My bike is ridden on a regular basis year-round, but with many frequent short trips. I am currently changing at 4-6 months intervals (approx every 200 to 300 miles).
It seems like I am wasting $ as the oil has low miles on it, but the oil sometimes does seem ‘watery’ when drained. There is no coolant leaking into the oil that can be observed. (There is no change in the coolant reservoir level) So I am assuming that it is all of the condensation that doesn’t get burned off from proper warm-up.
Have searched the forums and seen many folks changing it once a year in the fall before winter storage, but this is different as I ride year-round here in Florida, with many short trips. And the watery nature of the oil when it is changed is a little unnerving.
1) I’ve been using the 4-6 month interval for some time with no problems and would welcome comments on extending the interval to 10-12 months.
2) Is the watery nature of the oil cause for concern? Should I instead be changing it more frequently?
Thank you for reading this!
Details:
1989 Honda HawkGT NT650 (Water cooled 650cc V-Twin)
600 miles/year, ridden year-round
South Florida temperatures
80% short trips of ~1.3 miles
Fill: AnyMajorBrand Dino 15W-40 (currently Castrol Tection) and OEM Honda Filter
Wet Clutch/Shared Sump with gearbox
2.5 quarts are changed out each time with the filter (2.9Q total system capacity)
Honda recommendations: 10w40 or 20w50, 8000 mile oil & filter change interval, with no mention of time (hence why I am asking this question).
It seems like I am wasting $ as the oil has low miles on it, but the oil sometimes does seem ‘watery’ when drained. There is no coolant leaking into the oil that can be observed. (There is no change in the coolant reservoir level) So I am assuming that it is all of the condensation that doesn’t get burned off from proper warm-up.
Have searched the forums and seen many folks changing it once a year in the fall before winter storage, but this is different as I ride year-round here in Florida, with many short trips. And the watery nature of the oil when it is changed is a little unnerving.
1) I’ve been using the 4-6 month interval for some time with no problems and would welcome comments on extending the interval to 10-12 months.
2) Is the watery nature of the oil cause for concern? Should I instead be changing it more frequently?
Thank you for reading this!
Details:
1989 Honda HawkGT NT650 (Water cooled 650cc V-Twin)
600 miles/year, ridden year-round
South Florida temperatures
80% short trips of ~1.3 miles
Fill: AnyMajorBrand Dino 15W-40 (currently Castrol Tection) and OEM Honda Filter
Wet Clutch/Shared Sump with gearbox
2.5 quarts are changed out each time with the filter (2.9Q total system capacity)
Honda recommendations: 10w40 or 20w50, 8000 mile oil & filter change interval, with no mention of time (hence why I am asking this question).