S10 Using oil

[scott123007]

@RCinNC You have nothing to worry about. The problem only surfaced in Gen1's.
An approximate pint of oil in 1000 miles is about a 200 to 1 mixture @ 40 mpg. Definitely not enough to smoke or cause plug issues and probably not enough to foul O2 sensors. Some manufacturers consider it acceptable for their engines to burn up to a quart of oil in 1000 miles.

 

[RCinNC]

Thanks Scott. I figured there'd be more of an impact. Ive never had a motorcycle that noticeably burned oil. Once again, my ignorance is on display .

 

[Sierra1]

@RCinNC You have nothing to worry about. The problem only surfaced in Gen1's.
. . . . Some manufacturers consider it acceptable for their engines to burn up to a quart of oil in 1000 miles.

The RT I rode used at least that much. Oddly enough, it used less with more miles on it. At 60K I has hardly adding any at all.

 

[scott123007]

Thanks Scott. I figured there'd be more of an impact. Ive never had a motorcycle that noticeably burned oil. Once again, my ignorance is on display .

You have contributed enough to this forum over the years to eradicate any semblance of ignorance you feel you are displaying.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . Without digging through my service manual, does anyone know offhand how low does the actual amount of oil have to be until the light kicks on?

I'm not sure that info would be in a manual. But, my bike's light won't stay "off" unless it gets the entire jug. I don't let it drain every last drop out, but if I put in the specified amount, it'll start with a flicker and then burn steady. Different people describe different amounts, so I don't know if there's any "wiggle room" when the sensor was installed at the factory, or it all depends on how much an individual pours in.

 

[RCinNC]

You have contributed enough to this forum over the years to eradicate any semblance of ignorance you feel you are displaying.

Thanks a lot, Scott, that is much appreciated, seriously.

 

[magic]

I never understood the "ignore the sight glass" statements. It works fine if you do the oil level check as it's supposed to be done. Dry sump engines have been around for years, it's not a big deal.

Some engines may use oil. Check it, keep it at the proper level.

My thoughts exactly. Follow the oil level procedure in the owners manual. No oil level issues on my 2013.

 

[Sierra1]

I never understood the "ignore the sight glass" statements. It works fine if you do the oil level check as it's supposed to be done. . . .

For me, I can put the entire jug in and not see anything in the sight glass. I know that there's enough oil in the sump, 'cuz I just put "too much" oil in said sump. When I return the next day, the window is completely full. This makes sense since I put "too much" oil in there. I don't worry about overfull since it's only a matter of ounces, and I don't worry about a lack of oil because when I change the oil, and pour the old into the jug . . . . it fills to the 4qt line.

This is the first dry sump bike I've ever had. And it's also the only bike that I haven't used the sight glass to check my oil.

 

[bigbruce]

I am convinced my Gen 1 bike is using oil. I think I will try 20-50 weight oil on my next oil change to see if that makes any difference. I am in AZ so no real cold weather starts. Cheers

 

[eemsreno]

In the 11 or so years of owning my 2012 it has used some oil after about the first 30,000 miles. At least that's when I first noticed it. Especially if run at interstate speeds a lot. That might be do to never having my 2012 on an interstate in the first 30,000 miles of owning it. My 2017 has not used any.
I have no problems at all using the sight glass and have never doubted its accuracy once I got used to it. If I went out right now and checked the sight glass and it was low, I would add some oil. and that is the way it has been for 319,000 miles When changing oil I do put in the whole one gallon jug or the low oil light will come on. That will get my oil change started off at the top side of the glass, for the first 2,000 miles then I need to keep an eye on the sight glass. [I hardly ever get on interstates and run fast unless I'm traveling.]

 

[lund]

Because a KLR will use a bunch of oil if driven at higher speeds.

The KLR will suck the oil out of any motorcycles like a vampire, I avoid parking next to one.

 

[Cycledude]

I am convinced my Gen 1 bike is using oil. I think I will try 20-50 weight oil on my next oil change to see if that makes any difference. I am in AZ so no real cold weather starts. Cheers

Do you have the maintenance records for this bike ?

 

[bigbruce]

I have only had the bike for 8000 miles and I just did the third oil change. Bike now has 38000 miles

 

[Grape_salad]

Does anyone know what triggers the oil light? Is it based on (lack of) oil pressure ?

I've had 3 occasions in the last few weeks where i've started the bike, and in the first 5 minutes of riding noticed that the oil light has come on. Usually if i just pull over and let it idle it will flick off, and stay off for the rest of the ride.

Feels to me like perhaps the oil level is a bit low and while the oil is cold and not circulating freely perhaps it doesn't return to the oil pickup, leads to some air being sucked in and triggering the oil light?

My sight glass also showed no oil, so i added about 400ml to bring it up to the full marker. I've only had this bike for a few months so not sure how much oil was put in by the previous owner.

 

[Sierra1]

Does anyone know what triggers the oil light? Is it based on (lack of) oil pressure ? . . . .

Entire jug of oil, with a filter change, and forget it. (you're new, so you just don't know how many times this dead horse has been beat on)

 

[Boris]

Grape, it’s level, not pressure. The top up should sort it.

 

[Anavar]

My gen 1 burned about 500ml for 1k km when riding 2 up. Valve seals and piston rings was shot at 50k km. New seals and new gen 2 pistons with rings fixed that completely

 

[TenereGUY]

I'm new too. I idle this bike and it has that weird sound. Look at the oil portal window.... never have I seen oil in it. It runs and sounds the same so I keep going. New oil and filter before the Alaska trip. Won't get changed unless I take a 4,000 mile detour through the southern states on the way home!

 

[WookinPaNub]

I can also confirm that my 2013 regularly goes through oil between changes, regular or synthetic. It's one of my post long ride maintenance items like checking tire pressures or spoke tightness. Always has and at 58k continues to and there is not a white smoke as a result.

 

[Anavar]

There was no smoke on mine too until i flushed oil system. I think there was burned oil stuck around rings. After flush it started smoking like 2 stroke. So if you don't plan rebuild don't flush it