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I do it every year, at the same time that I do the gearbox (GS's before the liquid cooled have the transmission separated from the engine by a dry clutch. There are three oils to change : engine oil, transmission oil and final drive oil).

The same oil is used in transmission and final drive, it takes a liitle less than a liter (or a quart) to change both, so it make sense to change both at the same time.
 
Since its so simple, I like to do it at least every other oil change which ends up being 6K.
If I am doing an oil change before a long ride, always refresh the final drive fluid too.
 
I do it and the transmission every other oil change. 10,000 to 12,000 miles. If t went longer say i was on a trip and exceeded the normal interval I'd not be too concerned. Honestly I think any quality gear oil cold go at least double the mileage.
 
Is it primarily mileage related, or does age factor in? Meaning, a GS sits with low mileage for 4 years..?

The answer is yes but more weighted to the mileage spectrum. 4 years and and little mileage would not concern me but a liter of quality gear oil is $12 (enough for the trans and rear drive) so it cheap enough. If you are a DIY’er why not during a beer or two and change it?
 
LC is also 180 cc, part of the 12K ,mile service, I did mine yesterday, what came out looked exactly like what I put back in. YMMV
 
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FWIW a hamster bottle is the bees knees for filling the rear drive. Pop out the ball so the liquid can flow and Bob’s yer Uncle!

I bought one Filled it with 180cc’s then matched marked it so no more measuring. Just fill to the line put on the cap and fill’er up.

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I change it with every change of engine oil, about 6k miles or 10k kms or at the end of the season. One bottle 1l 75W140 divide between gearbox 800ml and final drive last 200. Because of thickness last 10 or 20 ml are in the walls of the bottle.
In the service manual is written 40k or 60k, but this is simple procedure, for me is easy to ride with fresh fluids every season.
 
With spline lube and final drive lube, it’s not clear that a shaft is lower maintenance than a chain…
My regiment on the Suzuki is a 45 second HHS 2000 spray while rotating the wheel by hand on the centre stand. I do it at each fill up and NEVER CLEAN it.
I’ll let you know in a couple years if it’s lower or higher maintenance.

PS: I ride with a guy that follows the same lube and maintenance schedule and he gets 40-50k miles on a chain.

This shaft sure is quiet and smooth ;)
 
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