Total Motorcycle Community Forums

My understanding is that you are supposed to change the oil both when you park it for the winter and then again when you take it out of storage. maybe with synthetic you don't have to but i've been told to use dino in my bike (25 years old).

I wish I had a dual sport, I would be riding all year.

Where did this come from to change the oil in the fall on a bike?

Sounds like a marketing ploy left over from the boat shops to get you to "winterize" your equipment.

In a boat you change the lower unit grease before winter just in case the seals let in any water so the lower unit doesn't crack.

In a four stroke engine the temps get pretty high so any moisture in the oil will be boiled out as you ride. It is when it sits that oil will draw moisture so the best time to change the oil would be in the spring before you fire it up.

Fogging the cylinders to keep the rings from sticking is not a bad idea, but it may foul the plugs so I would wait on changing/cleaning the plugs till after you fire it up for the first time in spring.

The thought is keeping fresh oil in your engine and transmission will minimize the damage contaminated, dirty and acidic oil will do to your bike's internal parts.

Skier wrote:The thought is keeping fresh oil in your engine and transmission will minimize the damage contaminated, dirty and acidic oil will do to your bike's internal parts.

cept all the oil in the engine drains down to the pan so whats changing the oil gonna do except make you spend more money needlessly. If you change the oil your gonna have to start it back up again to get that good oil through there. Why not add something like seafoam to it before your last ride for the season? Then putting it away? Shouldnt the seafoam keep it "good enough" till spring when you should replace the oil before first start?

The problem is that as oil gets used and heated up it becomes more and more acidic. Which eats away the metal in your bike's engine. Which shortens your bike's lifespan. It's honestly better to change your oil before and after winter storage. It's fine to use the cheap stuff if you're just starting it up every once in a while through the winter, but make sure and toss in the good stuff before your ride in the spring!
Wrider

ofblong wrote:

Skier wrote:The thought is keeping fresh oil in your engine and transmission will minimize the damage contaminated, dirty and acidic oil will do to your bike's internal parts.

cept all the oil in the engine drains down to the pan so whats changing the oil gonna do except make you spend more money needlessly. If you change the oil your gonna have to start it back up again to get that good oil through there. Why not add something like seafoam to it before your last ride for the season? Then putting it away? Shouldnt the seafoam keep it "good enough" till spring when you should replace the oil before first start?

Oil will stay in various galleries and the top of cylinder heads all winter long. Not places where you want corrosion.

dr_bar wrote:Move to a warmer climate...

You beat me to it. You are sure welcome here in Texas.

Skier wrote:

ofblong wrote:

Skier wrote:The thought is keeping fresh oil in your engine and transmission will minimize the damage contaminated, dirty and acidic oil will do to your bike's internal parts.

cept all the oil in the engine drains down to the pan so whats changing the oil gonna do except make you spend more money needlessly. If you change the oil your gonna have to start it back up again to get that good oil through there. Why not add something like seafoam to it before your last ride for the season? Then putting it away? Shouldnt the seafoam keep it "good enough" till spring when you should replace the oil before first start?

Oil will stay in various galleries and the top of cylinder heads all winter long. Not places where you want corrosion.

ah ok.

waylander wrote:Anything I am missing?

Don't forget to pop the bike up on its center stand or a padock stand, when you're done, to take the weight off the tyres

Nibblet99 wrote:

waylander wrote:Anything I am missing?

Don't forget to pop the bike up on its center stand or a padock stand, when you're done, to take the weight off the tyres

lol only if your lucky enough to have one. I just use blocks myself.