Sight glass or dipstick?

[B-rent]

Inspired by a hilarious conversation with swriverstone this weekend about checking my oil, I didn't realize that having a dipstick on a motorcycle is uncommon. Or is it? I have a dipstick on my '06 Triumph Sprint, but every motorcycle in Scott's garage had a sight glass. (a Ducati ST3, Suzuki V-Strom and Suzuki KLR 650) Come to think of it, so did my Yamaha dirtbike growing up.

So, does your bike have a sight glass or dipstick for checking your oil?

[kevin_stevens]

So, does your bike have a sight glass or dipstick for checking your oil?

Yes.

KeS

[Playinthestreet]

Tiger has a dipstick, Sprint has a sight glass.

[Rincewind]

Tiger has a dipstick

Wish it had a sight glass.

[mike goodwin]

I have never owned a motorcycle that used a dipstick.
I much prefer to see my oil level at a glance.

[R Doug]

The only bike I've owed with a dip stick is a Triumph.  All others, except the KTM, had a sight glass.  KTM calls it a sight glass, but it's more like a clear plastic tube. Nevertheless, it's the same principle.

[Orson]

My V11 has a shiny black dip stick, the same color as motor oil   It's extremely difficult to read in direct sunlight. To read it, you need to find a subterranean parking garage with an open door. Park at the far end of the garage, slowly unscrew the dipstick. Hold it up with the garage door behind you providing ambient lighting, and you should get an accurate reading  

These are the things only a mother could love  

[Bjorn Toulouse]

All of my motorcycles have a dipstick.


Rex

[maddjack]

i have one of each ,triumph is a dipstick check,kawa the glass

[zer0netgain]

Dipstick....wish it was a sightglass.  Easier to check.

[slowduc]

sightglass on the duc... makes the pre-ride check that much easier

[rabbott5]

If Connie has oil in the glass, all is well.  First thing I look at before all the other checks.  If it works don't fix it.

[bahwolf]

ZZR -- sight glass
CBR -- sight glass
Hyper -- sight glass
Tiger -- dip
Dakar -- dip
CRF450 -- dip
CRF230 -- I can't remember, but probably a dip
My daughter's DR-Z125 -- sight glass

[et]

'04 SV650S - sight glass
'00 GSXR-750 - sight glass
'89 GS500E - dipstick
'86 GSXR-750RG - two sight glasses

All my earlier motorcycles; '7? CL350, '7? GS750, '7? CB400-FOUR, and possible my '87 Honda Hurricane; all had dipsticks.
I prefer sight glasses.

[Bodhi]

Dipsticks are for lawnmowers.

[blackbeltrider]

All of my motorcycles used to have a dipstick, but I smartened up a lot as I grew older.

[kitkat]

I have one dip & two sightglasses.  prefer the sightglass even though i have to use a flashlight half the time to read it. dipsticks are messy--ought to call em DRIPSTICKS.

[MadMax96]

My friend's '79 Honda CB750F had a dipstick and I would imagine the 82 CB900F he had did also...

All of the Suzukis I've owned had sightglasses though, which I prefer.

[tigertim955]

The Scrambler and Duc have windows , the Beezer has a dipstick ( dry sump ~ hopefully~ therefore it has a separate oil tank ) I prefer the stick.

[black hills]

The CBR has a sight glass, the KTM has a bolt you remove. If oil runs out it's full, if not it's not . I like the sight glass

[B-rent]

All of my motorcycles used to have a dipstick, but I smartened up a lot as I grew older.

 

Alright, well from the looks of it, many motorcycles had dipsticks prior to 1980. Some European manufacturers, like Triumph and BMW, still use dips. Everyone else has gone to sight glasses.

I prefer sightglasses too, but Scott (swriverstone) had a point I hadn't thought of, that dipsticks are more accurate.

[birdrunner]

The Blackbird has a dipstick, which I like.

I hated the sight glass on my GSXR,  couldn't read it from the saddle.

[dm_gsxr]

The Harley had dipsticks. All of our current bikes have sightglasses though.

Carl

[Wockman]

I prefer sightglasses too, I feel they are quicker and cleaner..  Not sure if they are more accurate or not, but sometimes with dipsticks there is a question if it is supposed to be screwed down of just inserted to check the level.

[Open Sore]

I said Dipstick.  The bike I currently ride has a dipstick.  My last bike had a sight glass.  Either one works, so I don't really have a preference.

[Nimh]

Speed Triple - dip stick, shiny, black and accurate only if bike is level on a center stand and the dip stick is screwed all the way in.
DRZ - Dip stick in the frame near the headstock, warm not hot, wait three minutes, hold the bike upright but don't screw the stick in.
R1100S - Sight glass on the center stand after letting the jugs drain for 10 minutes.  
SV650 -  Sight glass, easy peasy.

I really prefer a sight glass.  I have a chart on the wall to keep track of which needs what, with all the torque settings I frequently use.

[spaz_666]

KTM calls it a sight glass, but it's more like a clear plastic tube. Nevertheless, it's the same principle.

Maybe it's an Austrian thing... same set-up on the Rotax in the Aprilias.