Do I Really Have To Change My Oil Every Year?

[Motorcycle.com]

Dear MOby,

I just saw your answer regards oil change. My manual says that I need to change oil every 3000 miles. But I only ride about 1000 miles per year (very short commute). By the book, I need to perform oil change every three years. Do I really need to change oil every year? Is it okay to change oil every three years, just because I don’t ride that much?

Thank you
Jay

PS: Just to make myself comfortable, I do oil change once a year.

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[Snowy]

YES!
What is the cost of an oil filter? £10 or less?
I drop oil every six months or 4k miles, and filter every other service.
Think about what it does, whether the bike is used or not oil degrades, peace of mind is paramount!
You kinda answered your own question really........................ PS: Just to make myself comfortable, I do oil change once a year.

Ride safe.

[T-J]

I couldn't agree more with Snowy, whatever car or bike l have l always change the oil and filter at least once a year. I am in process of buying used 800 GT, see other posts, but my v Strom l had from new 5 years old less than 7000 miles in total, oil and filter changed every year. To me, anything else is false economy. Use the best oil of correct grade and either manufacturers filter or at least a well known brand. Far cheaper than engine problems due to poor lubrication. Be safe.

[Richard230]

I change my car's oil once a year and the filter every other year - or after driving 300 miles, but so far the yearly time has prevailed. After 19 years my car is still running, so I guess changing oil once a year is OK.

[T-J]

I change my car's oil once a year and the filter every other year - or after driving 300 miles, but so far the yearly time has prevailed. After 19 years my car is still running, so I guess changing oil once a year is OK.

300 miles? Do you mean 3000 Richard?

[Richard230]

300 miles? Do you mean 3000 Richard?

No. I mean 300 miles. That is about all the mileage that I drive my car in a year. My Zero electric motorcycle has replaced my car for all of my trips under 100 miles in length and I use my motorcycles for longer trips. I only drive my car if I have to carry a passenger or something too large to fit on one of my motorcycles. I just have this issue with driving a car. I find it so boring that I tend to fall asleep while driving. Wouldn't you when driving a 1999 Saturn station wagon?

[Nagy Florian]

The oil must change 1 a year or: 6000 km if you ride short distances (for example: in the city, off road etc) and 10.000 km in you ride long distances (traveling across the country, etc. )

[TelemarkTumalo]

YES!....
I drop oil every six months or 4k miles, and filter every other service.....

I've often wondered about the thought processing about changing an oil but not the filter. It seems to me that putting clean oil through a dirty filter, immediately contaminates the new oil.
FWIW, I always change both at the same time and on my BMW bikes, follow the recs. for every 6000 miles. I've used a less scientific approach to changing by time, as I've put more than 6000 miles/year on the bikes.