Posts: 47
Threads: 17
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Oct 2018
I got home from work and put the bike on the center stand. Figured I could wait five minutes and check the oil level. Well after thirty minutes the oil level showed a reading that was below the bottom line. Was the bike too hot to check? Or, am I low on oil. My next oil change is this Saturday. I guess my bike burns oil?
What do you think is going on?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Posts: 8,035
Threads: 21
Likes Received: 186 in 108 posts
Likes Given: 134
Joined: Apr 2025
Low on oil.
Not enough info to know if it is burning oil, but most likely not. check around the filter and drain plug for leaks. It may not have been filled properly last oil change.
Posts: 12,677
Threads: 77
Likes Received: 3 in 3 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2014
Definitely low oil if after a few minutes of engine off time. The hot oil flows well in the direction of gravity.
Popgun's suggestions are a great first step.
Posts: 373
Threads: 25
Likes Received: 22 in 7 posts
Likes Given: 1
Joined: Oct 2015
If you don’t already try to check oil in the same level spot every time. Also, I find I have to top off oil somewhere around halfway between changes. I ride mine a lot at high and low speeds, high and low rpm so I’m sure some oil gets vaporized and burned. Just my 2 cents.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Posts: 12,677
Threads: 77
Likes Received: 3 in 3 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2014
(03-28-2019, 01:30 AM)MMC_imp Wrote: If you don’t already try to check oil in the same level spot every time. Also, I find I have to top off oil somewhere around halfway between changes. I ride mine a lot at high and low speeds, high and low rpm so I’m sure some oil gets vaporized and burned. Just my 2 cents.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Good point MMC. I agree. If you gobble up RPM, then then some oil will blow by and burn.
Posts: 2,757
Threads: 26
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2014
I agree, after 30 minutes hot oil would have settled long ago.
Just needs to be topped up I would say.
Good advice from popgun
Posts: 47
Threads: 17
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Oct 2018
Yeah, my oil change is this weekend. It just needed a little. I ride everyday about 70 miles.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Posts: 998
Threads: 62
Likes Received: 46 in 18 posts
Likes Given: 8
Joined: Dec 2013
What do you think is going on?
My bike gives erratic and inconsistent oil level readings also. I brought this up in a thread a while back. I checked my oil level at home one time and was shocked to see it was low - I knew it shouldn't be low because I had recently checked it. I rode to the shop to buy a quart of oil and when I arrived there the oil level had returned to normal - it had changed from the lower line in the sight glass to the upper line. Bike was on center stand and on level ground both times, and was checked approximately 5 minutes after turning the motor off.
Posts: 7,005
Threads: 93
Likes Received: 480 in 262 posts
Likes Given: 875
Joined: Apr 2025
If there is no leak, bike is not burning oil, has no piston blow-by, is always on center stand and you have different oil level readings = you check your oil level at different conditions, i. e : too soon after shut off, not running bike for a while after oil/filter replacement or checking oil level when bike ran cold and too short.
The best and 100 y. o. perfect method is: center stand and next day= cannot go wrong.
* Assume: air cool engine, no fuel interference and I do not believe in engine oil vaporization during normal usage.
Before I start my bike, I have a quick look on the floor if any leak. I check engine oil level between intervals only if I go on very long/multi day trips. Done.
Ride it, do not babysit
Posts: 373
Threads: 25
Likes Received: 22 in 7 posts
Likes Given: 1
Joined: Oct 2015
(03-28-2019, 09:52 AM)Dave_imp Wrote: What do you think is going on?
My bike gives erratic and inconsistent oil level readings also. I brought this up in a thread a while back. I checked my oil level at home one time and was shocked to see it was low - I knew it shouldn't be low because I had recently checked it. I rode to the shop to buy a quart of oil and when I arrived there the oil level had returned to normal - it had changed from the lower line in the sight glass to the upper line. Bike was on center stand and on level ground both times, and was checked approximately 5 minutes after turning the motor off.
I’ve had the same happen to me. Now I only check it in my garage in the same place every time. Make sure it’s hot and sits for awhile before you check too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
