| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
It's well-documented here that if you try and maintain your oil level at the top of the operating range indicated on the dipstick, your bike WILL use oil and most of the excess will be blown into the airbox via the rocker box breather tubes. This makes a mess and will get oil all over the inside of your air filter. The best way to determine your proper oil level: At your next oil change, add exactly 2.5 quarts of fresh oil (filter and swingarm combined) as directed by the shop manual. Take the bike for a ride. When the engine is good and hot, stop on a level surface, put the bike on the sidestand, and check the oil level. Most people find that the oil level is somewhere between the middle and lower end of the indicated operating range. After that, routinely check your oil using the level determined above as a reference point. Unless your oil level is below the bottom of the operating range, DON'T add more oil. (Message edited by hughlysses on March 12, 2009) | ||
| Keith_mahoney |
After that, routinely check your oil using the level determined above as a reference point. Unless your oil level is below the bottom of the operating range, DON'T add more oil. And if you have a 2008 or newer you might not even be able to get a reading above the add range without it being pumped up to your air box. | ||
| Someday |
I have an '08 and the only way to get a reading on the dipstick it to have the bike running. As soon as you stop the bike, within seconds, the oil drains back into the engine. Don't worry, no oil blows out the dipstick hole when checking it while running. | ||
| Zane_t |
I've made the mistake of topping up my oil level to get it into the upper range. The result was not only getting oil sucked into the intake but also leaking back down the rear cylinder and into the cooling fan. The cooling fan eventually got fouled with dirt and oil and started blowing fuses. After figuring out what was going on, a little Gunk Engine Bright to clean things up and correcting the oil level cured everything. When they say 2 1/2 quarts of oil, they mean it. |
