Engine tune and frequency of oil changes
 

I'm hoping someone can enlighten me on the state of engine tune and its impact on oil change frequency.

Using my XTR for road use, I've been happy with an annual oil change. Since going off-road a little, I'm starting to look at alternative such as the KTM 250 EXC-F and the Yamaha WR250F.

However, I'm blown away by the fact that most riders of such bikes do an oil change every other ride or at least every 20 hours. I know these bikes are in a higher state of tune, and can rev higher, but does that really mean that an oil change is required every other ride rather than annually???

Leading on from that, would that suggest that if the XTR starts going off-road more, and being used perhaps a bit more aggressively, that one should also consider more frequent oil changes? Or is the XTR in such a laid-back state of tune that it really doesn't matter?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

One reason they require more frequent oil changes is that most off road bikes have a far smaller oil capacity than their dual-sport cousins. Of course it depends entirely on how and where you ride, particularly where water is involved! 20-25 hours does seem the norm though for most of folk I know who run with these sorts of bikes. Doesn't cost much though, as it only takes a paltry 1.4 litres and worth it for peace of mind.

Again, depends on how and where you ride. The bigger oil capacity of the XT and lower state of tune/revs will mean it'll go a lot further/longer, but I'd still be tempted to change it more often than once a year. Maybe twice, three times a year? Any chance you think you might have got water in there, then drop the oil though. Also depends on how many miles you do in between the off-road stints too.

I do mine twice a year on average (one with a filter change). I cover about 6K miles a year, maybe 90% on-road and about 10% fairly sedate miles off-road.

Hi my mate is a highly qualified industrial chemist who only chages his oil in his car every 30,000 miles according to him if you use a fully synthetic oil it doesent break down at all unlike oils of 20 years ago. The only reason to change it is when it get contaminated due to combustion products gradualy building up. Obviously water or sand is a definite no no in any engine.

In addition to what Pleiades has mentioned...the enduro bikes might stipulate very short service intervals because of the nature of the ride they are designed to do. Ie one race with the bike on the limiter and being absolutley thrashed would require, at least as a precaution, an oil change. When riden much more sedately the necessity for such short service intervals is arguable. Plenty of people ADVriding these types of bikes for thousands of km between services.

The smaller oil volume can also be an advantage for ADVriding too, as on a long trip you can still do your own oil change on the go by carrying only a few litres of oil. Additionally if you drown the bike it only takes a few litres for a complete oil change and you are more likely to be carying the oil required because of the small volume.

Matt.