One year on the oil & filters, but only 900 miles - is it OK to change just the oil?

[EKB2to3Wheelz]

We have one year on the oil and both oil filters but only 900 miles ridden last year for a variety of reasons. We’re planning to change the oil but leave the two oil filters as the engine and transmission are well beyond break in period. Used a complete BRP kit last time, just hoping to change the oil and get back riding this season. Looking for the expert’s thoughts on this.

Thanks

 

[2dogs]

Change both and go ride.

 

[CopperSpyder]

You didn't say what year or model Spyder you have. If it were my Spyder I would call what I have a new oil change with 900 miles completed and keep going until I reach to required miles to change or change in the Fall, whatever comes first. Everyone else should change their oil per manual.

 

[Gwolf]

I am not an expert. I would change the filter too. I have never, in all my life changed just the oil in anything, trucks, cars, tractors, mowers, or motorcycles. Most filters are less than $10. I will always choose to changed the filter every time the oil is changed. Like anything else, it is not just about how dirty the filter is, consider how long that paper in it has been sitting there, soaking in oil. If you had a set of tires that had never been put on the motorcycle and had zero wear on them, but they were 10 years sitting in a tire rack, would you put the tires on your motorcycle?

An expert is someone who knows more and more, about less and less, until they finally know everything about nothing.

 

[LongIsland]

I would check your operators manual for the recommended oil/filter change and follow it. The BRP recommended oil and filter change is once every 9,300 miles or once a year. I always change the filter with an oil change no matter the mileage.

 

[racoon]

An expert is someone who knows more and more, about less and less, until they finally know everything about nothing.

X is an unknown, spurt is a drip under pressure.

Expert = an unknown drip under pressure.

 

[jjc54]

We have one year on the oil and both oil filters but only 900 miles ridden last year for a variety of reasons. We’re planning to change the oil but leave the two oil filters as the engine and transmission are well beyond break in period. Used a complete BRP kit last time, just hoping to change the oil and get back riding this season. Looking for the expert’s thoughts on this.

Thanks

900 miles in a year doesn't mean much to me. It depends more on the number of rides it took to get there. If you rode 10 times to get the 900 miles it would be much better than riding say 60 times. The oil needs to brought up in temp to burn off the nasty stuff that can accumulate from short trips. If you did longer trips your oil should be ok but think about up grading your oil and probably save yourself some money. Get out there and ride more.

 

[ARtraveler]

The current oil change information says you can go 9500 miles or once a year before changing out the oil. All my oil changes had to be done by a dealer, due to my health issues. At $350 a pop, I would give it 9500 or a year whichever comes first.

I know I will not make everyone happy on this one. I made it through 7 Spyders and over 200K miles before turning in my Spyder keys for good. Never had an oil or an engine issue with any of the seven.

 

[EKB2to3Wheelz]

We’ll do the whole thing. It was about 5 rides to get the 900 miles.

 

[happyspyder2039]

We’ll do the whole thing. It was about 5 rides to get the 900 miles.

If it were me I would just ride for the next season and change in August before winter. 900 in 5 rides is long enough to get oil clean. Short trips are worse on oil and battery.

 

[racoon]

As for the maintenance schedule, on Page 119 of my 2024 Spyder RT Operator's Guide it has the following:

The maintenance chart indicates the items needing to be addressed based on 2 criteria, whichever happens first:

– Calendar time
– Odometer reading.

The key point, at least to me, is "whichever happens first".
Every other vehicle I've owned has similar language regarding service intervals.

 

[jjc54]

As for the maintenance schedule, on Page 119 of my 2024 Spyder RT Operator's Guide it has the following:


The key point, at least to me, is "whichever happens first".
Every other vehicle I've owned has similar language regarding service intervals.

Normally I would agree but in this case the yearly service would be like having oil in your cabinet for a year and throwing it away because it is a year old.

 

[Gwolf]

The oil in the cabinet has an airtight lid on it. The oil in an engine is vented to atmosphere. Cycles of heat and cold, humidity in the air, any movement of air will likely have some moisture content.

 

[happyspyder2039]

The current oil change information says you can go 9500 miles or once a year before changing out the oil. All my oil changes had to be done by a dealer, due to my health issues. At $350 a pop, I would give it 9500 or a year whichever comes first.

I know I will not make everyone happy on this one. I made it through 7 Spyders and over 200K miles before turning in my Spyder keys for good. Never had an oil or an engine issue with any of the seven.

$350 for a oil change is dealership stealing. I get my semi with 12 gallons oil, fuel/oil filters, & Lube for less than that!

 

[Mikey]

Got to love these oil threads! To the OP, why would you be so concerned to want to change your oil, but not your filters also? Never go cheap when it comes to oil changes, it's cheap insurance to do it right!

 

[ARtraveler]

$350 for a oil change is dealership stealing. I get my semi with 12 gallons oil, fuel/oil filters, & Lube for less than that!

Spyder dealership work has always been on the high side. Back in 2008, when I was one of "original" Spyder owners in Alaska, my first oil change (and then at 600 miles), was $300. And this dealer even liked me. I was used to $35 oil changes for my cars in those days.

 

[BajaRon]

I am with ARtraveler on this one. Throwing out good oil after a year is a waste. I am not against doing this if it makes you feel better. But saving money always makes me feel good.

 

[Mikey]

With some of these oils out now, I feel that this, or one year thing could go away! If you're talking just storing it for the winter, that's one thing, two or three years well that's a horse of a different color! Just my thoughts, do what makes you feel good! Sometimes we over think these things.

 

[djh3]

My thought almost goes to I would change the filter before worrying about the oil. As the filter traps the dirt. The other thing that comes to mind is way back when car oil changes were recommended at 3500 miles, change oil then filter every other. A tech I worked with asked the customer "would you take a shower with your socks on?"

 

[Mikey]

My thought almost goes to I would change the filter before worrying about the oil. As the filter traps the dirt. The other thing that comes to mind is way back when car oil changes were recommended at 3500 miles, change oil then filter every other. A tech I worked with asked the customer "would you take a shower with your socks on?"

I've seen some showers where I WISH I had my socks on!!