Oil change

[Gossamer3129]

Just wondering how many miles people are putting on there bikes before they are changing the oil? I'm not sure if I should change it just like my car every 3,000 miles or not.

[Diego]

> Just wondering how many miles people are putting on there bikes before they are changing the oil? I'm not sure if I should change it just like my car every 3,000 miles or not.

You must really love the oil companies and their stockholders. Not very many cars really need oil changes that often.

Triumph says up to a year or up to 10,000 miles on this bike, whichever comes first. It's a big engine that loafs along, and the recommended oil can hold up to it in normal service.

A lot of Rocketeers like to be a bit more lively with theirs, and therefore change their oil more often...some at 5 to 6 thousand miles, and others if they notice the shifting getting a little less smooth.

But only the most superstitious would dream of every 3000 miles. :-D

[HOTRODSRJ]

Yep.. the oil company marketing idiots are hard at you convincing you that you NEED to change every 3000 miles! Even with your autos.. the true R&D engineers tell you every 7000 to 9000 miles!

Simple truth is ... and this is especially with synthetics... oil can easily go 12K now and still have the oil completely functional and within factory specs. I run all my autos at least 12K and sometimes 15K and all the oil that I have tested after these stints is fine!

Today's synthetics will provide better lubrication, higher performance temperature wise, and is very stable chemically.

Just say no to 3000 mile oil changes....even with the conventional stuff.

[Gossamer3129]

Thanks for the imput. I knew synthetics wore alot better just wasn't sure just how long.

[Gossamer3129]

Has anyone tried any other different kind of oil? I know my son in law has been using the lucas oil and say's it's great but I have not heard of anybody else using it.

[Diego]

Oil threads are the bane of these forums. Yes, you can use types other than the Triumph branded one. Some folks use Mobil 1 non-Triumph motorcycle oil, some use the Mobil 1 automotive version, a great many use Amsoil, a few use Shell Rotella, and there are others. Let's pretty much let it go at that.

Any synthetic of the recommended weight, preferably without the "energy conserving" seal on the cap (certain friction modifiers may eventually cause problems with wet clutches), should be fine. No one brand of oil has magic properties. Most any reputable brand of the same specs will do as well as another.