If you winterize your bike, do you change the oil before or after?

[IdaSuzi]

I have searched the forum for this topic but didn't find an answer to my specific quandary. I live in Idaho, which has pretty brutal winters, and so I winterized my bike. It's in a non- heated shed, with the battery out and keeping cozy on a tender in my house. I also topped the fuel tank to the brim and ran a fuel stabilizer through it, then switched the petcock off and let it run the carbs out.

My question is about the oil. I have been changing the oil and filter every 4,000 miles, and there were probably 2,500 miles on the oil when the bike was parked for the long winter. I have heard conflicting opinions on whether my method is wrong or not. I had originally planned changing the oil next spring before any serious riding, but others mention used engine oil can cause condensation and acidity problems even pitting metal surfaces in the crankcase. I would have thought modern oil is high enough in detergents and usually a high enough TBN to combat this, but I'm not sure.

So what do you do with your bike? Change the oil before or after winter storage?

Thanks!

[Amberdog22]

Not changed my oil in 4 years and runs absolutely fine. Wouldn't worry just for winter. I use my GS as a commuter and been through some pretty shaZam! weather 😂


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[herennow]

The acidic by-products of the combustion, along with the water vapour that can gather in the oil, sits and corrodes away the steel engine parts during the winter. Put in fresh oil and go for a last shortish ride. coats everything nicely in fresh protective oil. That said I dont change my oil for winter if the oil is still far from its target change mileage. I use synthetic and run it about 30% longer that the book says.

Don't be tempted to start the engine for a few minutes over the winter, does more harm.

I pop a teaspoon of oil into the cylinders and turn the engine a few times by hand to coat the rings and bores (in gear, turn back wheel with plugs out).

[Watcher]

When in doubt, do both.

Oil is cheap.
Herennow is correct re: rotating the engine by hand before the next start in the spring.
If the oil has months to settle there won't be enough in the cylinders and top end for proper lubrication on start up.
Get the oil pump primed by hand and it'll be ready for that first fire.

Also correct about not starting the engine every so often.  Just let it sit.

[IdaSuzi]

Thanks for info everyone!

I know not to start it periodically and the priming by hand tip is a great idea I will definitely do.

So if I put fresh oil in the fall before winterizing the bike, would that oil still be useable next spring? Maybe just some condensation that would evaporate after a first good warm up and ride?

Thanks everyone