| Author | Message | ||
     Jraice |
Hey guys... First off, I heard its best to check oil 10 mins after a ride, it will apparently read low if you check right after riding...? Second, just to confirm, you check the oil with the bike on the sidestand, currect? Anyways... I am breaking my bike in in a medium way, not full on moto-man rough but I am going to increasingly start giving it more rev's and more gas. Seems like from my research a lot of people change the oil a few times in the first 1000 miles. Some even at 50 miles, then 250, 500 etc... My dealer said that will hurt the motor and that the engine needs to have the initial worn oil to break-in properly and get the most power. I was pretty set on changing it once or twice but he was so convincing that I am tempted not to. Also, I am going to be using Royal Purple in the engine and probably Formula+ in the primary (afraid of stator problems) when I do my 1000 mile service, which I am going to probably have the dealer do just because they recommend it and I want to make sure this bike is taken good care of.... I will still do 2,500 mile oil changes and maybe the 5,000 mile service. Is there any belief that 1000 miles is to early to switch to synthetic? Thanks guys! | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Check the oil when the bike is hot, on the sidestand. I don't know about using royal purple, oil is sort of like religion. Everyone has a different idea. Me: after the 1000 mile service I have only used syn3 in both holes, except for a brief stint with Amsoil as that is all I had. | ||
| Boney95 |
I went to syn at 1k, as per dealer recomendation. Formula ± in the primary. I did change both fluids once at 350. Do what ever you want to gain a piece of mind. | ||
| Jraice |
So what about the rumor that its best to wait 10 minutes after returning from your ride before checking oil level...? | ||
| Akbuell |
Both the owners manual and service manual for my '08 TT advise riding for at least 10 mins to be sure the oil is warm, then check the level. As others have said, on a level surface. Remove the dipstick, wipe off, and screw it back in. Remove, and check the level. I usually pull to a stop, and check right after taking off gloves, helmet, ect. And I waited until 1k miles to change the oil and filter. That's what the book advises, and I figure Erik and the elves know what they are doing. Hope this helps, Dave | ||
| Jraice |
Thanks... I just read AFTER riding you should wait 10 minutes for the oil to settle or something otherwise it will read low and you will overfill, but I guess its best to check right after riding. And yeah I was planning to change oil before 1000 miles but as of Sat decided Ill leave it in there until later. | ||
| Union_man |
+1 to Synthetic Changed to it @ 5000 miles and I think the motor is running a bit cooler. Fan seems to shut down sooner when parked. | ||
| Andymnelson |
- check oil when it's good and warm - wait 10 minutes (or a bit less) after a ride to check it - side stand is OK - level ground is important - I run Royal Purple 20 50 in both holes with no issues (I've used RP in all my bikes). The transmission is silky smooth with it, and the fan runs MUCH less, making me assume that it runs cooler. - factory recommendations are MINIMUM suggested service levels. I choose to do more than the minimum on my vehicles, you need to do whatever gives you peace of mind for how you maintain your bike. I like to change oil ~every 2000 miles. - everything I have always read says wait until 1000 miles to change to synthetic. Since I believe everything I read online, i would wait until 1000 miles. | ||
| Fast1075 |
It is my belief that on at least SOME of the bikes where people complain of excessive oil consumption....the root cause is prematurely switching to synthetic....before the pistons/rings/cylinders are fully seated. | ||
| Roysbuell |
I also use Royal purple. After seeing a demonstration at the car show I attended. The guy was right across from my car and I told him it was some kind of trick so he performed the test with Royal purple then I pulled out some oil that I use on the Mustang I used to race turned show car and although my oil did way better then the conventional oil he was using for the test Royal Purple beat it in that grind test he was performing. | ||
| Boltrider |
Some folks have had problems with drain-back into the crankcase. Mine does this a little if I wait, so I check the oil as soon as I take my gloves and helmet off. | ||
| Old_man |
I would stay with regular oil until 1000mi. To let the pieces wear into each other. Then go with a good synthetic. | ||
| Jraice |
So am I safe staying with regular oil until 1000 miles or should I go a bit further? And here is my concern as now just in this thread I have heard both things. One person said to check oil immedietly, the other said to wait 10 mins... When topping off how do you check the effect it had on the bike? Start it up again for a few minutes? And yeah I am starting to think its better to use the HD stuff in the primary due to the stator but I am definetly going Royal Purple in the engine. | ||
| Jraice |
Im planning to keep to regular until 1000 and probably not going to do any dino changes before then... My only concern right now is how to check the oil. Right after a ride or 10min later... | ||
| Kowpow225 |
I'd assume the 10 minute rule is on a wet sump engine where it would allow the oil up in the engine to drain back into the pan. Your Buell has a dry sump so I would assume it is not necessary. Hey at least you're checking it right?! | ||
| Old_man |
It should be checked, on the sidestand, while hot. I let the bike sit awhile to be sure the oil settles in the swingarm. A minute or two. | ||
| Jraice |
Just to confirm, after wiping down the dip stick you fully thread it in and remove to check? I know I know, look in the manual, im to lazy  . Just asking because on my last bike you didnt screw it back in, just pushed it in and pulled it out. Checked mine tonight, was around 1/8" maybe 1/4" from being under the marks... Need to buy some oil and top it off with 100ml or so. | ||
| Old_man |
Fully thread it back in. | ||
| Jraice |
Thanks! | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Always use motor oil. | ||
| Saratoga |
Be aware that some of the 09's will drain back instantly when you shut it down... they are easy to over fill (and you'll know it when your left leg gets covered in oil). I've found that shutting down, re-starting for a minute and shutting down again before instantly checking the level works best for me. | ||
| Jraice |
I was actually just reading about that problem last night. How is that any different then just shutting down after the ride and checking immidietly? | ||
| Big_b |
If I check my 09 after 2min with it shut off it will read low. I have learned to get an accurate reading, I have to get off the bike with it running and get everything ready to check it. Then turn it off and check the oil level right away. I've also been told not to add any oil unless it is below the low mark. Since I have been checking it this way it has never been low. At first I thought I was using oil, but after some research I have found out a lot of the 08-09's drain back like this. | ||
| G234146 |
You can't go wrong with changing the oil often. I just changed my Tranny oil after 8k. that stuff was BLACK! should of done it @ the 5k mark. Pardon me, fellow Buellers, I should've proofed my post before posting (Message edited by g234146 on March 25, 2009) | ||
| Big_b |
You can or can not? | ||
| Jraice |
Thanks guys sounds like the best way to do it is leave it running, get ready and check immedietly after shut down. After my next ride Ill play around with it a bit more and see if mine drains as bad as most people. | ||
| Boney95 |
+1 to Big b. This is exactly how I check my 08, other wise it will read low. | ||
| Jraice |
Been doing it the Big b method for my last two rides. Tonight I pulled it out the first time and it was just below empty, but then tested it twice more (first one was done within 5 seconds of cutting the engine) and it was around 1/4" above, same as yesterday evening. I am going to buy some oil and add just a tad bit ASAP, and I also want to play around with it more and see how much it goes down after 2, 5, 10 etc... minutes and see if my bike is as bad as most of you guys. I am trying to get in the habit of checking it after every ride, is that what most of you do? Better safe then sorry... Was also thinking I could do it every fuel change, just something to make sure I am reminded to do it. | ||
| Andymnelson |
Where in the world did you get the idea that you need to check it after every ride??? Even every fuel up is excessive. I check mine every 500-600 miles, and almost never need to add any between oil changes (2000-2500 miles. | ||
| Jraice |
Im not sure... Sounds like I'm a loony and can alter my technique  . I guess Ill just grab a bit more oil, add 100ml or so to get it closer to the 1/3-1/2 mark and then start checking every 500 miles. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I usually check my oil about once every 3 weeks, or before and after any long ride (200+ miles) If you are riding the bike hard, or in high ambient temperatures you need to check it more frequent. |
