Oil change interval

[AlanNZ]

Many on this list prefer to do oil changes at 5,000km which is half the recommended interval. For those that do this; Do you change the filter every second change and do you also do the gearbox and drive oils at the same time?
Alan NZ

 

[myke8329]

When you change the engine oil you must ALWAYS change your oil filter as well. Engines are expensive; oil filters and oil filters are cheap. With respect to the gear and diff oil, I only do them on the 10, 000 km services. I always change my engile oil (and filter) at the 5, 000 intervals.

Regards

 

[11514v]

Many on this list prefer to do oil changes at 5,000km which is half the recommended interval. For those that do this; Do you change the filter every second change and do you also do the gearbox and drive oils at the same time?
Alan NZ

My advice is to follow the factory recommended intervals. The engineers who designed the bike had the best information on what is needed and are gonna ro be conservative with recommended maintenance intervals. If you would like to do maintenance at more frequent intervals than recommended then change whatever you like as it is overkill under normal use in any case.

 

[Mackers]

I change the oil every 5000kms and the filter every 10,000km. The Breva manual says to change the drive/gearbox oils every 20,000km but I do them every 10,000km, too.

 

[john zibell]

I worked where there was an oil analysis lab. I've had several samples checked that I have drained at the recommended interval. Now they asked why did I change the oil as it was still fine to use. So in my experience to change more often that the recommended interval is a waste of oil and money, but it is your money so do as you wish. In fact the intervals could probably be increased but without the data to do so I wouldn't recommend that.

 

[Mackers]

My Ford manual says to change it every 15,000km or more often under hard use. It defines hard use as (from memory) less than 10,000km per year. i guess they're saying to change it on an annual (time) basis not a mileage basis. I would struggle to do 10,000kms a year on each bike. But your right, it's time to reconsider my habits.

 

[PP-1753]

I used to do some work for an engine reconditioner. Here are words from the wise:
- We have never seen an engine fail from lack of oil changes (providing there is sufficient oil in there);
- We have never seen an engine fail from too many oil changes (providing the oil is still in there when changed)l;

I would suspect changing at 5000km is acceptable practice and certainly can't hurt. Changing the oil filter at the same time makes sense and all in all it is very cheap insurance.

5000/10000km? Use your own personal judgement and do what you think is right for your beautiful bike...

 

[trialsn]

Bringing up an old thread from the grave, figured it would be better than creating a new one. So my odometer currently reads 4,000km. According to the OM (page 143), the bike is good for another 6,000km's (10,000km) until the next service is required? Surely this can't be right, I bring my car in every 8000km religiously.

Just wondering what everyone else is doing. I don't want to recklessly throw money away by having the bike serviced prematurely, however if it is a good idea, that is a different story.

Cheers all,

C

 

[john zibell]

10,000 Km or 6,200 miles is the interval. The synthetic oil gives you this longer interval. That said, changing oil once a year if you don't get the miles isn't a bad idea. Experience with oil analysis actually says these intervals are conservative. Most oil changes are done too early.

 

[canuck1969]

Remember you have a dry clutch so the oil does not get contaminated with clutch debris like wet clutch bikes. 10,000km or once a year is the norm when combined with the synthetic oil. Just keep riding it and save your money.

 

[john zibell]

Remember you have a dry clutch so the oil does not get contaminated with clutch debris like wet clutch bikes. 10,000km or once a year is the norm when combined with the synthetic oil. Just keep riding it and save your money.

The BMW new water heads still have a 6,000 mile interval. These new bikes have a wet clutch.

 

[Lannis]

The recommendation from the manufacturer is every 10,000 km. If you decide to change it at 5,000 km, then wouldn't 2,500 km be even better? Or 1,250 km? Why not, if "more often" is better?

Lannis

 

[PP-1753]

Reminiscent of the old DuctTapes that had a 1000 mile service interval - but only if it lasted that long...

 

[trialsn]

Well, that answers that. I was under the impression that since the low km's on the bike, the 5k service would be required due to anything floating around while the bike continues to break in.

 

[canuck1969]

Well, that answers that. I was under the impression that since the low km's on the bike, the 5k service would be required due to anything floating around while the bike continues to break in.

Is there a 1000 km service on a V7 and if so did you do that one?

 

[Riversider]

Sorry to start this up again, (oil question for John Zibell) but what is the argument for an annual change? My bike is a 1200 Sport 4V (not rollerised) low mileage in great condition. I ask the question because I changed my oil (slightly before the recommended interval) in June last year. I only managed a couple of thousand miles after that, before laying the bike up for winter —in a heated garage. I only do long rides (no short commutes etc) so the bike is always fully hot on the road. I have at least another 3,000 miles to go before the next service is due, but the "annual" change will come long before that. Do I do my next change according to the calendar or the distance?
And if we're talking regular annual oil changes, do you recommend new oil before laying up, or new oil on starting up in the Spring?

 

[PP-1753]

If your riding does not put on the required amount of miles/kilometres, the annual change is the one to go with. As always it can't hurt. And since your engine is not rollerised, best not to ride it at all until it has been checked out by a dealer, and a claim initiated - it's not a matter of if, but when. There are some horrible stories of the whole engine needing replacement in the worst cases, but it is better to err on the side of safety and longevity.

 

[scottmastrocinque]

Sorry to start this up again, (oil question for John Zibell) but what is the argument for an annual change? My bike is a 1200 Sport 4V (not rollerised) low mileage in great condition. I ask the question because I changed my oil (slightly before the recommended interval) in June last year. I only managed a couple of thousand miles after that, before laying the bike up for winter —in a heated garage. I only do long rides (no short commutes etc) so the bike is always fully hot on the road. I have at least another 3,000 miles to go before the next service is due, but the "annual" change will come long before that. Do I do my next change according to the calendar or the distance?
And if we're talking regular annual oil changes, do you recommend new oil before laying up, or new oil on starting up in the Spring?

Change the oil before you put it up for the winter. Combustion byproducts suspended in the oil are corrosive, and you don't want them working as an acid on any metal surfaces for months at a time, undisturbed. If you have ever dismantled an old engine let sitting with old oil, you will find "worm tracks" on the main bearings and oil pan. Put in clean oil annually or before winter storage.

Oil is cheap, engines are expensive.

 

[AlanNZ]

Change the oil before you put it up for the winter.

Lucky we ride all year round here in NZ.
No winter putting up required.
Alan

 

[scottmastrocinque]

Lucky we ride all year round here in NZ.
No winter putting up required.
Alan

When I lived in my native San Diego, California, that was also true, but here in Ohio, snow stops you dead in the winter. It's a bummer for sure.