just wondering

[jimmyk]

How often do you change your oil?
  I run amsoil ,and was told I could wait longer between changes.
  Don't want to wait too long though ::) ???

[Rick G]

please excuse my typing i am one handed at the moment.
i change my oil and filter every 5000ks which is about 3000miles because oil is one heck of a lot cheaper than an engine rebuild.
my pile of junk car runs well on the used oil and has done for 10 years so far i just change the filter about twice a year.

[Phil Marvin]

Hi, Jimmyk,
    When I had K1100LT's and now when I have K75's, I change oil and filter annually or at 10k miles, whichever comes first.  I use Mobil 1 15w50 synthetic.  You should be able to get the same or better mileage out of Amsoil 20w50 synthetic.
Ride3 Safe,
Phil Marvin - El Paso, TX
'95 K75RTP
'94 K75A/3

[blakey]

I change my oil and filter every 5 thousand k's (not a daily driver as my employer provides a tintop).

My previous street bikes that I used every day were changed every 10 thousand k's.

Not wishing to start World War 3, but I have heard that regardless of what type of oil used (syn v "dino"), the Manufacturers recommended change intervals should still be observed.

That's why the car manufacturers' handbook mentions to change the filter and oil on a more regular basis (severe service) if the car is not driven very often or has a lot a short journeys.

[Scott_]

I'm still running the 20-50 dino and I usually change it when I'm ready to add the 2nd quart. This give me about 2 changes thru the year and a fresh change right before winter. I change the filter each time.

[HCorn]

I think the problem with following the manufacturer's recommendation is that when the manual was written (25 years ago, in the case of my K), the oils were very different.  In 1986, we were using SF oil.  Now it is up to SM.  Because oils have gotten better, that is also part of the reason they are getting thinner, intervals have gotten longer.  I would venture if the K75 was built today, BMW would be recommending 10w30 or similar. 

Be that as it may, some motorcycles get used very harshly.  Not meaning they are run hard, but even if you only put 2000 miles on per year, if the bike sits and you only take short trips, there may be a lot of condensation in the oil. 

I won't lose sleep if I go 5-6000 miles with good oil.  Even more with a quality synthetic.  But I'm always inclined to change the oil at least annually because it sits a bit during the winter.  Like others have said, oil is pretty cheap insurance.

[frankenduck]

Anybody ever heard of a K engine failing due to oil issues?  I haven't.

Mobil 1 15-50 every 10k miles.  Because it's easy to remember to change the oil every time the fifth digit clicks over.....

[Chaos]

Oil has come a long way since 1986.  My wife's 06 MPV recommends 5-20 year round!  I think my 25 yr old K is fine with fresh 10-40 Pennzoil and an AC Delco PF-53 filter every spring. Usually ride about 7-10K a year nowadays.  (i'm old and decrepit)

[Inge K.]

my 25 yr old K is fine with fresh 10-40 Pennzoil

A good choice, if most of your driving is during the winter season.

Inge K.

[Sonu]

Mobil 1 15-50 every 10k miles.

+1

[Chaos]

my 25 yr old K is fine with fresh 10-40 Pennzoil

A good choice, if most of your driving is during the winter season.

Inge K.

If the K was air cooled, oil cooled, had a wet clutch or ran hot and I pulled boat trailers, I'd use heavier or synthetic or specific oils.  But is essentially a car-like engine, I treat it like a car, and it just runs and runs and  and runs and runs and runs  and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runs and runsv and runs and runs and runs and runs.  ;D