Then what's the point of having a forum?

 

For all the non basics that aren't already coverd in the manual. Honda says every 7500miles. Thats insane, I'll never go that long. I do it every 3000 with dino oil, I might extend that to 5-6000 with synthetic but the filter would still get changed at 3k.

 

I was being sarcastic. Telling a guy to RTFM doesn't sound too inviting and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see much of the guy anymore if he get's that kind of response.

 

I change mine every 3-4k miles. I also change it anytime the bike sits more than 5-6 weeks.

 

sorry i should have added to also use the search function... already a million threads on oil.

 

I have never heard this one before. Ever see an expiration date on a bottle of oil???????

Oil breaks down due to the heat of the motor running. If the bike is just sitting then there is not a heat source to break it down. The reason it is common practice to change the oil every 3K or every 3months(which ever comes first) is because the manufacturers do not know your driving conditions. If you live in the city you do a lot of stop and go driving the motor racks up hours due to stop lights/signs and etc...you will probably reach 3months first. If you drive on the highway most of the time then you will hit 3K.

conventional oil needs to be changed more often than a synthetic oil due to the molecular properties it has.

So, due to the variables involved only the rider can determine what is right for them.

 

Yes sir. The process starts once the oil has been run in an engine. This is why the manufacturer also states that used oil is a known carcinogen.

3k or 3 months is old practice perpetuated by the oil industry. Hardly any vehicle manufacturer still recommends this in their owners manual. It used to be that oils and fuels would cause gum deposits on the engine internals. Changing oil more frequently would aleviate the problem.

Less discussed is the problem of pH levels of the oil. When new it is slightly more alkaline than the metallurgist would like. When it's run about part way through it's lifespan the pH is in the proper range. This is one of the reasons the street rider shouldn't use race oils. Racers change oil more frequently.

 

With todays synthetic oils its more about the addatives packages degrading then it is the oil itself, along with the contaminates that the filter can't remove building up.