Make end-of-season oil changes part of your winterization routine

This question has come up a few times recently: Mike, I change my oil once a year, does it really matter if I do it at the end or the beginning of the season?

The short answer: Yes, and at the end is your best choice.  Here's why:

All season long, your engine is going through heating and cooling cycles, which causes condensation to form inside the crankcase.  Along with that, there are small amounts of particulates from the combustion cycle, as well as regular wear components that leave acids and soot in the crankcase. Part of the job of a good oil is to hold and suspend these particles and water droplets, which is the reason for changing your oil in the first place. 
Left for long periods of time, however, and the water and acids will separate from the oil and can start to affect the internal surfaces of the engine, oil passages, coolers and lines (if applicable). Draining the old oil at the end of the season and dropping in a fresh fill is your best defense against this. 

And it's one less thing to do in the spring, when all you want to do is ride!

Motomike Recommends:

• Warm your bike and drain the old oil as part of your winterizing routine
• Fill with good quality oil of the correct viscosity
• Change oil filter yearly
• Always use a new drain plug crush washer

See our post on simple winterization routine here!