Oil change interval question

Fotoguzzi · Jun 9, 2019

Is the interval for oil change really 9,000 miles?
My kids VW said that and it cost him $3500 in timing chain and cam replacement, there was a class action lawsuit because lots of cars had this problem. I believe it was due to too long between oil changes. We still waiting for the lawsuit to pay us for that repair.

So, really, 9k? Do you typically have to top up during that time? What oil do you use? I've never seen the Shell oil that is called for, maybe at the Ducati dealer?

Owners manual says the warning indicator can only be reset by a dealer, true? Or can I reset that myself if I want to do my own oil/filter changes?
Same with brake fluid, the interval seems long?

saken · Jun 9, 2019

Everyone has their own version/answer of when it should be changed. So Ill tell you what I do which. And it seems to be the median answer.

Mobil-1 15w-50
Every 5000-6000kms new K&N oil filter every change. Depending on conditions, around 5-6k you can see the oil get really black in the site glass. Also, clutch performance will decrease. It will start to have rougher shifts.

kuksul08 · Jun 9, 2019

I changed mine twice as much. It never burned any between changes.

You can use any 10w40 or 15w50 motorcycle oil, it says in the manual what you can use.

I don't think anything will happen if you went the full 9k miles. If timing chains and cams are failing in the car then it's a manufacturing/design issue not the oil.

appliance821 · Jun 9, 2019

Specifically using a motorcycle specific synthetic oil. Synthetics maintain their stated viscosity a lot longer.

I was told recently by duc expert that these engines have a different way of dealing with oil pressure at idle and that the ducati filter is specifically valved for this. I'll use them in the future. This wasn't a local shop, so the guy had no financial reasons to tell me this.

I've also heard that the K&Ns have changed their design and don't fit properly - never used them so I don't know.

Tyjamo · Jun 10, 2019

Oil is cheap, engines are not. I use Shell and Ducati filter as specified. 5,000 miles max, but better to change at 3-4000 because this is probably a long period of time anyway. Running clean oil promotes long engine life, whereas pushing the limits of oil makes it old and dirty and therefore slowly wearing away engine internals.

appliance821 · Jun 10, 2019

Tyjamo said:
Oil is cheap, engines are not. I use Shell and Ducati filter as specified. 5,000 miles max, but better to change at 3-4000 because this is probably a long period of time anyway. Running clean oil promotes long engine life, whereas pushing the limits of oil makes it old and dirty and therefore slowly wearing away engine internals.

Sure, if you only ride a few thousand miles a season and you're storing it, then change the oil for the winter. Otherwise you're wasting money, and the idea that oil is cheap would be news to a lot of people around the world.

gatdammit · Jun 11, 2019

I'd factor in how hard you ride it. I'd say most people put more strain on their hooligan bike motor than on their car. If I tracked my bike hard, I'd change the oil before returning it to civilian duty.

RSL · Jun 11, 2019

Even with oil analysis it is hard to tell just how much useful lubrication remains with oil. I tend to default toward more frequent changes than needed because I would rather spend my money on new oil and filter than $25 for oil analysis.

Time, convenience and miles all weigh on my timing. No way will I go 9,000 miles between changes. At most, half that amount.

gatdammit · Jun 11, 2019

Check out Project Farm on youtube. His oil testing vids are very easy to digest. Results are surprising. Spoiler: AMSOIL beats Royal Purple

appliance821 · Jun 11, 2019

It's a watercooled bike so the internal environment is well controlled and tolerances are much more precise than an air cooled machine. That said, follow your bliss, but I'll stick to 6-9 K miles intervals - basically a season of riding. The manual is 9k and that is probably conservative because manuals are conservative.

RSL · Jun 11, 2019

appliance821 said:
The manual is 9k and that is probably conservative because manuals are conservative.

Blackstone labs 6,000 mile tests on K1600 oil shows not much life left.

Unlike auto engines, and a few motorcycles, the Ducati, like the K1600, shares the crankcase and transmission and clutch in the same oil bath. 9,000 miles is a lot to ask.

hutch · Jun 12, 2019

40,000 miles on my SP, including track days.
Oil changes according to the interval in the manual.
Still running like the day I bought it.

All my bikes and cars follow the intervals defined by the manual. Never had an engine issue related to lubrication...

mentalist · Jul 1, 2019

I drop the oil in-between services, its easy to do and doesn't cost that much.
I do quite a few track days and rag the arse of it, so piece of mind for me, also never had to top up between either.

Oil change interval question

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