SouthmtJim
New Member
long trips, I carry a spare filter. guess I can stop doing that.
It was about 6,000 miles and two years total that I left the filter on. I change the oil every 3 to 4 thousand miles because that is about what I end up doing for miles in a year. I wish I had more time and opportunity to ride and get the mileage up but it is what it is.For reference sake, how many miles did you ride in that 2 years? Oil changes are really more mileage dependent than time, though the advertising would have you believe oil goes bad just sitting there. Acids can develop, but that's another thread. I don't think your method is a problem for your needs.
I for one will not buy something just because I "read it on a forum thread". I change my crush washers because it's cheap and simple. My KTM 300, Beta both trans and motor side, and both Toyota Lexus's use the same washer so it's a no brainer. I do agree it's not crucial. BTW, crush washers are ruined as soon as they are used once. Never heard of a driveline failure because it was over lubed?I never change the crush washer on any motorcycle I've ever owned and never have had a leak. I bought a pack of 10 for the goldwing 11yrs ago because of threads where several guys acted like it was crucial to change them. I still have 10. Maybe some guys over torque and ruin the washer? Don't know, but torque to spec and never a leak.
Strange thing on the GL1800, it seems like most guys that believe in changing the final drive lube 6 times or whatever, before the recommended first change are nearly always the guys that have failure early. Sometimes overdoing things has no real benefit.
I do wish the Japanese would see fit to build the same type of bikes built in Europe, but they don't. That's how I ended up with a German bike in the garage. Hopefully, some day, the Japanese will figure out that people shorter than 5' 8" are willing to spend good money on full featured, non-top heavy, adventure bike. I see nothing in the pipeline suggesting that idea has dawned on them."If it comes out of Italy, Germany, or England and has a motor run don't walk away. "
My opinion: There are bikes out there, and on here, with hundreds of thousands of miles. Whether they use OE, or after market, they have not failed due to poor oil circulation. I can buy a whole lot of filters for what that company wants for their filter. And, I turn in my old oil for recycling, so the only thing that I'm "wasting" is the filter itself. By the way, I'm an OE filter & oil guy.….Expensive ,but could work out cheaper over a few years . Very green saving the planet....
LOL, I remember years ago heated internet arguments on the pros and cons of those stainless filters. Scotts is still making them for a bunch of models. I think they are a good choice if you are in a remote part of the world where standard filters are unavailable. Also no denying the convenience of a quick spray clean, and reinstall.The stainless filters were a big fad in dirt bikes a few years back. They didn’t work all that great.
The ease and convenience of a spin on filter, is so easy.