Best time to change engine oil?

[Perazzimx14]

Yup. I can’t worry about acids AND zddp. Mayonnaise is your enemy in the cold. So if you start it during the winter, ride it till it comes up to temp.

Getting the oil to "operating temp" is not always doable. Ever ride a air cooled bike when the mercury dips into the teens and twenties? My DR650 with oil cooler totally blocked will only see oil temps into the 150/180 range. The boxers are worse.

This is one of the reasons the "additives package" is used. While I'd agree starting the bike and letting it idle thinking you are doing good is bad. Starting the bike to go on a ride is good even if the oil doesn't get up to ideal operating temp.

[Ncdan]

I am always cautious when giving opinions or asking advice when it comes to motor oil issues in our bikes. However I’ve got to ask this one.
Without sending off your oil to be Analyzed, which I would not do because I don’t let my bikes go that many miles between changes, I use this method as a basic guide when it comes to the condition of my oil.
When I pull out the dip stick I visually exam the oil. It it’s still transparent, my thoughts is that it’s not overly Contaminated and will still lubricant and cool the motor effectively. If the oil is black I figure it’s really dirty and questionable whether it is still capable of doing as good of a job oil is demanded and required to do. Am I way off base with this thinking?
Please be gentle 😉

[bad Chad]

I think you are right on target.

[Perazzimx14]

I am always cautious when giving opinions or asking advice when it comes to motor oil issues in our bikes. However I’ve got to ask this one.
Without sending off your oil to be Analyzed, which I would not do because I don’t let my bikes go that many miles between changes, I use this method as a basic guide when it comes to the condition of my oil.
When I pull out the dip stick I visually exam the oil. It it’s still transparent, my thoughts is that it’s not overly Contaminated and will still lubricant and cool the motor effectively. If the oil is black I figure it’s really dirty and questionable whether it is still capable of doing as good of a job oil is demanded and required to do. Am I way off base with this thinking?
Please be gentle 😉

The color of the oil is no indication of state of condition the additives package is in or its ability to lubricate. If dark oil was the matrix for change diesels would be a lot less desirable.

[Ncdan]

The color of the oil is no indication of state of condition the additives package is in or its ability to lubricate. If dark oil was the matrix for change diesels would be a lot less desirable.

Fare educated answer but to clarify my statement. I said “transparent” which is clear somewhat, that’s not color like black is. Does this discrepancy change anything?

[DaveJT]

Fare educated answer but to clarify my statement. I said “transparent” which is clear somewhat, that’s not color like black is. Does this discrepancy change anything?

Well it does turn this into an “oil thread”. but other than that, no.

[Ncdan]

Well it does turn this into an “oil thread”. but other than that, no.

Lol, I think it already had, thanks for the opinion 👍

[Gappy]

I change the oil when the bike is cold. All the crap is in the bottom of the pan and hs not been stirred up. Every forth one the pan comes off and I change the filter and wipe everything clean.

[tazio]

Best time to change engine oil?
One of my bikes is an FLHXI Harley (nice enough bike with perfect fueling),
a few "Harley guys" told me to change oil when pressure gets too high (or was it too low?).
Don't know if there's something to that or not..
 I'll stick with 5k oil and filter, engine hot..