How long does synthetic oil last?

[ajaugust]

I'm fairly convince that synthetic oil will last a long time. That is, not referring to mileage, but simply time inside an engine. Here is the concern...
We have one of our ST's with about 4500 miles on the odometer. The last oil change was about a year ago. But, it was ridden less than 1000 miles since the last oil change. The oil change was done using synthetic oil. Unofficially, I've had good resources suggesting that the oil does not need to be changed until it reaches the mileage interval we were intending to perform the oil change, i.e., we would likely change the oil at the 3000 to 3500 mile interval. It's understood that that is one of the fundamental advantages of using synthetic oil... that is, it will not break down or react as non synthetic oil would, even if it were just sitting in the crank case. Is there any official information regarding how much time is allowed with synthetic oil before it has to be changed, regardless of the low mileage between changes?
Thanks for your input on this one...:bow1:
I know... you are probably asking yourself... Who would have a bike like an ST1300, and ride it so seldom?? That's whole other story...

[Mongo]

Nothing scientific here, I swap every 5000 and do not worry about time sitting in the winter. Never had issues with any bike I have done this way. Although I will change oil 3-4 times by 2500 miles to make sure only syn. is in the case.

[Tiny]

If it has been ridden at all and been in the engine for a year ...CHANGE IT! I can't imagine anyone giving advice to do otherwise.

[tricky_micky]

From what I remember!

Honda used to state in their service manual, change oils at every 6,000 miles or six monthly intervals.

On the later bikes manufactured after 2002, the oil changes were recommended at 4,000 miles or six months or so it said in the Honda books I had.

So, if the bike does not cover the mileage, according to Honda, you should change the oil after 6 months according to what I have read here in the UK.

So, if you are not covering the miles, you should change the oil every six months or after every 4,000 miles covered on the clock.

[yoitsmatt!]

anytime i have an engine sit during cold weather, winter months, times when there are extreme temperature swings and the engine hasnt been at least brought up to operating temps, i tend to worry about condensation, regardless of what engine oil you use if your engine is acting like a defrosting icebox for a few months its a good idea to dump the oil to get rid of any moisture that could have accumulated, i never let my bike sit for more than a month without running it and i would never take my boat out without a full service in the spring, just my $.02

[Tiny]

This topic brings up a lot of interesting thoughts: 1000 miles in a year....could mean anything from 2.7 miles per day (very bad!), to 85 miles once a month (not so bad) or 20 miles once a week (even better). I would never ride a bike that had been sitting for more than 2 months (maximum!) without changing the oil, no matter what oil was in it.
I would sooner buy a 2 year old bike with 30k on it than a 10 year old bike with 30k (or anything less), or even a 5 year old bike with 30k! Modern engines function best when run often........many other parts will wear out faster than the internal engine components, regardless of miles.
The old way of thinking (low miles=good) has become obsolete for the most part.