Originally Posted by Steelshoe
I ALWAYS fill the tank with fresh gas, treat it with Stabil, wash and detail the bike, jack it up to get the weight off the tires, and NORMALLY change the oil. This will be the first year I am thinking of skipping the oil change. The oil is CLEAN. The only concern I have is running it for TWO years without changing it. Is that (the two years) a concern? Every thing I've read says
change your oil according to mileage.......or....ONCE A YEAR. Why once a year if the oil is almost new, mileage wise? Does something happen to the oil after a year, or is this just a sales gimmick by the oil companies?
I know that filling the tank with fuel seems to be the recommendation but I don't buy it. The reason for it is due to the possibility of condensation but I believe, depending on the environment/area where one lives should also be factored in. My sled sits in the garage year around and my other is stored in my trailer in a huge shed.
Not once have I ever had a problem with condensation in either sled, nor atvs, nor dirt bikes. Imo, it is much better to add brand new fuel when the times comes rather than trying to burn up old stagnant fuel that has sat for an extended period of time.
With the use of Sea foam, it not only stabilizes but cleans as well. I have bottles of Stabil on my shelf that I haven't used in years. When fall comes and I fill up my sleds, they also get a dose of Sea Foam just in case their is a slight chance of moisture in the my tanks. Sea Foam will remove that as well.
As far as an annual oil change goes, it may be an old recommendation now but it is one I still follow. Many articles/info exist out there, as well as what's written in owners manuals and oil manufacturers info/guides that still recommend it so I continue to follow that recommendation/advice.
Here is one from a big article. There are others.
https://www.edmunds.com/car-care/when-should-you-change-your-oil.html
If you have a weekend car or put very low miles on your vehicle, you'll have to change your maintenance strategy a bit. Robert Sutherland, principal scientist at Pennzoil Passenger Car Engine Lubricants, says that over time, oil becomes contaminated by gases that blow by the pistons, and the longer the oil sits with that contamination, the more it degrades.