Oil use?

[bowdoctor]

Good day Is it my dum luck or do these 900 series engines use oil like every 3 to 400 miles I best check it then usully add a few onces just wondering Love the bike though just wondering?

[BajaRon]

Good day Is it my dum luck or do these 900 series engines use oil like every 3 to 400 miles I best check it then usully add a few onces just wondering Love the bike though just wondering?

You need to be sure you're not getting oil up in the air box. But yes, the 998 does use some oil, especially with less than 10,00 miles on it. Anything over 1 quart in 4,000 miles may indicate a problem. But if you ride hard at high RPM quite a bit then your oil consumption may be higher.

It also matters what oil you are using, to some degree.

[Bob Denman]

The Vee-Twins DO burn some... During a 4500 mile run between changes; I used to add about a half-quart of oil...
It's just their nature...

[SpyderAnn01]

I typically used a quart between oil changes on both of my 990s

[ralph12345678910]

I also have the 998cc and mine uses about 1/2 quart at 3,ooo miles with a 4ooo mile oil change, I check mine at about 500 miles each tyme

[ARtraveler]

x 4

[bowdoctor]

Good day Is it my dum luck or do these 900 series engines use oil like every 3 to 400 miles I best check it then usully add a few onces just wondering Love the bike though just wondering?

I guess I'm about normal then and thanks again

[Bob Denman]

I guess I'm about normal then and thanks again

I don't know if we're quite ready to say THAT about you...

[mudcruiserman]

I also have the 998cc and mine uses about 1/2 quart at 3,ooo miles with a 4ooo mile oil change, I check mine at about 500 miles each tyme

With a dry sump system does it really matter if the system goes down a half a quart or even close to a full quart? Does it warrant adding oil between changes? It seems to me all this concern over oil level is contrary to my understanding of how a dry sump system operates. Please educate me with facts not opinions. Thanks

[Chupaca]

I like to check the oil when I come in from a long ryde and top off. Most weekend rydes are about 300/400 miles and though I have over 32,000 miles it still uses oil. I ryde pretty hard and fast...

[jerpinoy]

Internal combustion engines uses oil and that's the reason why pistons have oil rings otherwise it will use more oil than neccesary.

[BajaRon]

With a dry sump system does it really matter if the system goes down a half a quart or even close to a full quart? Does it warrant adding oil between changes? It seems to me all this concern over oil level is contrary to my understanding of how a dry sump system operates. Please educate me with facts not opinions. Thanks

True, a dry sump system will always have plenty of oil to deliver to the oil pump. But oil volume also has a function. More volume gives oil more time between cycles (going back into the engine again). It also has more time to dissipate heat and recover from foaming. I don't think being down 1/2 quart is time to panic. But I would prefer not to run down a quart for extended periods if I didn't have to.

Not to mention that adding 1/2 quart (when needed) helps to freshen up the existing oil that may be getting a bit tired.

[Bob Denman]

Ron,
That's a VERY good point!

[BajaRon]

Ron,
That's a VERY good point!

I get lucky sometimes!

[Bob Denman]

I always say that I'm the living proof, that even a blind hog can still find the occasional acorn...
But I'd hate to insult you; by saying that you're also a Poster-Child for being lucky...

[GearHd]

Our 14 ST-L definitely uses oil. I've easily added a quart in the 3500 miles since the oil was changed.

[BajaRon]

Our 14 ST-L definitely uses oil. I've easily added a quart in the 3500 miles since the oil was changed.

If you had the service done at the dealership, you really don't know how much oil you burned unless you checked the oil level very soon after the service.

We all assume dealerships do the job right. And I wish that were true. But it is a common practice to put 4 quarts in at an oil change. But to bring an SM5/SE5 to the full mark it takes about 4.25 quarts. So you may have started 1/4 quart low.

[GearHd]

Good point. I don't believe I checked it after the service. At that point I wasn't even sure of the correct way to check it so I didn't bother until I read up on it.