Rick448 Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 I plan to change the oil on both of my bikes but wondered if it is better to do this when I take them off the road for winter or wait until next year? Or doesn't it really make any difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregorious77 Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 nowdirty oil is bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilchicken0 Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 Given a choice of leaving new or old oil in an engine, I'd go for new, but in reality I doubt it matters if the oil is within it's life span Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanWinkle Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 Given a choice of leaving new or old oil in an engine, I'd go for new, but in reality I doubt it matters if the oil is within it's life span it always surprises me that something that has been there for millions of years underground now has a life span once we get our mitts on it.. .. Personally I wouldnt do an oil change if parking them up for the winter, nice fresh oil for next years bike riding.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorenzo Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I guess there's no certifiable right or wrong answer to this, but if you don't know the history of the oil that's in there at the moment, or if it's cheapo oil, I'd swap it earlier. The reason being is that cheap oil tends to contain a lot more bitumen than decent stuff, and this will separate off over time if it's just left, and bitumen isn't going to do any good for anything in your engine. Of course, if you were to run the bike up to full temperature once a fortnight and spin the tyres etc, this wouldn't be an issue. God forbid, you could even ride it?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumpy Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Leave it in, then drain and put some fresh oil in before you ride it next year. Eliminates any issue with running on oil that's been sat in the bike of months, if there is any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick448 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 God forbid, you could even ride it?! I never thought of that. I've done tens of thousands of miles all year round in the past. I am now in the position where I don't have to ride in the cold wet and shitty weather. So forgive me I'll choose not to if that's ok with you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorenzo Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I wasn't having a dig about the year round riding mate, I commute through winter and if I didn't have to, I wouldn't. That said, once every now and again for 30 minutes when it's not totally shit might not be such a bad thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick448 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Yeah I'll try to do that although I usually only keep one on the road all year round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyJim Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I always change the oil before the bike goes away for the winter. Fresh clean engine oil sitting in the bike for months doesn't do it any harm. But old, contaminated oil sitting in it for months isn't good for it. The engine oil absorbs a lot of waste and by-products from the combustion process; leaving those in contact with engine internals (eg bearing shell surfaces) can cause damage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilchicken0 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 it always surprises me that something that has been there for millions of years underground now has a life span once we get our mitts on it.. .. Personally I wouldnt do an oil change if parking them up for the winter, nice fresh oil for next years bike riding.. it sits underground as crude oil though and it doesn't get run through a bike gearbox. As I said I doubt there's much in it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdunc Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I always change the oil before the bike goes away for the winter. Fresh clean engine oil sitting in the bike for months doesn't do it any harm. But old, contaminated oil sitting in it for months isn't good for it. The engine oil absorbs a lot of waste and by-products from the combustion process; leaving those in contact with engine internals (eg bearing shell surfaces) can cause damage This is the biggest risk. Theoretically fresh oil is better, you can even oils designed specifically for vehicles that are being stored. Not an issue either way in reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BudgetBoy Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 I just pop out to the shed once a month and start the bike till its up to temp.. Serves a purpose. Fuel through carbs/Injectors Coolant gets moved about Engine oil gets moved about The warm engine will disperse condensation Keeps battery in check Then in the new year/season just change the oil, coolant to "Summer" coolant, lube things and clean bike,check tyres/brakes and you are good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendo Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Start it up and keep it idling in the garage all winter. Its the only way to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevieweavie Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 From the motorex website The first question that comes to mind when storing your bike for winter is ages old: change the oil now or wait until after the winter? MOTOREX recommends to always change the lubricant and filter prior to storing the motorcycle. This is because the used oil contains substances like acids, water and pollutants that can lead to corrosion inside the engine. Those who do not ride a lot can now carry out the yearly oil change, and those who do ride a lot and therefore need to change their oil several times per year can plan their oil changes ahead in good time. Winter bike storage guide here http://www.motorex.com/index.cfm?oid=1993&lang=en Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mahatma Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Buy cheapo oil and put new in when storing the bike,and put in quality oil when taking it out. Or just put in quality oil all round if you're flushed with cash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
braumeister Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 I change my oil in the summer so I don´t have this problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorenzo Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 I change my oil in the summer so I don´t have this problem If you ride all year round then it isn't a problem, no, but if it's sat for 4 months or so over winter, then the fact that you changed it over summer still doesn't answer the question of what should you do with oil in your bike over winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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