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[evodistraction]

My job requires I travel quite a bit and therefore I have limited time to ride  couple that with the fact that I live in the Mid-West and have a relatively short riding season (at least for me!) and the result is that I don't put many miles on my 2013 SERK. So here's my questions:

1. Does it really matter how long the oil is in the engine?

2. If it does matter then how long between oil changes regardless of mileage?

You guys are all great and I really appreciate your advice!

Evo

[deldago]

I have always followed the once a year before winter recommendation. Getting the old oil out which is full of acids from the combustion process before a long layup is important and I do it with all the toys that sit for any length of time. Unfortunately I don't have time to ride more than 5000 a year.

[Midnight Rider]

My job requires I travel quite a bit and therefore I have limited time to ride  couple that with the fact that I live in the Mid-West and have a relatively short riding season (at least for me!) and the result is that I don't put many miles on my 2013 SERK. So here's my questions:

1. Does it really matter how long the oil is in the engine?

2. If it does matter then how long between oil changes regardless of mileage?

You guys are all great and I really appreciate your advice!

Evo

As long as you ride it long enough each time you ride to get the engine up to full operating temperature (generally 20 minutes of riding) I would not concern myself with oil contaminants.  Today's modern oils have additives that neutralize the acids produced by the combustion process.  However, once I did my last ride of the season and was going to store the bike for 3 or more months, I'd change the oil when I parked it the last time.  Do NOT crank the bike up and let it idle when in storage...that creates more problems than it solves.