Twitch, I met a gal from Canada who owned a car that she drove for 50,000 mile with no oil change. I talked with her about her car problems, and started to ask the general routine questions, like last oil change, tune up, airfilter, spark plugs. She looked at me like I had a hole in my head! I couldn't believe it. I'm thinking didn't your parents teach you these things...No! In my family all valuable things, came with hard work, so we strive to keep them in the best shape we can. I still remember my autoshop teacher, Mr. Spellenberger, saying, " A clean car is a happy car!" I.e. keep the parts clean and it will last longer.
The Harley hasn't had a oil change in a year, because I only got out three times to ride it in the last years. So with only 3-400 miles on it I haven't stressed too much, but a year is my limit, so in a month or so, it'll get an oil change, and tune -up in prep for Alaska this summer, when I'll ride the hell out of it. It also sat a lot last year due to electrical stuff, that is fixed now. Expensive to own it and maintain it, but a hell of a comfortable ride!