merlyn

Hy! I change the oil every 5000 km! When I ve changed last time the level was over upper a bit, why the oil level is about to minimum after approx 5000 km? the oil I use is motul 300v double ester 10 w 40! I want to mention that my bike has only 35000 km! What is the problem???

gboezio

It could be many things, dripping out, burnt trough cranckcase breathers (oil in airbox), trough valve seals (decel smoke), trough rings (accel smoke) or just an oil that evaporate easier than the previous you used.
Still consider 1 L/5000 km pretty normal

shayne

I have heard this with Motul before. Use a different oil with an appropriate viscosity for the temperature you operate the bike in and see what happens.

merlyn

Thanks! I put only motul 10w40 300 v because is double ester and this is great for an engine life!

VTRsurfer

I add oil once or twice between changes, using Pro Honda 10w40, depending on how hard I ride it.

I've had 3 Hondas and 1 BMW and they all used some oil between changes. I top it off if its 1/2 way or less in the sight glass, since oil not only lubricates but cools as well.

Dan Cronin

I'd agree with Shayne's comments. Assuming you careful holding the bike straight on level ground when checking the oil level, I guess the only question I'd add is what volume of oil is needed to make up the difference between the Low / High sight guage marks?

FL02SupaHawk996

+1, don't worry about it...just keep checkin it and you'll be fine...

VTRsurfer

If its at the lower mark, it takes almost 1 quart. That's why I keep it topped off.

Its a big bore high performance engine, so some oil use is normal. Riding behind my friend's '02 998 Ducati I can smell the oil in his exhaust sometimes, and he only has about 15,000 miles on it.

Forde

every engine uses oil to some degree

my cars have all used about a litre or a little more, every 5000 miles

i change the oil in the bike every 3k and always keep an eye on the level so unsure how much it uses over a long period

as for where it is in the sight glass is it meant to be halfway up or nearer the top

VTRsurfer

Anywhere between the upper and lower marks is okay, just like the Full and Add marks on your car's dipstick. However you don't want it above the upper mark. That could cause foaming of the oil and engine damage.

In some car owners manuals it actually says do not add oil if between marks. I think that's because some car owners would see the level below the full mark and add a full quart of oil, overfilling it.

When I taught Vocational Automotives, we once had a 60s Mustang come into the shop overfilled by 9 quarts.

RK1

A quart or liter of oil every 5000k or 3000 miles is normal. If you wish to use a bit less, don't fill it to the top line, certainly not over the top line. Fill it between the two lines.

When I've filled to the top line, a few ounces get blown through the breather up to the air box. Fill it half way or 3/4 way to the top line and you'll probably use a bit less of that expensive oil.

JamieDaugherty

IMHO - Motorcycle oil should be changed every 1000-1500.... not 3000 miles. That's way too long. At 1500 miles the oil in my VTR is worn out. I know this because I can tell the difference after an oil change. It's like a haircut, if you do it often enough you won't be able to tell. If you can you've waited too long.

That reminds me, my hair is getting kind of long......

VTRsurfer

Since I retired I'm riding almost 1,000 miles a month, so that's a little expensive for me.

Oh, and I haven't had a haircut since 2 weeks before I retired last January.

RK1

I'm mostly with Jamie on this one. I doubt the oil stops protecting the engine after 1500 miles. But no matter what oil i use the shift quality starts going south at about 1500 or a bit more. Since i use Super Tech 15w40 which i stockpiled at $1.48/quart, cost is irrelevant.

nuhawk

I have been so focused on mileage to the tank I had not looked at my odo in a while - turns out a great while. Need to mention that the mileage is a little skewed since I installed 15/41. Recent battery out electrical prob after repairs the speedo boots in ODO. 21,000 miles. We just rolled over the Interceptor at 11,000. That's about 9k per bike per year.

shayne

My bikes don't use oil any more. I have no need to top up between oil changes.

I had a BMW that was using oil, so I tried a few different brands. After using 3 brands with varying levels of oils consumption and smoke, the 4th brand I tried (bike shop suggested it) works very well. I have used it ever since (VTR, VFR800 & Suzuki V Strom), and I do not notice any degrading in shifting as Jamie pointed out, although my BMW certainly liked fresh oil in it's separate gearbox.

Not much good for you guys as it is not exported from Australia, and even if it was it would be hard for you to find. But some experimenting can yield results.

RCVTR

VTR cylinders tend to be out of round a bit, because they are unsupported at the top. The rings are very thin and exert a low force on the cylinder walls. This comination causes oil consumption - worse in some engines than others, but not a sign of wear.

Keep oil in it and ride the **** out of it!

Just_Nick

Not really. Synthetic holds up fine for 3k miles.

RCVTR

The oil change interval is based more upon the accumulation of combustion byproducts in the oil than the breakdown of the oil itself.

shayne

Then perhaps part of my "no oil consumption" is due to my engine specs (bored cylinders with custom piston & rings) as well/instead of what oil I use.