Would You Change the Oil?

[donaldcc]

 
 I am heading out for a two week trip with a couple of friends the beginning of August.  Will be about 4 - 5000 miles up from SoCal to Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, over to Sturgis a few days then to coast and down coastal roads through Oregon and California.  Can't wait.  

  So making sure bike is in tip top shape.  All routine maintenance I keep up with and I have recent new tires.  I changed oil recently and will probably have 2000 - 2500 miles on it at time of trip.  Any reason to change it again before trip?  

I know that manual says no need for that mileage, but anyone have another opinion??  '97 Tourer, 24,000 miles, I normally ride about 1000 mi/month.  I have been using Mobil 20w-50 V-Twin, a little more expensive than some.  Thanks for any input.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I know already that folk's will be getting on this thread claimin' you will be fine....I change my oil and filter every 2,500 miles always have always will in fact when I bought my first Valkyrie in 1998 I would change it every 2,000 miles. ....Those that go 8,000 to 10,000 miles good for them that would drive me nuts knowing I waited that long....For the record I change the oil and filter in my car's and truck's every 3,000 miles as well  

[The Anvil]

Well, it's a tough spot. Changing it before the trip means wasting good oil. 2500 miles is nothing for synthetic. But 7500 miles is it's service life. What's it worth to not have it on your mind?

I'm a cheap bastard so I'd probably find a way to change it on the road. 

[Red Diamond]

I know already that folk's will be getting on this thread claimin' you will be fine....I change my oil and filter every 2,500 miles always have always will in fact when I bought my first one in 1998 I wouild change it every 2,000 miles. ....Those that go 8,000 to 10,000 miles good for them that would drive me nuts knowing I waited that long....For the record I change the oil and filter in my car's and truck's every 3,000 miles as well  

I would start fresh, also not a fan of the long oil change intervals. I use Mobil 1 15-50 but don't push it pass 3500 miles, regardless of what the manufacturer says.

[X Ring]

WOW!!!  Some of you guys would FUHREAK at my oil change schedule.  Using Mobil 1 15W50 in my Valks, oil and filter get changed at 5K miles.  In my truck using Mobil 1 5W30, I change the filter at 6K miles and top off.  At 12K miles it get a complete change out.

Marty

[donaldcc]

    All good ideas guys, thanks.  Don't know why i was thinking it had to be done before I leave or wait until end.  Hate thought of throwing away nearly new oil and filter, but like it changed frequently also.

Will throw a filter in saddlebag and change somewhere at Sturgis since we are going to hang around there for a few days or somewhere before.  Maybe see some of you there.  

[art]

Sounds lika a nice trip Don .I will be going to socal the end of july .If your up in Or near Eugene let me know .We can meet up.Art

[donaldcc]

  Hi Art,  last week of trip is still in making depending on weather.  May stop in Portland to see son and family so we will come down near Eugene  if I do let's try to get together.  sent you an email and PM with phone # etc.

 

[Farther]

Just down the road south on I-90 from Sturgis is Rapid City and Rice Motors, the Honda dealer.  There used to be a Rapid City Firefighter by the name of Monty who worked there.  Good guy and a good place to purchase your oil.

[Disco]

As a starting point for perspective, the Service Manual calls for 8,000 oil change intervals with non-synthetic.  You are running synthetic and talking about a 7,500 mile interval.  You will/would be fine.  BUT, if it's something that will nag at you on your ride, change it before you go, or change it on the ride. 

[CASABROKER]

Changing syn at 2,500 mi what a waste of money.  7,500 on syn no problem.  Would change your car syn oil at 2,500 NO.  I think some are to anal on the oil thing.  But it's your bike and money.  I'm leaving on Fri for 2,500 plus trip got at least 2k on 15-50 mobil 1 syn and it's still in in the crankcase where it belongs and it will be there for awhile when I get back.

[fordmano]

Oil is kinda cheap compaired to lots of other stuff,, so change it often, makes you feel like you accomplished something today....

I usually go around 4.5K-5K with full synthetic and right at 3K with straight Dino, and always oil and filter never just one of them...

Street Bike = Full Synthetic.
Dirt Bike = Whatever is available that day.
Truck = Mix Full Synthetic and Straight Dino  15 quart system so I buy 4 gallons 2 of each type and make my own semi synthetic , but the truck leaks kinda bad so I always keep a gallon or 2 handy for the in between oil change intervals.
Wifes car = Factory Ford SemiSynthetic 5K but she drives easy.

[Chrisj CMA]

Yes, I would 

[The Anvil]

Dirt Bike = Whatever is available that day.

Yeah I can't agree with that. Dirtbikes tend to live the hardest life of all end need the best oil.

[Westsider]

I know already that folk's will be getting on this thread claimin' you will be fine....I change my oil and filter every 2,500 miles always have always will...


+1,,,,, valvoline 20-50 smooooth..

[Ricky-D]

5000 miles of continuous highway driving over a period of a couple of weeks will have the least harmful affect upon the oil in your motor.

Continuous highway riding is not like normal urban riding with all the stop and go and so many shut offs.

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[Patrick]

It sounds as if you're a little concerned about this,,so,, why not just change it before the trip and you'll not have to worry about finding a place and taking time to change it on the trip.. Just my thoughts..

[Brian]

If you are really worried about throwing good oil and filter away don't. Drain it and save it in a clean container, wrap the filter in saran wrap and replace both with new. Go on your trip and have fun without taking the time and dealing with the mess of an oil change on the road. You would probably change oil when you got home anyway, just put the old stuff back in. Nothing wasted and peace of mind. Have a safe trip.

[fudgie]

I change mine before I leave and when I come back, regaurdless of miles. I change every 3k anyway.

Like they said, there is a church on Junction, east side of the road, that has a oil change station. Bring your own. Go early cause its full after lunch. There is a dozen or more oil change places in town but this place is easy in/ out. Theres a wal mart in Spearfish SD to get oil stuff. Also a Honda dealer, Outdoor motorsports in Spearfish. South side of I-90, you can see wal-mart from it. 

[Oyeaa]

Google this "3000 mile oil change myth"    you may be very surprised. 

[Jess Tolbirt]

Here is my report,my bike had 70,000 miles when the new oil was put in and was tested at 80,000 miles,,
Castrol Blend,,, 15w-40
i ran 10,000 miles and here is the report findings from Blackstone labs,,,
everything was as new except for the viscosity and it was this,
SUS Viscosity @ 210*F should have been 65-78 it was 64.7
cSt Viscosity @ 100*F should be 11.6 - 15.3 it was 11.54
flash point was just a tad under...
in other words i could have gone another 5000 miles before a change was needed...
i change my oils at 5000 mile intervals when possible but if it goes up to 12,000 miles no harm will be done,,,
thats my story,,,

[donaldcc]

 

   lots of good input.  thanks a lot guys.  I knew there would be differing opinions and I am just looking to see what people think.  I see that some of you change at early intervals and would change before trip. Others think it is overkill.  

   Smokinjoe, Westsider, ChrisJ, Pluggy, fudgie, Red Diamond I can't argue with early change and i don't care that much about incremental cost before trip.  Seems nice to take off with very clear oil and new filter.  

  On the other hand, i am using quality oil and am not really worried about an extra couple of thousand miles especially if I am going long distance at hwy speed.  I definitely agree with Ricky-D that there is not that much stress on engine and oil compared with stop and go traffic that I don't really do. I believe you have good input Disco and Casabroker about not worrying about it.

Oyeaa, Anvil, fordmano, Xring seem to be in the middle but still under Honda recommendation of 8000 mi.  Thanks Patrick and Brian, it is a good idea to change if i am stressed, but I'm not, just looking for opinions on how others would handle it.

  Still looking for advice, but i am thinking there is no reason to change before I leave.  I have some thoughts about changing in Sturgis where it looks like Amsoil is a sponsor and should be able to get that there.  i have no problem changing there as i can do it very quickly.  Thanks fudgie and Farther about places to go.  the main thing I would want is a place to get rid of old. That must not be a big problem at Sturgis.

  I am really thinking about just waiting and changing at end of trip and getting an oil analysis after going near the recommended miles by Honda.  Where can i get that analysis Jess (or others) and how do I do it and what is cost.  it might be helpful to me in the future.  

[CASABROKER]

WOW I 'm exhausted!

[fordmano]

Dirt Bike = Whatever is available that day.

Yeah I can't agree with that. Dirtbikes tend to live the hardest life of all end need the best oil.

Cool, like a give a damn! it's my OPINION! and my dime I am spending on oil and bikes, nuff said.  
Have agreat day!


P.S.  I never said I use junk oil, recycled oil or any lower quality oil did I?

[Ricky-D]

The few times I have changed oil out on the road I would use a WalMart lot way in the back and out of view of most everyone.

I would buy a gallon of water and a cheap dish pan and a cheap towel and the oil and go to work.

After draining the oil into the dish pan I'd pour it into the empty gallon jug and take it to the guy inside the car repair place at WalMart and he'd take it, no problem.

I don't understand why I was so fearful of being discovered doing this little operation but I was and it didn't take much time at all and the feeling of having new oil in the motor was great. I never bothered about the filter.

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[Jess Tolbirt]

Blackstone Laboratories,
416 E. Pettit Ave.
Fort Wayne, In. 46806
(260) 744-2380

call them and they will fill you in....

[The Anvil]

 I am really thinking about just waiting and changing at end of trip and getting an oil analysis after going near the recommended miles by Honda.  Where can i get that analysis Jess (or others) and how do I do it and what is cost.  it might be helpful to me in the future.  

I've seen oil analysis save more than a few engines (and lives). Can't hurt to know what's happening in there.

[Farther]

I've seen oil analysis save more than a few engines (and lives).

That's a little dramatic, care to elaborate?

[The Anvil]

I've seen oil analysis save more than a few engines (and lives).

That's a little dramatic, care to elaborate?

It's not "dramatic" at all, it's reality in my industry. Ever seen an airplane fall out of the sky? I assure you the danger to life is real.

Granted an engine failure on your bike is probably not gonna kill you, but it can indicate a small problem before it becomes a big one.

[John Schmidt]

Been using full synthetic for years, and been changing oil & filter at 5k intervals on everything. Had a couple GL1000 Wings with about 100k on one, approaching 200k on the second one before selling it, both ran like a clock. Full syn/filter at 5k. My wife's '94 Lexus runs like a top at 102k....full syn/filter at 5k. My previous '92 Wing was traded with fairly low mileage for the Valk, only had 65k on it. Full syn/filter at 5k. My last two vehicles other than my wife's car were a '96 Explorer traded with 102k for a used Toyota Highlander w/18k, traded at 55k for present '08 Highlander bought new. I haven't owned an oil burner since the day Mobil 1 became available. Everything is changed as close to 5k intervals as possible, but if I'm on the road I don't bother until I'm home, whether it's a bike or car. With the dino oil, it was 3k intervals...cheap insurance.

[GOOSE]

BOYS......I'M GLAD THAT'S OVER WITH. 

[Farther]

Ever seen an airplane fall out of the sky? I assure you the danger to life is real.

You'll have to excuse me, I thought we were talking about motorcycles.  And yes, I have seen airplanes fall out of the sky and helicopters too.

[fudgie]

     Still looking for advice, but i am thinking there is no reason to change before I leave.  I have some thoughts about changing in Sturgis where it looks like Amsoil is a sponsor and should be able to get that there.  i have no problem changing there as i can do it very quickly.  Thanks fudgie and Farther about places to go.  the main thing I would want is a place to get rid of old. That must not be a big problem at Sturgis.

 

Amsoil sets up on the south side of the west end of Lazelle St, which is a main drag. Exit 34 I believe. Out infront of JP Cycles, if my memory serves me right. Over by the Busted Knucle Saloon.

[Disco]

I am really thinking about just waiting and changing at end of trip and getting an oil analysis after going near the recommended miles by Honda.

I did that three times with Blackstone Labs after switching to full synthetic.  You'll get all the info you want/need to make future OCI decisions about your bike. 

In case you've never visited, check out http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/.  There is lots of great information there.

[NITRO]

Oil is kinda cheap compaired to lots of other stuff

Yes.  100,000 miles of Valkyrie ownership will consume $2,500 in tires and $9,900 in gasoline.  And for chrome lovers, the sky's the limit!

My last oil change cost $27.  Changing it every 4,000 miles instead of 8,000 adds $324 to the 100,000 mile cost of ownership.  I'll pay that as cheap insurance. 

I'd rather take that $324 and use it to burn about 90 gallons of gas through my cycle...

[The Anvil]

Ever seen an airplane fall out of the sky? I assure you the danger to life is real.

You'll have to excuse me, I thought we were talking about motorcycles.  And yes, I have seen airplanes fall out of the sky and helicopters too.

Engines are engines and the point was that oil analysis can be beneficial. In aviation it's beneficial enough to be required at annual or in program maintenance. You can translate this to motorcycles or not. Your choice.

[98valk]

cheap insurance is one of the funniest comments I have ever heard and is based on PURE emotion. No logical thought at all.

like the bearings are going to seize up if u go past 3k miles. too funny 
they're not going to seize up using honda's dino oil at 8k miles. Do u think honda wanted to replace engines during their 3 yr warranty and actually offered to warrant it for an additional 4 yrs all the while recomending the same oil change of 8k miles?
And most of u are using a much much better diesel oil or syn oil than the lower quality honda oil.

how many of u change out the headlight, brake bulbs every 6 months for cheap insurance? u never know when they will burn out.
when the tire tread gets half way worn from new, do u change them out, for cheap insurance in case one rides in the rain? half worn is not as safe in heavy rain downpours.

Frisco and myself have posted oil analysis and these engines do not wear. These are modern Honda engines using modern motor oils. They are not big american V-8s from the '60-70s using the oil from that time period and that were high revving w/lower quality metallurgy which worn out in 100k miles. These bikes are not your fathers oldsmobile. 

[The Anvil]

like the bearings are going to seize up if u go past 3k miles. too funny 
they're not going to seize up using honda's dino oil at 8k miles. Do u think honda wanted to replace engines during their 3 yr warranty and actually offered to warrant it for an additional 4 yrs all the while recomending the same oil change of 8k miles?
And most of u are using a much much better diesel oil or syn oil than the lower quality honda oil.

+1 

People can spend their money as they wish. I've had some people tell me that I change my oil too frequently. You've gotta look at it this way; with the exception of the owner, no one has a more vested interest in how well the oil protects the engine than the manufacturer of the engine. If the manufacturer says 7000 miles on dyno oil then it's probably perfectly safe.

[RP#62]

cheap insurance is one of the funniest comments I have ever heard and is based on PURE emotion. No logical thought at all.

like the bearings are going to seize up if u go past 3k miles. too funny 
they're not going to seize up using honda's dino oil at 8k miles. Do u think honda wanted to replace engines during their 3 yr warranty and actually offered to warrant it for an additional 4 yrs all the while recomending the same oil change of 8k miles?
And most of u are using a much much better diesel oil or syn oil than the lower quality honda oil.

how many of u change out the headlight, brake bulbs every 6 months for cheap insurance? u never know when they will burn out.
when the tire tread gets half way worn from new, do u change them out, for cheap insurance in case one rides in the rain? half worn is not as safe in heavy rain downpours.

Frisco and myself have posted oil analysis and these engines do not wear. These are modern Honda engines using modern motor oils. They are not big american V-8s from the '60-70s using the oil from that time period and that were high revving w/lower quality metallurgy which worn out in 100k miles. These bikes are not your fathers oldsmobile. 

Finally.    We refer to such as emotional maintenance requirements - i.e. not based on logic, facts, in-service experience, testing, OEM recommendations, etc.   Replacing something because its easy to replace is not justification to replace it. 
-RP

[Ricky-D]

An oil analysis program is a good, although expensive program.

Truck companies (and fleet companies) use them to determine when the oil should be changed since oil changes for them are expensive, due to the large quantity of oil they need for a change. They want the last miles out of the oil they use.

For motorcycles an oil analysis is pretty much useless you have established a baseline for wear indicators. I doubt the anyone really uses the oil up to the end of the oil's useful life so that part of an oil analysis is never needed.

There are ranges for the different things you find in an oil analysis such as contaminants and the different wear metals but I think there would be a lot of confusion since the same oil serves the transmission also.

The oil rep I dealt with used to give me the bottles and the mailer tubes as an incentive to keep buying his oil and I did use them sometimes with my car oil but I let that stuff slide and I still have a half dozen or so of the bottles and mailers.

If you change the oil like most everyone I know which is around 4k miles there is no need to use oil analysis at all.

And you have to think about what you would do if you got a report that showed a problem, but the bike is still running "top gun".  I doubt anyone would do anything but just keep riding. Though it now would be "worried riding" every time you're on the bike!

Sometimes ignorance can really be bliss!

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