Oil Change Opinions

[coloktmGS]

I have an '05 1200GS. I had the 600 mile service done, now have 2700 miles on the bike. I'm heading to Sturgis sat (approx 400 miles each way). The dealer I bought the bike from can't get me in to do the 3000 mile service (an oil change they say). The other dealer in town can get me in...would you take it in for the change, maybe pissing off my main dealer, or wait until 3700 miles?

One other question...any warranty or other problems with sayin screw both of 'em and doing it myself?

[Bfish]

#1-learn to do it yourself...piece of cake
#2-3700mi is fine for the next oil change.

[BubbaZanetti]

I have an '05 1200GS. I had the 600 mile service done, now have 2700 miles on the bike. I'm heading to Sturgis sat (approx 400 miles each way). The dealer I bought the bike from can't get me in to do the 3000 mile service (an oil change they say). The other dealer in town can get me in...would you take it in for the change, maybe pissing off my main dealer, or wait until 3700 miles?

One other question...any warranty or other problems with sayin screw both of 'em and doing it myself?


the oil was changed at the 600 mile serivce, right?? i'd say wait and take it to the guy you've been using, you'll only "technically" be 100 miles past the 3000K mark at that point. since i've switched to synthetic, i'm doing 5K intervals

[AntonLargiader]

The dealer I bought the bike from can't get me in to do the 3000 mile service (an oil change they say).
There's a 3000 mile service? I've never heard that before. Hmm.

[Cliffy777]

ditto on the above. 3k service? i am riding my 3rd oilhead and they all had 600 mile and then 6k service. either way, i sure would not worry about your oil change, 3700 would be no biggie IMO.

[shoeman]

Do your own at 6000 miles. keep the receipts for the oil and filter and it will not affect your warranty.( federal law- I think it was the Magnuson Moss act)

[lkchris]

If your dealer "can't get you in," why would he be po'd if you went elsewhere?

Yes, I know it's not paranoia if they really are out to get you, but ... .

[dano]

Change the oil yourself if the dealer "can't get you in" for a simple oil / filter change.

BTW: I'm using MOBIL 1 15w/50 in the engine of my '03RT and my oil / filter changes are now done every 5K miles. :thumb

[RTdavey]

dano -
How many miles on your RT.?
Whwn did you change over to syn. ?
Why not 20/50 ?

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Just change the filter and oil yourself for sure, just save the receipts as was already suggested. I bought a filter wrench from the dealer for $16 and I just buy cases of oil for about $3.90 each quart of BMW 20/50. After reading some stuff on the Iron Butt site I learned that a lot of those guys change their filters each 6K but their oil more frequently and just replace the crush washer.

I use a magnetic oil drain plug and I see no metallic debris now by changing filter every 3500 and oil at 1500 when in town and higher when riding interstate. It appears that nobody has a real answer...as many sites as you read there will be a new expert with evidence to suggest something new. At worst follow the warranty recommendations, at best change according to the oil color and your gut feel as to how hard you have been working the motor etc.

Just save all the receipts and make sure the oil is compatible with factory recommendations for warrant otherwise the savings per quart of oil will be eaten up on the first motor rebuild as a result of cancelled warranty.

Just an opinion is all, not right or wrong. :bolt