using / burning oil

[DOM B]

hi any experienced there bike , using /burning .. its not alot but i checked my oil this evening and it was just at the minimum level on the glass .. thoughts anyone cheers ... k6 sv650s 1800 miles ??

cheers Dom \\:D/

[SV650Racer]

Its not abnormal for a bike to use oil, in fact its accepted by a fair few manufacturers for a bike to use a small amount.

Did you check the bike on the level with it upright and with the engine slightly warm. IE come back from a ride and leave for 15mins then check.

[jambo]

Without you stating you're 100% sure what the level was like to start with it's hard to know how much it's lost.

My SV burns a little, the ZX6R never seems to burn a drop.

Check once a week and note how much you're putting in so you never get surprised & caught out.

Jambo

[philbut]

My SV used to use a bit. Nothing to worry about but do make sure you keep an eye on it. As already said, check with a warm engine on a level surface.

[DOM B]

cheers guys ..
yes it was a school boy error / a tad lazy , on my behalf not checking the level before i went out , i used it yesterday it seems ok , though i will make sure i check it regular , i used to work for a bmw main dealer , and all the new cars do burn oil ... thats the way there made , i was hoping that may be the case with the bike .. as all my previous bikes did'nt ....

thanks again dom :smt026

[yorkie_chris]

If a bike is run in too gently it will always burn some oil.

As jambo says keep checking it and make a note of how much is used. I always check cold and don't see the fuss about checking it hot.

Checking hot, you don't know how much oil is still kicking about in the top end etc. meaning the reading is not consistent.

[appollo1]

i was always told to check oil when the engine is cold - that advice was both for a car and a bike as it has settled properly

[Jamiebridges123]

If a bike is run in too gently it will always burn some oil.

As jambo says keep checking it and make a note of how much is used. I always check cold and don't see the fuss about checking it hot.

Checking hot, you don't know how much oil is still kicking about in the top end etc. meaning the reading is not consistent.

May I ask your opinion on agressive (Ie short sharp bursts) running in?

And when I go to buy a new bike, for the first 25 miles I'd be totaly gentle. I'd then change the oil and filter. Then I'd start the "hard" running in process, giving it 60% throttle to 80% redline and letting it run back down on overrun... and change the oil and filter after 50 miles of that.

Since you're the technical guru here I was wondering what you'd think. :kiss:

[yorkie_chris]

Avoid high loads at low rpm i.e letting it chug up a hill "because the manual says 3000rpm is bad"

50 miles, occasionally let it rev up through first. Don't trill it off the limiter but a good 8 or 9k at half throttle or so. Then let it have its head up through more gears, obviously the higher ones make a greater demand on power. I'd probably go for letting loose with the throttle right up through 6th at about 300 miles.
I'd change the oil at 50 miles.

Obviously you need to take some care as there must be some degree of work hardening to gears etc in the motor. But, this is achieved by gradual loading. Hence why you don't let it chug and slap its chain and grumble at you by going at 2000rpm everywhere. Nor give it full beans right from the off.

Most important bit is making rings seal, and they won't unless it gets some revs and load. But not too much. And it doesn't take 600 miles.