Another oil consumption question

[Joepi5]

Hello!

Currently I'm on my first multi day trip with the GS and I'm not really sure if my oil consumption is high or not. In around 500 miles I lost about 1/4 of level in the sight glass, is this excessive? It's a 2010 camhead with about 35k miles on it.

Does the oil drop to a certain level and then stay there? This is what my previous bike dod anyway. I measure the level according to the owners manual.

Should I always carry a spare bottle of oil with me?

 

[Popell]

My 05 use to use a little oil, no smoke and no visible leak, when I needed some on Spanish tour, I just bought some at a fuel stop.
Dry clutch so pretty much anything slippy will suffice in an emergency.
If you lose a quarter in 500 miles, then you’ve got a couple of thousand before going below lower limit, prob good practice to check every few days (along with other sensible checks before the days ride…

 

[JJH]

It’s not necessarily to carry spare oil. Oil is available in many places. Unless you’re going somewhere where there isn’t any civilisation. The question of oil type and consumption is a regular one on here. Ride enjoy and buy oil when you need it. JJH

 

[Slipperyeel]

I have the same bike and regularly do 2k mile commutes. In a year of 4-5 of those, I change the oil religiously every year and in that time, while keeping an eye on it of course, it settles to midway of the sight glass and barely drops past that until the next oil change.

In short, if you can see it in the sight glass, don't worry .

Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk

 

[Santa-2512]

2006 & 2011 both use about a litre in about 6k miles roughly half litre every 6 months
Daily use & two tours a year

 

[JonnyBravo]

I have the secret stash oil bottle on my 2011 GSA. It’s never been needed or used even with the most arduous of hot off road use around Spain or long distance trip around Europe.
It burns a bit but nothing that isn’t rectified every 6k miles when I always change the oil.

So, use and enjoy and don’t worry about it.
Worst case, a quick top up at any old petrol station from a 1litre bottle of whatever’s cheap oil.
The bike will tell you if it needs it !
Mine did when new, it did need oil when running in and it only had about 2000 miles on it. Never again since.

Happy travels

 

[botus]

Hello!

Currently I'm on my first multi day trip with the GS and I'm not really sure if my oil consumption is high or not. In around 500 miles I lost about 1/4 of level in the sight glass, is this excessive? It's a 2010 camhead with about 35k miles on it.

Does the oil drop to a certain level and then stay there? This is what my previous bike dod anyway. I measure the level according to the owners manual.

Should I always carry a spare bottle of oil with me?

on the older 1200 at circa 15k miles I once did 500 miles at 90 mph through France in a day at circa 30C ambient and it used a litre - never used a drop before or since, now at 41k

of course if its using it, it can't magically stop - in fact it tends to increase - as the less oil, the harder the oil left has to work - so gets hotter and more tired which can lead to total engine failure when the oil breakdowns and gives up

buy posh brand bike oil and try to 15W50 if doing long fast runs

riding too gently means piston rings forget what their job is - the combustion pressures of hard use (once fully warmed up) help piston rings remember what they are meant to do - at least once a week rag it to death for a few miles

my other one a 2011 GSA TC somehow breathes badly and pukes its oil back in the air box - but everything is clean as a whistle and its only done 10k - I suspect the last owner rode like a girl - so it might be the rings not sealing correctly - but really I think its an engine breather issue, the older HEX never gets anything in the air box

another owner backed up the misfire and oil in the air box issues on a twin cam....

Should I always carry a spare bottle of oil with me?

yes ! if on a long trip and hot temps - air cooled bikes give oil a hard life - the cost of oil at fuel stops is stupid money and you need to top it up when it needs it - which might not be a fuel stop

 

[Steptoe]

I have the secret stash oil bottle on my 2011 GSA.

Must people don’t even know that exists ..
Under the front panel on the R/H side tucked into the tank

 

[TLSgazza]

Must people don’t even know that exists ..
Under the front panel on the R/H side tucked into the tank

My 2006 doesn't have the the space in the tank for one. I've said in the past I wonder if it gives me extra fuel capacity as I have on quite a few occasions fitted almost 37 litres in when brimming the tank from almost empty.

 

[JJH]

My 2006 doesn't have the the space in the rank for one. I've said in the past I wonder if it gives me extra fuel capacity as I have on quite a few occasions fitted almost 37 litres in when brimming the tank from almost empty.

I’ve done the same. 37 litres into a claimed 33 liter tank. Much to the astonishment of many a cashier. Sorry I sold that bike. Like most of my previous bikes I wish I wish. JJH

 

[Joepi5]

Thanks to everyone for the replies! This first trip involves "Ragging it to death" as Botus prescribed. And also it's hot, 32°c today near the Nurbürgring.

I'm also guessing the previous owner did do this as the average fuel consumption was at 60 mpg while I struggle keeping it around 50 mpg.

I will worry less about it and fill when needed.

 

[Slime Bomb]

Must people don’t even know that exists ..
Under the front panel on the R/H side tucked into the tank

You got a picture of that?

 

[JonnyBravo]

Here you go

 

[Slime Bomb]

Found it and done it. Cheers for that Jonny.

 

[er-minio]

Resurrecting the thread.

Here you go

How is the bracket held in place?
My hex as just turned 130.000km and it does burn a fair bit of oil nowadays, sadly. I suspect rings are the next big job coming.

Last summer I bought a Primus fuel bottle (0.3) and put some oil in it when traveling. I kept it inside the left pannier (wrapped in a plastic bag) where my tools, waterproof and other random crap was.
The seal on those bottles is very good and they do not leak at all... but still I'm not super happy to keep it inside the alus.

This year I upgraded to a larger 0.6l bottle (last summer 0.3 wasn't enough and had to buy some oil on the way) and I am trying to find ways/places were to safely fix it (without drilling the alu panniers).
A couple of friend use the charcoal void under the tank, as you do, but I never really investigated how to fix a bottle there.

I'll have a look at other fixing points around the bike and rear rack coming week, but open to suggestions

 

[Slipperyeel]

Resurrecting the thread.



How is the bracket held in place?
My hex as just turned 130.000km and it does burn a fair bit of oil nowadays, sadly. I suspect rings are the next big job coming.

Last summer I bought a Primus fuel bottle (0.3) and put some oil in it when traveling. I kept it inside the left pannier (wrapped in a plastic bag) where my tools, waterproof and other random crap was.
The seal on those bottles is very good and they do not leak at all... but still I'm not super happy to keep it inside the alus.

This year I upgraded to a larger 0.6l bottle (last summer 0.3 wasn't enough and had to buy some oil on the way) and I am trying to find ways/places were to safely fix it (without drilling the alu panniers).
A couple of friend use the charcoal void under the tank, as you do, but I never really investigated how to fix a bottle there.

I'll have a look at other fixing points around the bike and rear rack coming week, but open to suggestions

There should be brass inserts imbedded into the tank, either side of the little bottle recess.
If you don't have those, bet happy to print you a couple of mounting lugs with inserts - you could stick them on with the correct double sided tape (which I also have)

 

[er-minio]

There should be brass inserts imbedded into the tank, either side of the little bottle recess.

Oh true. To hold the charcoal canister when present. Didn't think it through
Thanks!
I'll have a look tomorrow.

 

[JonnyBravo]

Kit comes with bottle, strap and two butterfly nuts to fit onto the brass threaded inserts.

 

[Slipperyeel]

A couple of shots that might add to the picture

 

[Joepi5]

A couple of shots that might add to the picture

Is this spot only present on the GSA's? I can't find the inserts on my standard GS. I did find some clips/plastic bracketery on the right side bottom of the tank.