| Author | Message | ||
     Ferocity02 |
I was curious if you guys like to change your oil sooner than every 3000 miles... Seems to me that bikes probably get abused a little more than cars, run at higher RPM's, etc... Also, the oil filter is much smaller. I was thinking of changing the oil every 1500-2000 miles? Is this too often, or perhaps not often enough? Thanks! | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I change every 2k. I ride on the slightly harder side and its just easier to remember. 2k 4k 6k 8k 10k ect. If its even I change it. Its just not that expensive. its only 2.5 quarts. | ||
| Aj06bolt12r2 |
I do 2500 miles and use synthetic hd oil | ||
| Nik |
Buell says to do it every 5k. My Car revs higher than my Buell and it uses the exact same filter. (Message edited by nik on June 30, 2008) | ||
| Mr2shim |
2k is kind of extreme, waste of $$ IMO. My owners manual says 5k so I'll do it every 5k. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
2500 miles primary and crank case. Oil is cheap. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I try to do mine every 2500 as well. Especially the primary simply because of moisture that gets in there. | ||
| Irideabuell |
I split the difference and do every 4k. I change the primary oil every other oil change. | ||
| Leashrn |
Could one of you guys explain the difference between a 'primary' and 'crank case' oil change? It isn't like a car oil change, simple - just empty, remove old oil filter, fill and replace new oil filter, top up with new oil? Thanks | ||
| Evil_twin |
2.5K here, and I run Syn, also. Better safe than a grenade. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Crank case is the engine oil, primary is the transmission. | ||
| Etennuly |
I do the oil and filter at 3000 and the primary at 6000. | ||
| Jlnance |
It isn't like a car oil change, simple - just empty, remove old oil filter, fill and replace new oil filter, top up with new oil? It is, but just like a car, you occasionally have to change the oil in your transmission too. | ||
| 05mxdiesel |
4k on mine with Amsoil, both primary and crankcase. Oil analysis says it can go longer, but I'm happy with changing oil twice a year. | ||
| Tommy5144 |
ummm i do about every 2k miles too but i beat my bike to death | ||
| Zoedogg1 |
I do mine like every 10K...lol. No, every 2500 to 3000 is what I stay with. Just keep an eye on it in these hotter months. I change it more often then hotter it get and less the cooler it is. Depends I guess. | ||
| Xl1200r |
My owners manual says 5k so I'll do it every 5k. Same here. I also do the Primary every other oil change, or once a year. | ||
| Sped214 |
Wait... You're supposed to change the oil?! | ||
| Jlnance |
4k on mine with Amsoil, both primary and crankcase. Oil analysis says it can go longer, but I'm happy with changing oil twice a year. You've touched on something key. I suspect it matters how much time passes between oil changes, regardless of the mileage. If you're on a trip, it's not hard to put on 4k in a week. I bet that's a lot easier on the oil than doing 4k over 6 months. It would have a lot fewer warmups, and more time to dry off water. It's not just the mileage. | ||
| Frankfast |
If Buell says 5000 miles you can bet that is conservative. I think people that change oil every 2500 miles are wasting their money. If the oil is dark, that means it's working and not time for a change. I've bought motorcycles that I've drained gunk from the crankcase and still ran well. Changing oil frequently, and especially motorcycle specific brands, is a scam. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
Please don't allow my post to change this topic since the topic of "what oil do you use" has been beat to death. I started using Mobil 1 V-Twin on my first oil change so that I could get a few extra miles out of the oil. I changed it myself the first time so that I would know what it would take to do it. It's actually quite simple. Then I realized I was burning up a rear tire about every 4000-4500 miles, so I would buy my oil and filter and just bring it into the HD shop with my new rear and have it all done at the same time. I can't say that I have done much with the primary. Some say they run the same oil in their primary as their crankcase. I'm not sure if I should be following that advice if using Mobil 1 V-twin. What oil does the service manual recommend for the primary? What are you owners using? Thanks for the response. Mark Lawson Fargo, ND 2004 XB12s | ||
| Kurbennett |
I agree with Frankfast. the manual says oil every 5k and primary every 10k. I use a synthetic which is suppose to handle the abuse better than traditional oil. | ||
| Theirishbueller |
I still pay way too much $ to get bike serviced by the dealer at it's recommended intervals. got the 1k and 5k done, since I'm sitting at about 7200ish miles, I was thinking about changing just the oil around 7500. So without dropping the filter about how much oil will it take? and would it be that bad to mix the leftover filter oil (HD syn3) with some other oil I'll prob get (to avoid going to HD)? ...or I can just go get Syn3. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Irish- a) If you aren't going to change the filter then don't even bother with the rest. b) If the dealer changed the oil at 5km with Syn3, then you don't need to be changing it 2.5km later. c) Syn3 is proven and priced about the same as any other quality synthetic, so unless your dealer is forever away, I don't see any other reason to avoid it. Biff - stick to the recommended Formula+ primary case oil from HD. Folks have ahd stator issues when trying to use other oils. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Every second oil being used in your crank case it is losing its ability to lubricate your engine. It is breaking down. Its pH is changing. Its viscosity is changing. It is being filled with particulate contaminates(carbon, metal flakes, etc.). Changing the lubricant earlier simply means that the degree to which the ability has been diminished is less. You simply have to decide whether the difference between 2500 and 5000 miles is material. I don't know that it is, but I do know that it can't hurt. I don't know if the interval specified is for the "average" rider or someone who rides more "aggressively". If the interval was specified by HD based upon HD riding and HD models, I'd say that 5,000 miles is too long. If you do a track day, do you stick with the 5,000 mile interval? If you ride more aggressively than normal but less than track day, do you stick with the 5,000 mile interval? What happens if you do a lot of dirt roads, do you stick with the 5,000 mile interval? Exhaust mods/race kit/ECMSpy, do you stick with the 5,000 mile interval? It's just as silly to blindly stick with a specified interval without regard to how you are using your bike. The interval is for the "average rider". You have to decide whether or not you are "average" in your use. I don't know whether I am who Buell had in mind or if my use constitutes more aggressive use of their products. Just to be cautious, I change my oil a little earlier than specified in the manual. Might as well do the same for the primary while I'm at it. Keeps the mayonnaise away from my inspection covers. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"If the oil is dark, that means it's working and not time for a change." Absolutely true. I think everyone is convince it's not because of the frying pan example used in an oil advertisement years ago. 5k here. I do the primary then also just as a matter of course... mainly because I have everything out anyway. If you do yours sooner, more power to ya, but in 5,000 miles, my bike eats enough oil to have changed most of it itself anyway... | ||
| 05mxdiesel |
I agree with Ft Bstrd, but oil analysis should be used to find out what that intveral is and how long that certain lubricant will last. Everybody service use is totally different which is why I completely agree with him on that basis. } | ||
| Jcbikes |
I use dino (non-syn) oil which supposedly breaks down in these engine between 1,500 and 2,000 miles because of the heat. So I just change both at 1,500. If you use a syn then you could go longer but I would rather have cleaner oil in the engine more often, so thats why I go with dino oil. 22,000 miles of doing this and magnets on the drain plugs are clean every time. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I may change my oil a little more often than most but my history with vehicles proves to me its worth few extra dollars in the big scheme of things. I bought a vw rabbit with 64K and drove it to 320K, sold it to a neighbor who still drives it at 340K. I beat the piss out of that car. I also changed the oil every 3K. Geo tracker I bought with 22k. I lifted it and wheeled the crap out of it. I also drive it constantly up to the rev limiter. After rolling it three separate times off road I made a buggy out of it and that motor still runs like a champ. That engine has over 240K on it today. Still runs like new. I also change the oil every 2k on that rig because of the abuse. Olds Calais with 2.5 4 tech that we drove from 92K to 328K. I would have kept on driving that car but it was totaled by a family member who borrowed it. My wife’s Saturn we bought new. It has an oil light that tells you when it’s optimal to change the oil. I felt uneasy about it but tried it anyway. At 70k the piston rings got so gummed up it started burning oil. It’s out of warrantee and now it’s my problem. I should have just stuck to my normal rigorous oil change intervals. I put turpentine down the spark plug holes and let it sit for a week while my wife was out of town on business. It worked and they did break loose. I have since gone back to my normal 3k on the car and it hasn’t happened since. That car now has 172K. I had never opened the motor on any of these vehicles with the exception of the rabbit because the timing belt broke and popped a valve. Bottom line, oil is cheap insurance if you plan on keeping what you drive long term. Any body who has ever met me will affirm that I drive the crap out of everything I own. Id consider 3K but no way 4 and 5K. I plan on owning this Buell for a long time and at the rate I’m going my estimated yearly mileage to be 10K or more. If I change it every 2K instead of every 5K it will cost me $100 more a year. | ||
| Bo_sox |
Before EVERY ride..................gotcha!!! |
