Cost of Oil and Filters

[20774]

I think we've shown that, on paper, there are filters that appear to be stock, at least that's what the manufacturer will and has stated. The only thing that we really have to go on is field experience...what works and what doesn't. Have we heard from all owners on their experience? I doubt it, by a long shot...and we'll never get that kind of feedback. But it would be very safe to say that most Airhead owners rely on OEM filters, either from their dealer or from bonafide suppliers via the web. By illogical extension from that assumption, the OEM filter is the way to go.

In the end, it's your gut. If you feel comfortable saving a few dollars once a year, then that's your choice. IMO, there are better places to find savings.

 

[jad01]

The MOA Owners News did a survey in the late 70ÔÇÖs on average miles traveled each year by members. The last such survey to include airheads exclusively. The results were that the average member - rider piled up a butt-numbing 5000 miles per year. A 70ÔÇÖs model airhead has a factory specified 5000 mile service interval for oil and filter changes. That means in one year, the average owner needs one filter. My two questions are: why would anyone buy anything but the best filter available to use during that 12 month period and, why would anyone recommend anything but the correct factory filter for another persons engine especially if the only reason is because its cheap?

Amen- well stated.

 

[keelerb]

I agree with the above, but I wonder if the idea of changing the stock OEM filter every other oil change might not be sort of OK. Upside, you get the best filter and you can spread the cost out some. It also means less chance to burn yourself, eff-up the $2000 o-ring, etc. The downside is that you don't get the best filtration for the entire period and you miss a chance to inspect the filter pleats for unwanted pieces of debris.

Still, though, it's "penny-wise, pound foolish"...

Just a thought...

That's what I do. Change oil at 2,500 miles, with filter changed each second oil change. Redline 20W-50 motorcycle-specific oil. Pricey, but makes me feel I'm doing something good for the bike - so, worth it to me.

And by the way, the oil comes out looking hardly different than when new (only bike I can say that about) and the filters never have any appreciable debris in them.

 

[bikerfish1100]

That's what I do. Change oil at 2,500 miles, with filter changed each second oil change. Redline 20W-50 motorcycle-specific oil. Pricey, but makes me feel I'm doing something good for the bike - so, worth it to me.

And by the way, the oil comes out looking hardly different than when new (only bike I can say that about) and the filters never have any appreciable debris in them.

using an oil like Redline m/c specific, i would feel 100% okay extending change interval to 5K miles. Have Blackstone labs do an analysis for you, i'd bet it comes back perfectly okay/nearly as new at 2500, and probably not far off of that at 5K.
when BMW set change intervals at 2500-3000, there was no such thing as m/c specific, and synth had barely been on the market. (i remember putting some in on an experimental basis, synth was a brand new concept, and that was 1981)