Oil top up

How often do you guys need to top up the oil in your SV's?

Mines just got to 1600 miles (3 months old) and it seems to be getting close to the 'low' mark so I need to top it up a bit, just wondered how often it needs this doing. There's no signs of leaks anywhere so I guess it's just normal usage.

Mike.

I do so many miles that services happen before I can leak any oil

That said, the bike was sat for a couple of days (5 in total I think) at the start of this week. I checked it out a few hours before riding it. Started the engine, let it warm, shut it down, waited a good 5 mins, checked oil. What? No oil?!?! (as in, nothing in the sight glass). Waited another 5mins. Still no oil.

Bugger me, right, put some in then.

That's the only time I've put any in, other than services, and my bike is just shy of 16k miles (I've had it from new).

[Biker Biggles]

If you do a search on here you will find a good few posts made by people who have not checked their oil regularly and then blown up their engines.Very expensive.Engines vary greatly on how much oil they use so keep on top of it if you want the thing to last.

Suzuki could have made the job of checking the oil level easier by placing the window such that you could check the level when the bike is on the side stand. Or they could have fitted a centre stand like they did in the olden days. And what was wrong with dip stick/filler caps? It's quite a trick to hold the bike level and then bend over to check the oil - usually ask me dad while I'm sitting on it. Proper chore.

Bung a block of wood under your stand so the bike is closer to level, but not so close you have to worry about gusts of wind. If it's below the 'low' mark but you reckon it would be at or above it if the bike were truly level, put some oil in anyway.

Or get a paddock stand.

Originally Posted by Tildo

Suzuki could have made the job of checking the oil level easier by placing the window such that you could check the level when the bike is on the side stand. Or they could have fitted a centre stand like they did in the olden days. And what was wrong with dip stick/filler caps? It's quite a trick to hold the bike level and then bend over to check the oil - usually ask me dad while I'm sitting on it. Proper chore.

With a dip stick/ filler cap you still had to put the bike upright if I recollect and at least you don't have to worry "was that with the cap screwed in or just rested on top". Manufacturers used both options.

Yep, get a paddock stand but you need a new reference point as the oil will be at the front of the engine and so will completely fill the sight glass. If then you only fill it to full level mark, that will be too low.

Answer to your original question. My two have both used oil. But only when I ride enthusiastically.........

Always check oil level regularly. Twins are not like fours.

Thanks for the info. I think I've been riding a bit too enthusiastically ever since I got past the first service. The damn thing is just too much fun to drive slowly.

The oil is now topped up again so I'll keep an eye on how quickly it goes down. Checking the level is easy... just sit on the bike & make the kids look at the sight glass, they've got to have some purpose in life!

Mike.

i cant say that any of my bikes ever loose oil through burning.

my bike doesn't use any but it only has 9800K on the clock

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

i cant say that any of my bikes ever loose oil through burning.

Dunno where my oil goes to be honest.
I've ask the guys behind me if any evidence of burning and they say none. Nothing on my can. No leaks either. My theory is that it blows the oil up into the airbox when I'm in going for it mode, and the carbs vaporise it so effectively it can't be seen.