What causes a bike to "use" oil?

[Amadeus]

I've got a R1250GS, bought from new, has about 4k miles on it.
It looks like it needs a little bit of a top-up - oil is about 1/2 way up/down sightglass. reading on here about oil and people saying that they never need to top up, why is that the case?
I guess there are a number of reasons why oil may be "used" - could be leaking (mine doesn't seem to be), burnt(?), anything else? Leaking could be a huge number of places where a seal isn't right (and can be fixed) but I get the impression that the running in can impact it.

Thanks

 

[spoonz]

Mine is always near halfway down the sight glass even after a service. Dealer showed me a service bulletin re keeping it there to reduce clutch drag. Don’t know if it applies to the 1250.

Also new engines often use a bit of oil until the rings bed in fully. Would need to use a lot more than that over 4K to be a problem

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Seems absolutely perfect, someone at BMW done it right for once.

 

[Amadeus]

Thanks for that. I'll not add any more for now then but just keep a close eye on it.

I'd expected that the rings would have bedded in after 4k miles but I've learned something - thanks!

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Thanks for that. I'll not add any more for now then but just keep a close eye on it.

I'd expected that the rings would have bedded in after 4k miles but I've learned something - thanks!

Simple check go for a ride, to warm engine up, then stop on flat surface, put bike on centerstand, and wait 5 minutes, then look at sight glass, as explained in the BMW bible...

 

[Amadeus]

Seems absolutely perfect, someone at BMW done it right for once.

Thanks for that. Something that I had in my head (but I didn't put in my original question ) was that I *thought* it was right at the top of the glass when I looked about 1200 miles ago. But I might be wrong.

On the face of it tho, it does indeed look perfect now; I'll just keep an eye on it and see whether it moves.

I'm still interested (idle curiosity) in the reasons a bike would use oil. I've added the rings not being bedded in to my list so far.

 

[Amadeus]

Simple check go for a ride, to warm engine up, then stop on flat surface, put bike on centerstand, and wait 5 minutes, then look at sight glass, as explained in the BMW bible...

Yup, thanks; did that to get to were I am now. Just trying to add to my (limited) knowledge.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Thanks for that. Something that I had in my head (but I didn't put in my original question ) was that I *thought* it was right at the top of the glass when I looked about 1200 miles ago. But I might be wrong.

On the face of it tho, it does indeed look perfect now; I'll just keep an eye on it and see whether it moves.

I'm still interested (idle curiosity) in the reasons a bike would use oil. I've added the rings not being bedded in to my list so far.

Do not worry about the rings they will be fine, just make sure you check on centerstand and not sidestand.

 

[spoonz]

Ring bedding has a lot to do with the running in process. It is possible to be too gentle but less of a problem now that bikes are run on dyno’s at the factory.

 

[beaver]

run it in too slow and they will burn oil... you need to push the rings out the bed in.... my pre-owned 2015 used to use a bit, ragged the arse off it for 1000 miles, problem solved

 

[Nutty]

Do not worry about the rings they will be fine, just make sure you check on centerstand and not sidestand.

He’ll be in for a shock if checking on the sidestand, as there’ll be no oil in the window!

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

He’ll be in for a shock if checking on the sidestand, as there’ll be no oil in the window!

Exactly that, I for-seen BMW recovery on the way.

 

[abraxas]

Bear in mind the temperature too. That one is easy to forget. The reading will be very different cold vs hot.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Bear in mind the temperature too. That one is easy to forget. The reading will be very different cold vs hot.

Should be checked when engine is warmed up, 5 minutes after stopping.

 

[abraxas]

Should be checked when engine is warmed up, 5 minutes after stopping.

Absolutely. Up to temp + a bit of time to let it drain down and settle. I was underlining the bit about the temp you already mentioned Bob.

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Absolutely. Up to temp + a bit of time to let it drain down and settle. I was underlining the bit about the temp you already mentioned Bob.

just checking you where paying attention.

 

[Carlosfandango]

I ran mine in during a track day at Rockingham, hardly used any oil in over 10,000 miles since

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

I ran mine in during a track day at Rockingham, hardly used any oil in over 10,000 miles since

Yep give it a good raz, tis what I done but up and down mountains.

 

[ChazzyB]

Bear in mind the temperature too. That one is easy to forget. The reading will be very different cold vs hot.

The oil level in mine doesn't change between 5 minutes after getting home from a ride and stone cold the next morning. I had always believed the 5 minutes bit was to allow time for oil to drain back to the sump.

 

[M30SJM]

Dont forget also, that the way you ride can effect oil consumption. If you keep the revs higher and bang it down through the box rather than using the brakes can cause a bit of oil to be burnt.
I very rarely let my revs drop below say 4000 and using the gsap bang it right down the gears, only pulling the lever when absolutely necessary. Mine has now done 33,000 miles, and does use a little bit of oil, but nothing of any concern.
Stu