Oil

holty · 03-07-2022, 12:54 PM

I’ve not used the Monster much of late and properly only covered a few hundred miles over the last three years. When I do go out on dry sunny days it’s usually for 100 mile rides & no short journeys. Observing the oil in the sight glass it looks lovely and pink with no contamination or milky oil.
Do I really need to change the oil because of age not mileage? The oil makers say that oil stays in grade up to five years. I am running the bike on Motul fully synthetic motorcycle oil, and the bike is kept in a garage. Thoughts please

350TSS · 03-07-2022, 01:49 PM

Not a lubrication expert (or any other kind of expert) but I would think if it hasn't changed colour it hasn't changed composition materially. If it was mine I would wait until the mileage actually warranted a change.

alan s4 · 04-07-2022, 11:32 AM

Yikes! So no oil change or service for 3 years.....some folk have kittens if you don't do the belts every 2 years. For the sake of 50 quid I would be changing the oil and filter for peace of mind. It's not really worth the risk is it.

Also, would you ever buy a bike that hadn't been serviced (let alone had an oil change) in 3 years?

Kato · 04-07-2022, 01:14 PM

Over time, petroleum-based oils began to oxidize and create sludge, leaving damaging residue inside the engine --- However

Synthetic oil does not, so I would say if you've not used the bike and you have Synthetic oil in it why waste your money

holty · 04-07-2022, 08:59 PM

That’s what I thought Kato. Also regarding the belts, I have checked mine and to be honest they look fine, the modern belt type should go for five years. I don’t see the point of servicing if it’s not being used. If and when I get my biking mojo back then I will have a full belt service.

03-07-2022, 12:54 PM	#1
holty Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Glastonbury Bike: M1100 Posts: 96	Oil I’ve not used the Monster much of late and properly only covered a few hundred miles over the last three years. When I do go out on dry sunny days it’s usually for 100 mile rides & no short journeys. Observing the oil in the sight glass it looks lovely and pink with no contamination or milky oil. Do I really need to change the oil because of age not mileage? The oil makers say that oil stays in grade up to five years. I am running the bike on Motul fully synthetic motorcycle oil, and the bike is kept in a garage. Thoughts please

04-07-2022, 01:14 PM	#4
Kato Dismantled Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East Molesey Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,247	Over time, petroleum-based oils began to oxidize and create sludge, leaving damaging residue inside the engine --- However Synthetic oil does not, so I would say if you've not used the bike and you have Synthetic oil in it why waste your money __________________ "Political correctness is just intellectual colonialism and psychological fascism for the creation of thought crime"

03-07-2022, 01:49 PM	#2
350TSS Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Shipbourne Bike: M900 Posts: 1,422	Not a lubrication expert (or any other kind of expert) but I would think if it hasn't changed colour it hasn't changed composition materially. If it was mine I would wait until the mileage actually warranted a change.

04-07-2022, 11:32 AM	#3
alan s4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Glasgow Bike: S4 challenge Posts: 447	Yikes! So no oil change or service for 3 years.....some folk have kittens if you don't do the belts every 2 years. For the sake of 50 quid I would be changing the oil and filter for peace of mind. It's not really worth the risk is it. Also, would you ever buy a bike that hadn't been serviced (let alone had an oil change) in 3 years?

04-07-2022, 08:59 PM	#5
holty Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Glastonbury Bike: M1100 Posts: 96	That’s what I thought Kato. Also regarding the belts, I have checked mine and to be honest they look fine, the modern belt type should go for five years. I don’t see the point of servicing if it’s not being used. If and when I get my biking mojo back then I will have a full belt service.