General topics » Changing oil without filter

Is there any reason I can't simply change oil without changing the filter, right before putting the bike in storage for winter (planning ahead). My next service (by calendar) is May, 2024. I'd like to wait until the new riding season to have that service (the 6,000-mile) done, as opposed to doing it at the end of this season.

All I want to do is remove old oil without having to do the filter also, as all this will be done at the beginning of the season next year anyway. I'm also planning new Michelin PR 6 and would rather have them put on right before the new season than at the end of the current season, only to have the bike sit all winter.

So...would enough "old oil" contamination be eliminated by only changing the oil before winter, rather than oil + filter?

Never. Bad practice.

For the sake of a few pennies, always oil and filter together.

“You Know It Makes Sense” - to quote an old advert from half a century ago.

Zitat von Boxerboy55 im Beitrag #2

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Never. Bad practice.

For the sake of a few pennies, always oil and filter together.

“You Know It Makes Sense” - to quote an old advert from half a century ago.

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What's in the oil that's going to cause a problem? How long has the oil sat in your car or truck?

Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #4

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What's in the oil that's going to cause a problem? How long has the oil sat in your car or truck?

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I've done that 'half year service' pre winter oil change and you can unscrew the oil filter, leave it to drain a few hundred cc of oil and refit.

No issues with using the original rubber gasket if it was only tightened to the correct setting and the bevel oil is getting changed at those same times.

I have a few old rubber gaskets from earlier changes so I can re-use if the current one looks suspect but have never needed.

The last 4 years of covid restrictions and silly low mileages on all our vehicles we have hit the 1 or 2 years well before any mileage specific oil changes.

The two bmw cars in household are "only change oil at 2 years/specified mileage/computer will tell you" type services, also brake fluid etc in the cars diagnostics.

Should I panic about the residual oil that never gets removed on any change - could be 3 or 4 years old by the next oil service? (No!)

I think it was Ducati who realised many of their owners schedules were for 2 year fork oil etc and the same Ohlins units on Yamaha were mileage relevant so I think the old oils will survive a while.

Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #6

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it really is not necessary to change the oil for winter - I think you misunderstand the analogy by @Mr. 36654 about cars, many of which are on 2 year service intervals.

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I rarely start our bikes in the winter so it doesn't matter what I do. The old or new oil is just sitting in the sump.

Well...this is good info...and thank you all for sharing your knowledge. If I read this correctly, there would be no harm in letting the oil sit over the winter, and then have my 6,000-mile service done in early spring next year, when the riding season is starting?

On some bike forums, guys can get fanatical about "you must change oil/filter for the winter, otherwise the contaminants from combustion by-products will corrode your engine", etc.

So really? No worries about oil with 5,000 miles on it causing engine corrosive-type damage?

Thank you!!

Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #11

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Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #10

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Well...this is good info...and thank you all for sharing your knowledge. If I read this correctly, there would be no harm in letting the oil sit over the winter, and then have my 6,000-mile service done in early spring next year, when the riding season is starting?

On some bike forums, guys can get fanatical about "you must change oil/filter for the winter, otherwise the contaminants from combustion by-products will corrode your engine", etc.

So really? No worries about oil with 5,000 miles on it causing engine corrosive-type damage?

Thank you!!

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precisely - the lubricants and fuel we use today have additives such as detergents that deal with the smaller quantity of combustion by-products produced by modern, efficient engines, so those are legacy practices from days when engines were grossly inefficient and used simpler fuel and lubricants.

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If I'm not mistaken DIY'ing the oil could void your warranty? When asking about this the Dealer said to maintain the 5yr extended warranty all regular maintenance and check-ups should be done with them.

Swapping tires, brakes or the battery and is ok (assuming one doesn't use an Alibaba battery and KO's the electronics) but anything to do with oils, filters, shaft drive, bearings, clearances etc. is Dealer and OEM parts dependent.

I remember a post from a little while ago (don't know if it was you BEARR) where someone got "ripped off" at the dealer for basic service at ~400 USD or something but my 600 mile one was a pleasant and quick experience and cost 'only' 178 EUR / 192 USD which is not something over which I'd go play with the warranties.

Could be different in the US of course.

Zitat von Valks im Beitrag #14

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If I'm not mistaken DIY'ing the oil could void your warranty? When asking about this the Dealer said to maintain the 5yr extended warranty all regular maintenance and check-ups should be done with them.

Swapping tires, brakes or the battery and is ok (assuming one doesn't use an Alibaba battery and KO's the electronics) but anything to do with oils, filters, shaft drive, bearings, clearances etc. is Dealer and OEM parts dependent.

I remember a post from a little while ago (don't know if it was you BEARR) where someone got "ripped off" at the dealer for basic service at ~400 USD or something but my 600 mile one was a pleasant and quick experience and cost 'only' 178 EUR / 192 USD which is not something over which I'd go play with the warranties.

Could be different in the US of course.

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