Should You Change Your Oil Before Winter Storage? | The Shop Manual

Winter is right around the corner, and your motorcycle will need to be put into storage. You’ll add fuel stabilizer to the tank and plug in a battery maintainer… but should you change your engine oil? The short answer is yes (it’s always a good idea), but if you’re cost conscious or conservation minded, you might be wondering if the oil that’s in there will be okay for the winter. We explain why oil goes bad in this episode of The Shop Manual.

[afellowinnewengland]

I did a TBN oil analysis on engine oil that hadn't been changed for 4 years on a BMW motorcycle, but it did have a few thousand miles on it from light use every year. The TBN wasn't far off new oil and was very strong. Blackstone Labs told me that TBN was so strong the oil would have been fine to leave in. Realistically, unless the oil is well worn and has low TBN it's really unnecessary to change it before storage. This video was more theoretical than real world.

[rameylewis]

Been riding my bikes since 1974 in the mountains of the PNW and I only change the oil in the spring time before I start to ride again. Never had a problem with them.

[samanthagregoryurich]

I ride throughout the winter if it’s above 0 C and no risk of ice, which is most of the winter here in Southern Sweden. If I remember correctly, the longest my bike sat unused last winter was 2 weeks in Jan/Feb. In Sweden we say “there is no bad weather, only poor clothing”.

[tredogzs]

I have a Ducati so I just change my Oil by changing out the oil soaked floor matt under the bike.

[davida]

Started riding in 1973 and am still riding and own four bikes. Never once changed the oil before winter storage and my bikes don’t get used at all from about the first of November until mid spring. I’ve never had any issues with the old oil being corrosive in my motors. I have a large bore sport touring bike with over 100k. Still no internal problems. I’m definitely not concerned at all about changing the oil before winter storage

[paulduhig]

All year riding in Australia, thank god as it would depress me storing a bike for winter.

[toooldforgaming]

Just make sure the oil is topped up to its highest point and run for at least an hour to run within operating temperature to remove all excess moisture from the engine before storage, which you have to do with storing a motor with new oil anyways. This FYI is also what ruins oils in vehicles is people only running them for 10-15 minutes at a time which allows moisture to build up in the engine, along with acids to build up since the oil does not reach proper temperatures long enough to emulsify and neutralize them.

[VLAD-frtf]

I just want to share my experience regarding fuel STABILIZER for the winter. I used one, and the result was awful. The carburated engine barely started, with smoke and uneven idle. On the other hand for years I just use TOP 100 octane fuel and let it sit all winter (4-6 months) and it starts with no hassle!. During covid I let it sit with the same fuel 100 octane for more than a year...and again ...no problems. That doesn't mean the fuel will be like new, the engine will not work at its height but it will run well enough to get rid of it, what solves this is a fuel additive (not stabilizer!) added when the bike is re-utilized. The explanation has to do with the ethanol that draws water in the tank so a high-octane and ethanol-free would be the best solution, some people use mower fuel like Aspen: Aspen 4 is an ethanol-free alkylate fuel formula specially designed with professional users in mind.

[Starship]

My Super Duke had a clear clutch cover. Everytime you stated the vehicle you could see all the condensation on the clear window til the motor warmed. Made me a believer of water/condensation when cold suddenly warms with condensation. More humidity more condensation

[one]

Always do my maintenance before storage. Usually put about 5 to 6 thousand miles per riding season. Before the start of the new riding season, 1 quick check around.

[oceanNmotoWoman]

I love the shop manual. Such useful, helpful information in an easy to understand format. Thanks Ari!

[bertsmith]

Consider that moisture is a bigger problem with fluctuating temperatures, like a garaged bike vs a bike parked outside. Moisture will condense more readily with more wild temperature swings.

[wigletron]

I change it right at the start of the season. I do the same with a weekend car. I've never had an issue.

[tomanthony]

Years ago they did a study on NYC taxis. One group changed engine oil regularly the other never did. They tore apart the motors and spec'd all. There was absolutely no difference in wear between the two and this was not the modern oils today. So the recommendation is that we should change our oil regularly or never!!

I have always changed my oil every year before winter storage. One big change that I've made this year is switching from premo expensive synthetic oil to department store brand conventional (motorcycle specific 4 stroke oil obviously). I realized that riding 4000km in a season and then changing synthetic oil was a bit of a waste.

[WaterDR-twre]

I ran an oil lab for the US military. The ONLY way to know if to perform an analysis.

I change mine when it needs it, not based on seasons.

Oil does not go bad!

And you will heart people say they change before lay up and after….and they will all say the same thing….”never had an issue”.

Why? Because it does t make a difference.

One upside of pre storage change is that you simply know it’s done.

[happyshoe]

I live in Minnesota and ride year round. Last year was AWESOME - very little snow/moisture.

[BobTaylorCruising]

It depends on if you ride the bike in winter months. While the transmission is a bit balky until the machine warms up, I actually ride mine in temps down to 45 degrees F or so. I do put fuel stabilizer in as I'm not on it every week but I ride as much as I can until it gets into freezing weather. That's RIDE, not run the engine. Riding it gets the water vapor out of the oil by boiling it out. It may not be fresh but it is good and a good ride keeps it good as long as the bike gets to temperature and stays there long enough.

[Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

I just bought a used bike with 750 miles on it and was trying to figure out if the oil had been changed yet. I found a "Next Service" in the dash saying April 2025 or 9850 miles. Considering the service interval is 10, 000 miles, I think the oil was changed just 150 miles ago. Considering that would have been its first service, hopefully it was changed, and someone didn't just reset the counter. I'll change it in the Spring anyway to be sure, but I'll likely be dumping out perfectly good oil.

[kevinmatthews]

In southern Ontario in Canada and I have ridden every month of the last 22 months. Even in winter months it is nice enough here to get out for a 10-15 minute ride once a month. I use fuel stabilizer and a tender (when not ridden for more than a couple of weeks) but the full synthetic oil and OEM filter only get changed every xxx kms or once a year. Ends up being changed due to mileage and never annually or seasonally.