How often do you......

[old grouch]

change the oil in your Valk?  The maintenance schedule calls for 8K, and the manual does not specify synthetic oil.  Does anybody go that long?  Seems like a lot of miles for a factory recommended oil change interval.  That said, my '04 Titan calls for 7500 and my wife's '02 Saab calls for 5K or when the light comes on, whichever is first.  Is 8K too many miles, or is that just my age showing  ???  I use Mobil1 15W50 w/o friction modifiers.  Would appreciate input from some of you folks with high miles on your machine.  TIA  Stan   

[Joe Hummer]

I go about 5k.  Running Mobil 1 15w50. 

[Wildman]

Your good for at least 8K miles with the Mobile 1, 15w50.
The reasoning is that Molbile 1 is full synthetic, and a far better oil than Honda specs. for the 8k interval. I assume you are changing the oil filter with each oil change.
If you are not burning any oil your fine.
If you are burning oil it's not the Mobile 1 that caused it.

I use "Spectro Platinum 4" 10w50 full synthetic Motorcycle oil.
It's designed to run in a motorcycle engine, with a transmission and clutch in the oil.
It covers the entire viscosity range that Honda recommends for any temperature extreme, hot or cold.
It costs $11.50/liter, but it's the best I know of.
I'll run up to 12K miles between changes (or each season which ever comes first) and feel OK about it.
I have a Valk Std. with 85 K miles on it. It burns no oil from one change to the next.

[redflash]

Holy crap! I use Castrol GTX 20W-50 and change it and the filter every 3,000, period. 12K miles is a lot of carbon dumped into your oil , not so good to the best of my knowledge. Doesn't make a difference what oil is in there, carbon and crap build up in your oil and wears on your shiny parts. I'm at 61K and it takes almost 1,500 miles for my oil to get visually dirty. JMHO, YMMV, etc, etc :-)

[wdvalk]

I run amsoil,I go 3000 to 4000 ,I have 62000 mi. and no problemos

[NITRO]

I run a synthetic blend and change in the spring, after 8K miles, and again before storing for winter.

My Honda Civic Si calls for oil changes every 10K miles and filter every 20K!!! I switch both at 5-6K.

[Farther]

My Honda Civic Si calls for oil changes every 10K miles and filter every 20K!!! I switch both at 5-6K.

Ditto for our '06 Honda Element.  I was surprised that the manual called for a filter change every other oil change for the Element.  My oil and filter gets changed about every 6K on both the bike and car.  I am close to 6K on the bike and the Mobil 1 motorcycle oil is still very clean on the dip stick.

[Dag]

I change oil and filter once a year regardless of mileage.
From 3000 to 10000 Miles

I had 11250 miles on her last summer befor oil and filter change.
The oil pressure was still normal.
I took a oil sample to our lab at my work and it still had good lubricating properties.

I use Valvoline DuraBlend 10W40

[BF]

Twice a year.......spring and fall.  Some might consider it overkill, but it makes me feel better. 

[bradnw]

I generally do 3500 ish on the Valk using Rotella T-6,  also good to see another Titan owner with a Valk as well.  I love and i mean LOVE both of my Toys

[hubcapsc]

Holy crap! I use Castrol GTX 20W-50 and change it and the filter every 3,000, period. 12K miles is a lot of carbon dumped into your oil , not so good to the best of my knowledge. Doesn't make a difference what oil is in there, carbon and crap build up in your oil and wears on your shiny parts. I'm at 61K and it takes almost 1,500 miles for my oil to get visually dirty. JMHO, YMMV, etc, etc :-)

I change the Honda non-synthetic oil in my Valk every 4k to 5k...

On the Mini Cooper, I just do what it sez... a number on my dashboard counts down to "it is time now",
I guess it is hooked to some sensors and a computer... the fool thing goes 12k to 15k between
changes. 80k so far... when I get to 200k without the engine blowing up, I guess the number on the
dashboard will be vindicated. The book sez "check it every now and again in case you have to add some..."
I do have to add some every so often...

-Mike "stoopid Mini Cooper rumors...  "

[old grouch]

Thanks for the responses.  Seems like a lot of differing opinions.  Probably just shows the Valk is bullet-proof!  Stan

[X Ring]

I go about 5k.  Running Mobil 1 15w50. 

+1 and a new Purolator Pure One PL14610 filter.

Marty

[Dave Weaver]

I change oil on all my vehicles at 5K.  It makes it easy to just look at odometer and see how close you are to next change, no remembering or keeping a written reminder in vehicle.  The manuals call for anywhere from 5k to 7.5k to 8k on my vehicles.

[Valker]

I have 117,000 on mine. I change the oil between 3000 and 12000 miles. I run 10/40, 20/50, 15/50, 5/40, or 15/40. Some of these are synthetic, some are Petroleum. Mine uses zero oil for however long I run it.
Do with those statements as you will.

[sheets]

5K mile interval on Valk (and other vehicles). Valk - I do the oil & filter myself.  I re-use/recycle the synthetic oil from the scoot (and mowers) to keep my commuter car topped off with oil between service intervals.  Oil gets used 5K in the scoot... with additional miles in the commuter cage. Yrmv,   

[valkmc]

I use Shell Rotella full syn. and change it between 8 and 9k. 70,000 miles no problems. The oil looks very good when I take it out. It is not discolored or anything.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I use Rotella T full synthetic and start thinking about changing it at 2000 miles none of my bikes have ever went over 3000 miles without a oil and filter change ...Just for the record I keep the oil changed in my cars and trucks pretty religious as well... Say what you will its my bike and my money 

[fudgie]

I change every 3-5k. I usually do it before Sturgis at some point and then after I get home. 3 times a year it normally gets changed. I'll change it after the Whiskey run and then again in July before SD. Rotella syn.

[2qmedic]

I use Rotella T full synthetic and change at 5k.
67,000 miles 

[Willow]

I run Rotella synthetic and change at or about 10K miles.  My Valkyrie currently has 154 thousand miles on it.

Change it as often as you need to for your own peace of mind.  It's a small price for removing all that worry.

[98valk]

"changing oil at 3k miles is just wrong for modern day oil."
"Friends don't let friends change at 3k"

[Pete]

3000 for non synthetic in anything, 5000 synthetic in diesel or motorcycle, 7500 for synthetic in car. And I have never had an oil related failure using these guidelines. I check oil frequently and if I detect it getting dirty or black early, I change it earlier, or the oil fails the old thumbnail test I change immediately.

Thumbnail test ---- put a drop or oil on a clean thumbnail, rub it with another clean thumbnail, if it dulls the thumbnail it fails, if you detect ANY resistance it fails, should be SLICK.

[Hoser]

I ride 6 to 12  thousand miles a year, I change mobil 1 15-50 and supertech filter every spring.  She does not hibernate in the winter. hoser