Oil Level - don't shoot me because I mention the O word!

[rjsmith26]

Whats everyones view on oil level?

Bought a GS1200adv from a BMW dealer last year with oil right at top of sight glass, 3k later 80% of glass covered and service due.

Decided to go to local independent for 6k service (BVM Stroud) and was advised always aim to run with oil in middle of sight glass when bike is stone cold.

Whats everyone else's approach to both "the level check" (do you do the BMW 5 minute check or a cold check).

Do you also keep it banging on the top of the sight glass or middling?

All thoughts, piss takes and observations welcome?

 

[Keith Chapman]

Check your oil level whichever way you feel happy with, just do it the same way every time.

 

[thebiker]

I was puzzled by the same confilciting advice - now check it on level ground after 15 mins then when cold - on my 04 1200 it is the same just below the top of the sight glass.
Read on here as long as you see oil its OK.

Bear in mind only been a GS owner since May.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Middle, every time

 

[John Armstrong]

Another one for middle as then you can see if it's overfull or below the sight glass.

Consistency is the name of the game when checking it. Now I do it just after filling up with fuel, assuming it's been at running temp for a few miles. Always do that on the centre stand, and it gives about 5 minutes for the oil to settle, and petrol station forecourts tend to be fairly level.

YMMV

 

[snerkler]

I always check it using the BMW recommended method, ie engine at full running temperature, and having been left stood for 5 mins. I personally don't know why other folk listen to anyone else, surely the people who make the bike know what's best for it Why do others think they know better than a company who spends a whole heap of money on R&D and testing?

As for the sight glass, I always fill mine up to full, wait for it to drop to near min and then top it up to full again. At the end of the day if it's between min and max it's still within normal operating limits and so is just fine and dandy

 

[Stretchamus]

When I bought mine new, it was just under the thin red line at the top of the sight glass when hot.

When it went in for its 1st service it came out with the oil half way down the sight glass when hot.

I topped it up to just under the thin red line as it was from new and thats were it stays.

Just 2p's worth, Stretch

 

[Toad]

As long as it's somewhere in the glass it should be ok.