High mileage and oil consumption

[DAC]

Gah!! Another oil thread!

Actually, I have to confess plainly that I hate the little sight window to get the oil level. It get's cloudy and even the swipey thing doesn't always do the job. On oil changes, I usually put the old oil in the bottle the new stuff came in and I've never noticed much difference but I'm not changing it much beyond 3k miles anyway. I did put a few ounces in during a 4,700k trip out west but I think it was 4-5 oz. at best.

Cool enough here to run good old Honda GN4 10-30. Used to use Rotella T6 15W-40 on the VFR but the CB sounded kinda knocky running it. So, OEM it is.

[GoldOxide_imp]

... I used Rotella T6 5W40 in the CB1100 and it replaced the Motul I was using - which I found quite good too.

[emullick_imp]

@Jurlie, a couple of points:
- it is one of those subjects, where you get 13 opinions, when asking 12 owners,
- technically, an air-cooled engine usually does (but does not need to) burn more oil than a water-cooled one,
- oil burn is not necessarily steady, or going up steadily with age,
- but most important - and regardless of advice from self proclaimed experts - even high oil burn rates for a long time should not make you worry - unless there is other signs of damage (sparks, etc.). The risk of taking the engine apart, and have it develop other problems afterwards, is just not justified by "high oil burn".

Now tell me
- in which temperature (extremes) do you typically operate ?
- lots of inner city riding, or steady 50mph on country roads ?
- did you recently change oil because it's been 1y from the last change, or because of miles you rode ?

To give you a house-number, I'd say even that if my Honda burned 1 quart every 50 hours of operation, I would not become concerned. After all it's not an aircraft, where an engine failure causes a forced landing or a ditch.

Thanks, those are valid points.
Here the answers:
1. 10C (50F) to 44C (110F) is usual range of operation, as I’m in California.
2. Mostly energetic interstates and country road riding, 4-8k rpm
3. Miles.

I have no problem to add half a quart to a quart oil in the engine occasionally. The bigger problem would be if I needed to check the oil before every bigger day ride (say 300+/- miles) or during the multiday trip where could be 300-800 miles a day. The latter would be especially annoying, as I’d have to take in account places to get oil in addition to gas.

That is the ideal range for 20W50.
104F is beyond the maximum range for 10W40.
50F is generally considered the minimum range for 20W50
If riding colder, then 10W50.

That is the ideal range for 20W50.
104F is beyond the maximum range for 10W40.
50F is generally considered the minimum range for 20W50
If riding colder, then 10W50. 104F is beyond the normal range for me too; stay at home or take the car.
Hi rpm is a huge reason for higher oil consumption.
20 years ago I bought a new Corvette and was surprised by high oil consumption, until I realized I driving like I rode my motorcycle, rpm above 4,000.
The Vette has 140,000 miles on it and never needs oil between changes.

[Nachodaddy]

Gah!! Another oil thread!

Actually, I have to confess plainly that I hate the little sight window to get the oil level. It get's cloudy and even the swipey thing doesn't always do the job. On oil changes, I usually put the old oil in the bottle the new stuff came in and I've never noticed much difference but I'm not changing it much beyond 3k miles anyway. I did put a few ounces in during a 4,700k trip out west but I think it was 4-5 oz. at best.

Cool enough here to run good old Honda GN4 10-30. Used to use Rotella T6 15W-40 on the VFR but the CB sounded kinda knocky running it. So, OEM it is.

I couldn't read my oil level through the sight window when I first got my bike, then I discovered it was dirty. It didn't look dirty and the bike was very clean, so I was surprised when I washed the sight window and suddenly could see the oil clearly.
Most worry about cold weather effecting the oil, but my problem is heat. Even in winter here, it is warm. In summer the heat can't be good for the engine when the air coming through the cylinders will drive you off the bike in a hurry.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Yeah, sometimes the whitish residue in the CB1100 oil viewing window doesn't get wiped away with the wiper.

An oil change usually takes care of it though.