Have to be careful here, could start yet another flame-throwing oil thread.
I have never had an oil-related failure. And I don't recall ever seeing a thread on this site describing one. I have always changed my oil according to the manufacturer's mileage recommendations, but never for winter storage, despite living in snow territory most of my riding life. Don't sweat it VFR80025th, Honda has your back.
I had been curious about running oil for more than 1 season, so 2 seasons on the VFR and I sent a sample to Blackstone Labs, Fort Wayne Indiana.
They suggested I could run another season before the next oil change, maybe send another sample in October.
You need better sources. Oil is bad when it is bad, usually MUCH more time and miles than the manufacturer recommended intervals...if you have it tested. Measuring in seasons is as useful as measuring in how many ducks you ride by to perform oil changes... 🙂
I send a sarcasm sample out for testing every season to Derision Labs. Still concentrated and effective. Can probably go a couple seasons between testing.
The last several years, I usually did an oil and filter change as part of winterizing my bike (VFR for a few years and now my BMW). The Beemer got an oil change in late 2023, just before its annual hibernation. Come spring time, it was ready to rock. But I only put about 1,800 miles on it last year, so I let it go this time.
The manual says to change it every 6,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first. But I'm very reluctant to change it after less than a third of its recommended mileage, especially since few of those 1,800 miles were run very hard, and definitely not in adverse environmental conditions.
I'm probably going to let it go for now. I have new oil and another filter on the shelf ready to go. I'm going to have to replace the battery in my bike this spring, as it's on its way out, so I'll probably do the oil and filter change then, too. What the hell, it's only $100. :rolleyes:
I always replace my ducks when they become excessively sarcastic.
I'm conflicted. I ride a Duck. But my RC, as Honda's answer to Ducati in World Superbike, has always been call a duckhunter. Better check the garage to see if they're getting along.
I'm conflicted. I ride a Duck. But my RC, as Honda's answer to Ducati in World Superbike, has always been call a duckhunter. Better check the garage to see if they're getting along.
And it isn't even an RC... talk about a conflict.
Oh, the IRONY!
End of thread · 12 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 20 Apr 2025