This is great stuff, very informative! I agree with the statement that car makers recommend 3kmi changes in "severe" use, but looking at how they define severe, I always fall into that category. "Severe" usually means "city" driving.
Exactly.
If you're ever in the used motorcycle market looking to buy a bike, would you respond first to the guy recording oil changes at 3,000 miles for the life of the bike, or the guy saying 7,500 miles whether it needed it or not? Oil cools and cleans as well as lubricates. Everyone might agree after an oil change, they usually hear a quieter engine compared to before the oil change. The increase in my cost is $35 every 3 months instead of every 6 months. I don't think I'm concerned about excessive maintenance costs here, just the consequences of my rings and bearings if I'm neglecting the chore. I managed for 7 years in those quick oil change companies. I've seen tens of thousands of oil changes, not 3 or 4 a year. I have my own experience of what neglect and proper care looks like and took the time to document independent analysis of used oil in many cars, to either deny or support the oil companies statement to change it for severe duty intervals. (many oil companies do this for free so send in your oil and filter next time you exceed the interval and tell us what they said.) Cut your old oil filter open, take a look sometime. Like I said, it's your bike, not mine. Who would actually push the point on something so inexpensive a chore, to its limits?
I really don't think anyone gives a second thought about the oil companies profit when it's time to change oil. I think it's putting off maintenance out of laziness or procrastination, it's almost an American tradition. Whatever your reasons and choices, when you decide to sell it, be sure to be truthful about the maintenance when asked. It's funny how many say "Oh every 3,000 miles" when I can tell from the brown baked on dirt in the fill hole or sight glass, they're only wishing they had.