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How long can oil stay in the bike?
- Thread starter barry5k
- Start date
toooldtocare
Active member
I think this depends upon where you are at as much as how many miles on it. Back here with our temperature swings it needs to be changed more often simply due to the moisture condensing in the motor during those swings. That said, I still would change it at least once a year no matter where I was at. A few years ago I was driving BMW cars, and mine did not get many miles on it each year, but the dealer still insisted on changing the oil once a year (they were paying for it under the BMW new car service program). Hope this helps.
Wayne
Wayne
The factory service schedule calls for at least annually but is extremely conservative.
The reality is that modern oils, especially true synthetics, do an exceptionally good job at neutralizing combustion acids and are equally good at handling typical amounts of moisture.
The only circumstance in which I ever saw an oil being clearly overloaded with water vapor was on a rotary engine race car running massive boost. Between the high rev/high temp/extreme shear created and the ambient humidity, some bits of oil showing characteristic milkiness from water accumulated around various motor vents and line.
In the real world, you can leave your bike for a couple years or even more without acquiring engine damage. Worry less..
The reality is that modern oils, especially true synthetics, do an exceptionally good job at neutralizing combustion acids and are equally good at handling typical amounts of moisture.
The only circumstance in which I ever saw an oil being clearly overloaded with water vapor was on a rotary engine race car running massive boost. Between the high rev/high temp/extreme shear created and the ambient humidity, some bits of oil showing characteristic milkiness from water accumulated around various motor vents and line.
In the real world, you can leave your bike for a couple years or even more without acquiring engine damage. Worry less..
bikerfish1100
New member
3K mile change is a TOTAL waste of resources- time, money and oil.
40 years ago with an airhead this probably made some sense. With a modern bike and modern oils, it makes none.
osbornk
Old man in the mountains
I think the answer depends on how the 3,000 miles were put on the bike. If it was short trips, you will have moisture in the oil because the oil did not get hot enough long enough to evaporate the moisture out of the oil and I would change it annually. If it was mostly longer trips, the oil should be moisture free and the time is not as much of an issue and I wouldn't worry about it.
What a waste.
wyman.winn
i should be out riding!
if the motor was put away hot....like after a 50+ mile ride i would not worry about it....and i would only change the oil about every 6000 mile or so.....BUT, if the motor was put away cold....like a warm up in the garage or very short rides, i would change it before letting it sit for too long....moisture (turns to acids) from not cold/short runs will ruin the motor if not evaporated out of the oil...
wyman
JDOCKERY132445
OldBMWMaster
It is all good
I bought a bike on ebay that was in Atlanta, K100RS. .I hitched a ride to get it. Inflated the old cracked tires, put a new battery in it and rode it home to Wilmington, NC. I did a complete service after I got home. No damage.
I bought a bike on ebay that was in Atlanta, K100RS. .I hitched a ride to get it. Inflated the old cracked tires, put a new battery in it and rode it home to Wilmington, NC. I did a complete service after I got home. No damage.
JDOCKERY132445
OldBMWMaster
GregoryT
BMW is Boxer-Boxer is BMW
Oil change.
I totally agree, all my vehicles with synthetic and mineral oil get the change at every 3K miles, (the ONLY exception I make is if I travel from coast to coast - then I change it at 6K).
Some people say that this is a waste, what waste?
Used oil is recycled and reused.
I totally agree, all my vehicles with synthetic and mineral oil get the change at every 3K miles, (the ONLY exception I make is if I travel from coast to coast - then I change it at 6K).
Some people say that this is a waste, what waste?
Used oil is recycled and reused.
GregoryT
BMW is Boxer-Boxer is BMW
Frequent oil change.
This is the reason why I change my oil frequently.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_sludge
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/automobiles/04SLUDGE.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
This is the reason why I change my oil frequently.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_sludge
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/automobiles/04SLUDGE.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
Using Wikipedia and the New York Times for advice on motorcycle maintenance is kinda like relying on Paula Dean for advice on healthy eating.
pffog
Small road corner junkie
What waste, $$ for sure. When Mobile 1 first hit the market in the 70's they recommended 25K oil changes. They were probably correct, but the claim seemed so outrageous at the time they lost credibility.
I change mine every 6-8K, but in reality that is probably too often. I retired several Saab turbos that were modded to push 150-200% of stock boost (300Hp and 280-300 ft lbs Torque out of a 2 liter) at over 300k Miles, motors were still good, but rust killed the cars. BTW I changed the oil about every 15k, even with the turbo glowing red frequently.
pglaves
#13338
Look at your owners manual or maintenance manual. BMW recommends an oil change at each 6,000 mile minor service and again at each 12,000 mile major service. That is a 6,000 mile interval for normal service. Last I looked they also recommend at least once a year. For "severe service" which is winter cold weather riding, short trips where the engine seldom or never gets fully warmed up, or for extremely dusty conditions they recommend that the 6,000 mile interval be cut in half.
Those recommendations are based on the specified oil which is (except for the very latest models) API SG or SH rated oil (dino or synthetic - they don't say which) in viscosities based on a chart which almost always indicates 20w50 or 10w40 depending on temperature.
I just summarized the recommendations/specifications for about 20 different models spread over 40 or so years, so for your specific bike - look it up.
That said, changing at 3,000 miles is twice as often as BMW says is needed unless your use of the bike constitutes "severe service" as defined by BMW.
Those recommendations are based on the specified oil which is (except for the very latest models) API SG or SH rated oil (dino or synthetic - they don't say which) in viscosities based on a chart which almost always indicates 20w50 or 10w40 depending on temperature.
I just summarized the recommendations/specifications for about 20 different models spread over 40 or so years, so for your specific bike - look it up.
That said, changing at 3,000 miles is twice as often as BMW says is needed unless your use of the bike constitutes "severe service" as defined by BMW.
GregoryT
BMW is Boxer-Boxer is BMW
What is "severe service"?
Good answer:
http://www.aftermarketsuppliers.org/Councils/Filter-Manufacturers-Council/TSBs-2/English/94-1R1.pdf
Good answer:
http://www.aftermarketsuppliers.org/Councils/Filter-Manufacturers-Council/TSBs-2/English/94-1R1.pdf
Except it is from the filter mfgs and the oil guys
some good points, but I know when I have been in severe mode and act accordingly
