Oil Change

[Dudley]

Did my second full oil change today (10,610 miles). Didn't take nearly as long as the first time. After riding 5000 miles on the first application of Royal Purple the Spyder was about 3/4 of a quart low. Next test will be on our close to 10,000 miles vacation starting June 20th. That will be interesting to see.

 

[M2Wild]

10,000 miles ? Wow!

 

[Dudley]

10,000 miles ? Wow!

I agree. Everytime we map out, we add. We were going as far as Nova Scotia, now we're looking at Newfoundland, which is an 8 hour ferry ride from Nova Scotia. Really a bit scarey, but a once in a life time vacation. Might as well go for it before we can't anymore.

 

[Firefly]

Please tell me you're going to do an oil change sometime during your trip?


I'm really by the book on timeframes and will stick to 3,000 miles. I know the RP should last that long - but what about contaminants and the filter getting dirty?

I'm sure you could find a Spyder Lover along the way that could store some oil and filters for you so you can plan an oil change while on the road.

I've still got the funky smell after my change to RP. Don't know what to make of it!

 

[Dudley]

Please tell me you're going to do an oil change sometime during your trip?


I'm really by the book on timeframes and will stick to 3,000 miles. I know the RP should last that long - but what about contaminants and the filter getting dirty?

I'm sure you could find a Spyder Lover along the way that could store some oil and filters for you so you can plan an oil change while on the road.

I've still got the funky smell after my change to RP. Don't know what to make of it!

I remembered your post about the smell. Smelled both the new and the old oil, no smell. And yes, if all works out, I will change oil when I get back home. I will bring an extra quart with us, but that's it. My rear tire has 10,000 and it's doing the whole trip, I hope. I just want to test the Spyder to the max. To some it may seem stupid, but I just want to see what it can do when tested. If it goes belly-up, well you know about those bridges we have to cross!!

 

[SpyderGirl]

That's one helluva trip. I am curious to see how it works out for you. Have a safe trip!

 

[Firefly]

I remembered your post about the smell. Smelled both the new and the old oil, no smell. And yes, if all works out, I will change oil when I get back home. I will bring an extra quart with us, but that's it. My rear tire has 10,000 and it's doing the whole trip, I hope. I just want to test the Spyder to the max. To some it may seem stupid, but I just want to see what it can do when tested. If it goes belly-up, well you know about those bridges we have to cross!!

Going 5,000 miles is one thing - but 10,000 is over 3 times what BRP recommends. Not worth the risk my friend. It's not like something will happen all the sudden - but what you will have is a shorter life of your engine & tranny. Perhaps a gradual loss of power as you pass 50,000 miles someday. Remember the oil is taking a beating in the tranny. The filter might not be able to filter more than 5,000 miles - which means parts of the engine could starve for oil.

Heck - if you come through Michigan I'll change the oil for you! I'll even use the RP that you like!

I just don't think it's worth the risk of saving an hours time and $60 .nojoke

 

[NancysToy]

Going 5,000 miles is one thing - but 10,000 is over 3 times what BRP recommends. Not worth the risk my friend. It's not like something will happen all the sudden - but what you will have is a shorter life of your engine & tranny. Perhaps a gradual loss of power as you pass 50,000 miles someday. Remember the oil is taking a beating in the tranny. The filter might not be able to filter more than 5,000 miles - which means parts of the engine could starve for oil.

Heck - if you come through Michigan I'll change the oil for you! I'll even use the RP that you like!

I just don't think it's worth the risk of saving an hours time and $60 .nojoke

I'm afraid :agree: - cross country travel, and pushing the machine's mechanical limits is one thing, but it has to be happy in the process. A fouled filter from having to collect over three times its recommended capacity could starve your engine for oil, and then where would you be. I'd either make arrangement with a dealer, or another SpyderLover, to do what is necessary at least half way through. BMW, Goldwing, and other high mileage touring riders have to change oil and tires on the road all the time, but it keeps them going. Don't punish the engine for the sake of convenience or a schedule.
-Scotty

 

[bjt]

One advantage to cross country is that most of the riding is not in stop and go traffic. That kind of riding (stop and go) is harder on the oil that highway cruising.

 

[krb1945]

Might just change filter

I don't know yet if it is possible to change just the filter and top up but if it was I'd take an extra oil filter and change it and top it back up.

That's what I did on my GL1500 and do on my GL1800 :shemademe_smilie:and yes I use the leading 10w-40 synthetic motorcycle oil.:thumbup:

I just don't know if the filter drains the tank on the spyder hyear not so that may be a consideration.

 

[SpyderMechanic]

I don't know yet if it is possible to change just the filter and top up but if it was I'd take an extra oil filter and change it and top it back up.

That's what I did on my GL1500 and do on my GL1800 :shemademe_smilie:and yes I use the leading 10w-40 synthetic motorcycle oil.:thumbup:

I just don't know if the filter drains the tank on the spyder hyear not so that may be a consideration.

To answer your almost question......NO, changing the oil filter will not drain the oil tank because it is seperate from the engine. Also by making that long of a trip without having your unit serviced will most likley void any warranty you have left on your spyder. Happy motoring....

 

[hondaman]

I wouldnt worry about 10k miles.Our new hondas go allmost 10k miles before each oil change.The ecu knows from all the inputs of the car when the oil and filter needs replaced.Every car is different.I know for a fact a honda will run 34k on the first oil change before it will go knock,knock.It finally sluged up all the oil.Changed it 2 times and runs for now.She said she didnt know you had to change the oil.Our oil filter had a valve that opens when the filter is stopped up so the engine will not run out of oil.
20 years ago oil would not last that long,oil has come a long way.

 

[Firefly]

Last time I changed the oil it took less than an hour - small price to pay for keeping your bike running clean.

My offer is still out there to change it for you if you're passing thru my area.

 

[bone crusher]

As many have said here, changing oil is probably the most important thing you can do for your vehicle. Oil recommendations are not just so the dealer can make more money...

3k-5k and you're likely fine...10k is too much...for the time and money it takes to do a change somewhere mid-trip, it's well worth it.

I agree with Fire...