Oil change question, not what kind of oil. :)

[elvis]

Hello All,

Just looking for thoughts.

New '22 GSA, purchased in Oct. '23. I did first oil, filter and final drive fluid at mileage 601. Then basically is being parked until Spring. I took it out for a New Years Day ride but due to living in New Hampshire, salt and such on roads, it pretty much is parked until roads are cleaned up a bit which could be late March or so.

My question is: Would you change the oil, filter again in Spring or run it until it needs it by mileage?

Just looking for opinions.
Thanks in advance.
DS

 

[globalrider]

Don't start it when it is being stored unless you take it out for a very long ride.

 

[Omega Man]

You didn’t mention where the bike is/was stored. If in a climate controlled environment such as a heated building/attached garage- I wouldn’t be concerned.
If stored outside, covered and subject to the temperature inversions that spring can bring, like the kind of temperature swing that causes the heavier parts of the bike to “sweat“- maybe.
I find any accumulated moisture, enough to be concerned about, will/would give oil- or hydraulic fluid, a milky appearance.
If the fresh oil from the fall still looks good in the spring, chances are, the oil is still good.
Down here in Mass, with way too many engines, I haven’t found over-wintering oil to be a concern……but I still keep an eye on the oil.
OM

 

[elvis]

You didn’t mention where the bike is/was stored. If in a climate controlled environment such as a heated building/attached garage- I wouldn’t be concerned.
If stored outside, covered and subject to the temperature inversions that spring can bring, like the kind of temperature swing that causes the heavier parts of the bike to “sweat“- maybe.
I find any accumulated moisture, enough to be concerned about, will/would give oil- or hydraulic fluid, a milky appearance.
If the fresh oil from the fall still looks good in the spring, chances are, the oil is still good.
Down here in Mass, with way too many engines, I haven’t found over-wintering oil to be a concern……but I still keep an eye on the oil.
OM

OM,
I'm in southern NH, so not sub zero temps and it's parked inside our attached garage on a tender. Temps in the garage vary from 50 to 55.
Thanks for responding.
DS

 

[Omega Man]

OM,
I'm in southern NH, so not sub zero temps and it's parked inside our attached garage on a tender. Temps in the garage vary from 50 to 55.
Thanks for responding.
DS

Nice.
I should be so lucky to have that kind of care!
Your bike should be very happy, and just fine.
Ride safe.
OM

 

[lee]

I find any accumulated moisture, enough to be concerned about, will/would give oil- or hydraulic fluid, a milky appearance.
If the fresh oil from the fall still looks good in the spring, chances are, the oil is still good

The oil site glass makes it easy to see the condition of the oil.

 

[tenequip]

If the bike has been stored in a heated garage, it should be fine to ride it until the mileage says, it’s time to change the oil.
Tenequip

 

[rich]

Elvis, your oil is going to be just fine. Run it to the next scheduled oil change.

I remember years ago opening my backyard shed door to find my motorcycle covered with frost. It was a warm winter day with the sun beating down on the shed. I knew then I'd never park another motorcycle in that shed over our cold winters. But over time I realized it's not the unheated shed, but the uninsulated shed that caused the issue. With insulation you won't have the temperature swings that cause the sweat/frost. I now store my bikes in our main insulated garage and never have any sweating issues. Don't think you need to have a heated garage to store your motorcycles.

 

[elvis]

Thank you all for the replies, I appreciate them. I'm going to wait until the next mileage oil change.

Thanks again.

 

[collingsbob]

My bikes spend the winter in an unheated garage, on battery tenders, covered loosely. Temps here used to get to -40c.. When spring arrives I wait for a rain to wash the salt & gravel off the roads, then ride the bike for a month or so..then I change the oil.