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Oilhead Oil Consumption
- Thread starter Mr. Frank
- Start date
reddog99
New member
Oil consumption is going to be highly variable, just like gas mileage, and for many of the same reasons. My own mileage can vary from .5 to 2.0 qts. between oil changes. Just like gas mileage, cross counrty traveling yields the least consumption, and in-town and high rpm operations yield the most consumption.
Up to a point, more mileage on a bike will decrease oil usage, slow break-in's will increase usage. Don't start using synthetic oil until you believe that the oil consumption has dropped enough to indicate that the break-in has completed as much as it's going to. Sometimes this can take 15,000 miles. Just my two cents.
Pat
Up to a point, more mileage on a bike will decrease oil usage, slow break-in's will increase usage. Don't start using synthetic oil until you believe that the oil consumption has dropped enough to indicate that the break-in has completed as much as it's going to. Sometimes this can take 15,000 miles. Just my two cents.
Pat
BMWRider
New member
I've never approached 1 qt./1,000 miles.
Under high speed/hot weather conditions, I might need to top off the GS after a 1,000-mile trip, probably to the tune of about a 1/3 quart.
Oilhead oil consumption does vary wildly. For some reason - maybe I'm just lucky - both my Oilheads have sipped dinosaur remains very sparingly.
Under high speed/hot weather conditions, I might need to top off the GS after a 1,000-mile trip, probably to the tune of about a 1/3 quart.
Oilhead oil consumption does vary wildly. For some reason - maybe I'm just lucky - both my Oilheads have sipped dinosaur remains very sparingly.
I just had my '02 1100S through the 6000mi service. In those 6K, the most notable changes were the drop in oil consumption and the improved shifting. I was at about 1/3 of a quart every 1000 miles when new. Now the level barely moves in 3000. And the tranny is oh so sweet!!!
Kneedragon
New member
Ditto here. I don't think my 1100RS oil level dropped more than half the glass...top of circle to middle dot between changes. I'm at 50,000 miles and the oil use has been at that level since about 20,000 miles.
Oli comsumption
I have an 03 with 3800 mi. When I got it back from the dealer after the 600 check the oil level was at the top of the sight glass. In fact I thought that the thing was dry. since I couldn't see any oil. After about another 1000 mi or so the level was slightly below the middle of the sight glass. I added 8 oz of oil and it brought the level to the middle. In the 2200 mi since ,I have not added a drop and the level has remained there. This is my 4th oil head and in my experience I have found that if the thing is overfull , just run it awhile and the level will drop to where it likes to be, sort of a self leveling thing.
I have an 03 with 3800 mi. When I got it back from the dealer after the 600 check the oil level was at the top of the sight glass. In fact I thought that the thing was dry. since I couldn't see any oil. After about another 1000 mi or so the level was slightly below the middle of the sight glass. I added 8 oz of oil and it brought the level to the middle. In the 2200 mi since ,I have not added a drop and the level has remained there. This is my 4th oil head and in my experience I have found that if the thing is overfull , just run it awhile and the level will drop to where it likes to be, sort of a self leveling thing.
Oil consumption????
I ride an R1100RT and do my own serviceing. After hearing so much about Oilhead "BURNING" so much oil I begail to wonder why. After some thinking I realize that most of you have the dealer change the oil. I wonder how many of you ask the Service Man how much oil was drained from the Air Box?? Thats where most of my oil goes, Not in blue smoke out the exhaust.
Just wondering along the road. Bones
I ride an R1100RT and do my own serviceing. After hearing so much about Oilhead "BURNING" so much oil I begail to wonder why. After some thinking I realize that most of you have the dealer change the oil. I wonder how many of you ask the Service Man how much oil was drained from the Air Box?? Thats where most of my oil goes, Not in blue smoke out the exhaust.
Just wondering along the road. Bones
globalrider
Alps Adventurer
Mr. Frank said:
I own 5 BMW motorcycles at the moment. I don't know what it is with BMW motorcycles, buy my R65 and R100 GS consume oil. My R27 and R80 G/S PD are parked, so I can't comment on them.
I can't comment on the new GS Adventure that I picked up today, but I sure hope these high tech wonders with all that high tech manufacturing are better.
My Kawasaki KLR 650 and Honda CR-V don't consume a drop of oil between oil changes and the BMW 318is that I once owned didn't consume any oil either, so I don't know what it is with their bikes: too high an oil level? why would they do that?
OK, Let me ask this, how many of you know that there is a 2nd chamber below the air filter chamber? It's sole purpose is to catch crankcase vented oil vapors. It also has its own little drain plug.
On my trike, when it gets purddy fill, its fun to make a sharp turn. Then the oil gets up into the intake aera and there is a smoke screen for about a 1/4 mile.
Just curious. Bones,
On my trike, when it gets purddy fill, its fun to make a sharp turn. Then the oil gets up into the intake aera and there is a smoke screen for about a 1/4 mile.
Just curious. Bones,
Last edited:
saab93driver
tudo beleza
Bones said:OK, Let me ask this, how many of you know that there is a 2nd chamber below the air filter chamber? It's sole purpose is to catch crankcase vented oil vapors. It also has its own little drain plug.
....
Just curious. Bones,
I'm aware of it. Don't let it get that full otherwise you crud up the TB's with oil goop and then it goes in the engine and turns into carbon buildup. You might be filling your oil too full or you have too much blow bye past the rings. Later bikes (97+??) have a redesinged breather system which was supposed to help reduce the vapors.
saab93driver
tudo beleza
None on my 1150RS either in 10K miles!
Ok, Saab & Hack and the rest of Ya, another curious Question. Most of my Riding has consisted of 5-7 hundred miles/day at 75-85 on the slab lately, getting to various rallys. I find that this is when the reservour gets the most volume. I also run at a higher RPM than stock due to the trike conversion. When I'm on the back roads at a litttle slower pace, the volume seem to decrease.So! Got any comparisons that we can tie together?
Input is Data for demented Minds.
Just finished replacing the Head, Piston, Valves, Cam & Sprocket On the R-1100RT/Trike (it swallowed a valve) and am ready for Charleston! Hope to see ya all there!!
Bones, aka; Jim Post
