don't post a whole lot but when I do I try my best to get the facts straight because I feel the readers of this forum deserve to have quality information. From the excellent information I've read in your posts I'm sure you agree.

I'm very happy to hear that a good percentage of Spyder owners use AMSOIL. In my opinion and research there is nothing better. I've used it in my motorcycles, boats, and cars for many years. I won't use anything else. I feel that using the finest motor oil is one of the smartest and cost effective choices anyone can make for the longevity and enjoyment of their vehicles.