R1150 fluctuation in oil level?

[cyclesteve]

Ok so I took the plunge and got a R1150GS Adventure . I am used to Jap bikes not ever using oil. I check the oil level on the GS very regularly. My question is that it seems to be at different levels. I can check oil after a ride and its low,add a bit and it looks fine. Take a ride and then the level is high. Help. I am not used to this and am wondering what to do not to cause dammage to my new favorite bike.

 

[JERRY]

first off- relax, if you did nothing the bike would be fine.
been many threads on this, check around and you'll find different suggestions.
first of all find a benchmark in the sightglass that works for you. ask your dealer and/or wait till you change it. i use 1/2 way between the center dot and the top line.
then you have to be consistent on how you check it; bring it home hot, leave it running, put on center stand, turn off, come back 15-20 min. later and see where it's at.
good luck with your new bike.

 

[luisvrockster]

Don't forget engine temp

Don't forget to check the oil level when the engine is HOT not cold. Use the center stand when checking the oil level. I usually check the oil level after 3 to 4 refuels or during refuling after some "spirited" riding like + 85mph for 50 or so miles.

Enjoy the bike!

 

[GIZMO]

I am told by the wrenches where I have my GS serviced that the level should be at the center point in the sight glass and to check it in the morning after it sits over night. I have only had it a short time but I check it no sooner than 15 minutes after riding it and again in the AM before departing. It has consistently stayed at that point. It did drop ever so slightly once in 1000 miles and I added enough to bring it up to the mid way point where it has stayed over the last 500+ miles. When I had a R1100S I use to keep it between the halfway point and the dots at the top, closer to the top and was constantly adding oil. I think what was happening was the engine was finding it's own happy level which seems to be right at the halfway mark.

 

[JERRY]

Bruce,
if it works go for it. that's what i used to do with the K75, on the other hand the GS i have now will drop further overnight. many threads written on this, apparently it sneaks off to the oil cooler or some other mysterious location
also the recommended 4 qts. with filter at change will put mine at the top of the sightglass. i've split the difference and use 3.75 qts.. as i said earlier; find what works for you and stay with it.
the amount of oil being talked tween this point and that point will never make any difference to that big 'ol 1150.

 

[GIZMO]

Bruce,
if it works go for it. that's what i used to do with the K75, on the other hand the GS i have now will drop further overnight. many threads written on this, apparently it sneaks off to the oil cooler or some other mysterious location
also the recommended 4 qts. with filter at change will put mine at the top of the sightglass. i've split the difference and use 3.75 qts.. as i said earlier; find what works for you and stay with it.
the amount of oil being talked tween this point and that point will never make any difference to that big 'ol 1150.

Hi Jerry,

That is probably why the wrench at my dealer said to check it in the AM, because some levels tend to drop overnight.
I have not done an oil change yet as it is new and the dealer did it at 600 miles. The half way point is where they had it, so I do not know how many quarts they used. Will find out when I do my own oil changes. It will be interesting to see what I find and it is interesting that there are so many different scenarios.

 

[cyclesteve]

I changed mine this weekend and it was almost at the top of the sightgalss with the 4 qts. I will take to Deals gap and the skyway this weekend and do some spirited riding. i will see then how much it consumes.

 

[LORAZEPAM]

This should get a grin, I put my bike on the sidestand for about 5 minutes after riding, then onto the center stand to check the oil level. When I put it on the center stand right away, the oil level would be different after a short ride. now that I have done the sidestand act with it, I have found that the oil level is consistant every time I check it. My 850R doesnt use enough oil in the 6k mile intervals I go between changes to ever add any. It stays right at the top of the sight glass. It also has almost 49k on the odo.