Oil Consumption

[Sea Level]

I ride a 2011 with about 2000 miles on it. At 800 miles it was changed over to Mobil 1 synthetic. My question is, what are you guys seeing for miles before needing to add oil? Also, are you seeing any drop in clutch or brake fluid over time?

[Conrad]

Not for me, no fluid loss at all.

[jayke]

On my 2008 and at almost 30K I've never added oil between oil changes.  I run good old dino.  I check it maybe every couple of months.

As the brake pads wear the level will drop.  It will come back up when you replace the pads.  I've never added clutch or brake fluid in four years either.

Enjoy your new bike and stop worrying

[CrashKLRtoConnie]

My Thoughts Regarding Fluid Level Drops:

You should see a drop in clutch and brake levels over time as the pads / rotors and clutch plates wear down (get thinner).

For many cars the engine oil consumption was deemed by the mfg as excessive was if you burned more than 1 qtr per 1,000 miles.

Any members of this forum see oil burning during long freeway touring trips?

I would not expect any front fork, rear drive oil loss or coolant loss unless you have a leak.

If you have a sealed battery, you should also not need to worry about battery fluid. (unless if goes flat and you let it freeze - crack)

I have never seem any bike I have owned burn any significant amount of oil, but I change the oil often and have never seen any blue oil smoke.

I have seen older HD and British Bikes burn significant levels of oil.

[Sea Level]

Enjoy your new bike and stop worrying

 

Just prepping for my trip in a few weeks from Boston to The Dragon and Beyond!

[JoeR]

I ride a 2011 with about 2000 miles on it. At 800 miles it was changed over to Mobil 1 synthetic. My question is, what are you guys seeing for miles before needing to add oil? Also, are you seeing any drop in clutch or brake fluid over time?

Never had to add oil between changes.  Brake fluid goes down according to how much pads wear.  If it's leaking, you'll see it on the wheel rims.  I've never had to add brake fluid between brake fluid changes.

[B.D.F.]

There usually is no need to add any oil between oil changes on most modern engines, the C-14 included.

The brake reservoir level will go down as the pads wear and the pistons have to extend to make up for that. You still should not have to add any fluid to either brake system even as the pads reach end- of- life. Remember that when you squeeze the pistons back into the calipers, that fluid will be driven back into the reservoir so don't overfill the brake reservoirs, especially when the pads are considerably worn.

The clutch hydraulics should not change level. The clutch actuation does not change as the clutch plates wear; the clutch always has the same amount of travel regardless of how far the pressure plate actually moves.

You should not need to carry any kind of extra fluid, and you should not have to worry or think about it on your trip. I look very occasionally to see that the oil level is somewhere in the sight glass, just to make sure the crankcase has sufficient oil in it. After that, no need to worry about any fluids other than air in the tires and even then you will be helped along by the on- board TPS sensors.

Brian

I ride a 2011 with about 2000 miles on it. At 800 miles it was changed over to Mobil 1 synthetic. My question is, what are you guys seeing for miles before needing to add oil? Also, are you seeing any drop in clutch or brake fluid over time?

[Restless]

There usually is no need to add any oil between oil changes on most modern engines, the C-14 included.

The brake reservoir level will go down as the pads wear and the pistons have to extend to make up for that. You still should not have to add any fluid to either brake system even as the pads reach end- of- life. Remember that when you squeeze the pistons back into the calipers, that fluid will be driven back into the reservoir so don't overfill the brake reservoirs, especially when the pads are considerably worn.

The clutch hydraulics should not change level. The clutch actuation does not change as the clutch plates wear; the clutch always has the same amount of travel regardless of how far the pressure plate actually moves.

You should not need to carry any kind of extra fluid, and you should not have to worry or think about it on your trip. I look very occasionally to see that the oil level is somewhere in the sight glass, just to make sure the crankcase has sufficient oil in it. After that, no need to worry about any fluids other than air in the tires and even then you will be helped along by the on- board TPS sensors.

Brian

+1 'Nuff said   

[lather]

My 08 has used a little oil from day one.  I need to add about 8 oz per 6000 miles to keep the oil level visible in the sight glass.  I use Shell Rotella 5w40 synthetic. I tried some Motul 10w40 MC oil to see if it would reduce consumption but the improvement was minimal.

[Y0ssarian]

Just prepping for my trip in a few weeks from Boston to The Dragon and Beyond!

276

[Sea Level]

276

It's a beautiful thing! I'm still soliciting for people to ride with on this trip!

[Rhino]

Zero reduction of engine oil between changes on my bike.

[koval68]

Not for me, no fluid loss at all.

Same here!

[B.D.F.]

Wow, sorry to hear that Conrad. How long has it been?

 

Brian

Not for me, no fluid loss at all.

[Conrad]

Wow, sorry to hear that Conrad. How long has it been?

 

Brian

*checks his watch*     

Funny guy you.

[S.Ga.Rider]

Mine hasnt used any in the 9k miles I have owned it.

[VirginiaJim]

*checks his watch*     

Funny guy you.

Both of you fit that description....