Do you change your oil when storing your Rocket? [Another Oil Change Thread]

Let the debate continue. IMO no. its fine. fill it up with non-ethanol gas, put it on a maintainer air up the tires and forget about it!
BUT then this video comes out.

LOL BUMP

Ok going back to sleep now.

He didn't really say definitely either way. I ride year round, but with 3 bikes on the road they sometimes sit for a few months between rides in the winter. After 53 years of owning motorcycles and suffering no ill effects, I very happy with my annual spring oil changes. Yes if a bike reaches 4K to 5K miles during the warm riding season they do get changed again.

Idaho Red Rocket 3 said:

He didn't really say definitely either way. I ride year round, but with 3 bikes on the road they sometimes sit for a few months between rides in the winter. After 53 years of owning motorcycles and suffering no ill effects, I very happy with my annual spring oil changes. Yes if a bike reaches 4K to 5K miles during the warm riding season they do get changed again.

Click to expand...

same, but all of my motorcycles that hold oil get at least enough to have to do a change so they all get fresh oil when i start filling up with ethanol free for winter time / storage / riding
protip, very few motorcycles including the rocket are 4 to 5K oil life, more like 3 to 4 and in the case of my ninja, 2500

Short answer.... I really don't care.

If it is due because of mileage, I replace it. Otherwise it stays in the bike. I've never had an oil related issue storing the bike for the winter hibernation. I do use a premium motorcycle specific oil brand though. I have had the oil tested at the manufacturer's recommended oil change interval and it was still good to use... The riding climate in my home town is conducive to extending the oil change intervals. I typically run the oil in my bike to the recommended limit. Remember, a Rocket is no dirt bike so the oil remains generally free from outside contamination. You have to determine if the humidity is bad enough to warrant shorter oil drain intervals.

In the mine equipment field in one of the deepest base metal mines in the world I worked in for 37 years, we did extensive oil analysis testing. We found that with quality oil, we could extend oil life considerably by improving oil filtration using centrifical type filters (for engines to remove soot) and kidney loop filtration. Everthing on a loader or haul truck was extensively filtered improving component life dramatically. But this equipment didn't stop for any extended interval...