How often do you check oil level?

[red1]

I know the anal answer to the question is daily but honestly how often do you check your oil level.

I'll start I can't remember the last time I checked my oil level. Had Hondas previously and never checked sight glass, just had 4K services with oil changes and oil levels were never down. Last bike was K12GT with "OK" display and now 12GSA with same display. Do you trust the display?

 

[Rushy]

I know the anal answer to the question is daily but honestly how often do you check your oil level.

I'll start I can't remember the last time I checked my oil level. Had Hondas previously and never checked sight glass, just had 4K services with oil changes and oil levels were never down. Last bike was K12GT with "OK" display and now 12GSA with same display. Do you trust the display?

I think that I wouldn't have a problem trusting your display

 

[VAL. H.]

It should be noted that the BW boxer engine will use more oil than a straight four. where you have not needed to be overly aware of levels in you past bikes, you DO need to keep quite a close eye on the 12GSA.

I have done 48000 + on my 1200GS and have noticed that the bike will use different amounts or oil for different types or riding.

I've learned to keep a close eye on the level, and to always take oil with me when going on trips of more than a couple of days (the bike used 3/4lt on our two week 2700mls trip to the Alps).

As for how often to check, I try to remember to do this each time I take the bike out. I keep the bike on it's main stand in one spot in my garage and have a quick look at the level before starting.

Val.

 

[spock]

what sight glass!

 

[Stevie73]

what oil

 

[VAL. H.]

what sight glass!

If you have't found the sight glass yet then God help you

 

[Slowdown]

what oil

After you've been lynched, can I have your wheels?

 

[Dainese Brave]

When the bike is in constant use I check the oil regularly, via the sight glass mainly, and only use the oil warning as a last resort!

The engine uses oil, and it’s something you should be mindful of……I’ve done thousands of miles on a Pan European and never used a drop of oil……on the GS I’ve gone through a litre+!

My first warning that a check is a little overdue is mine seems to run a little hotter……but never know if that is physiological as I get to the stage where I should have checked the oil by now!!

As a rule…I check the oil every 1,000 to 2,000 miles.

I also follow the routine in the manual quite rigidly….i.e. making sure the engine is fully warm, then left for 5 minutes, and then read…..I always think it is too easy to over-fill it without doing this.

Hope this helps.

 

[judys boy]

judys boy

about twice a week as i use the bike at least 6 times a week. Like you i think that it should be like the honda's that i have had in the past.

 

[Fanum]

When the bike is in constant use I check the oil regularly, via the sight glass mainly, and only use the oil warning as a last resort!

Is the 'oil warning' on a 1200 different from that of thee 11xx?

On the 11's, it's not an oil level warning, it's an oil pressure warning which is entirely different.....if you get the light going on with an 11 and it's down to the level being insufficient, it's probably too late

(It can also come on for other reasons with plenty of oil in the bike)

 

[davedyer]

Is the 'oil warning' on a 1200 different from that of thee 11xx?

It's part of the optional computer. When the bike is up to temp and is stationary, with the engine running, the 'time' display is replaced with an 'OK' if the oil level is alright. But the manual does warn against using this instead of the sight-glass.

 

[Fanum]

It's part of the optional computer. When the bike is up to temp and is stationary the 'time' display is replaced with an 'OK' if the oil level is alright. But the manual does warn against using this instead of the sight-glass.

So it is based on level not pressure?

Do you have any sort of low pressure warning as well?

Only reason I'm wondering is that they are very different things and if people are misinterpreting them, it could cause problems

 

[red1]

So it is based on level not pressure?

Do you have any sort of low pressure warning as well?

Only reason I'm wondering is that they are very different things and if people are misinterpreting them, it could cause problems

Yes it's 2 separate warnings.

 

[Fanum]

Yes it's 2 separate warnings.

Cheers

 

[Dainese Brave]

Is the 'oil warning' on a 1200 different from that of thee 11xx?

On the 11's, it's not an oil level warning, it's an oil pressure warning which is entirely different.....if you get the light going on with an 11 and it's down to the level being insufficient, it's probably too late

(It can also come on for other reasons with plenty of oil in the bike)

The GSA I have has a computer fitted, which on that gives you a reading warning of Low Oil Level.....I'm not sure if this is a feature on bikes without computers, or GS1200's ....but it is level not pressure related.

 

[LittleMark]

Being honest, I check it about once a month. It's just below the half way at the moment so off to top it up now.
Was watching it almost daily when I first bought the thing as it ate oil for the first 4000 miles (even had the oil warning appear light in the middle of Romania and had to pour a load of a mates synthetic stuff in to get me to the next garage that stocked the stodgy stuff). But since about 6k miles I've been lax as it seems to be eating less and less, so I check less.

 

[patboy]

Got to admit, I tend to check once a week, mine is an 05 and since I have had the bike, it has not used alot of oil. A mate of mine at work had one and he was always putting oil into it, so much he got rid of it and bought a Yamaha Tourer. I think some Gs's use more oil than others depends how they were run in etc. The luck of the draw