Originally Posted By: ZZman
How many miles do you normally put on your oil before changing it or do you just do it once a year?
Since I put on 3,000-5,000 a year on my bike I usually just change it once a year.
I would say you are good with your schedule, assume you change the oil right before winter.
I change every 2500 to 3500 miles during the main warm weather riding season which would be 2 times a year but I change 3 times a year which includes one before winter change no matter what the mileage is or how much life is left in the present oil at this change, I only change the oil and not the filter because the filter at this point normally only has 2000 miles on it.
The reason I do the winter change is simply because I want fresh oil in for winter riding, can always get some warm weather riding time in where I live, then at other times the bike can sit for a couple weeks, also they are shorter trips for sure.
Bottom line, do to a mistake years ago by a company I order my oil from, I ended up with 8 gallons of oil for my bike, instead of the 4 gallons I ordered, so I have the luxury of keeping fresh oil in the engine.
BUT even so, I like the schedule I now do and works perfect 2 filters per year, 3 oil changes, again, 3rd change before start of winter, just oil, no filter because at that point, filter only has tops, 2000 miles on it and gets changed out with new filter and oil by May or so after winter.
Oil and filter change for my bike cost less then $23.