Burning Oil: Is it normal? How much is too much?

[Justin]

This is the first motorcycle on which I followed the manufacturer's recommended break-in instructions.  Go figure.

Well. that's your problem right there  

Of course, that would need a whole new thread  

[SWriverstone]

So what were the manufacturer's break-in instructions Frank? (I don't even remember!) Like I said, I broke mine in with an 800-mile ride, getting revs up to 7-8K and never maintaining constant revs at any RPM.

I've been doing more poking around on other forums (including the two big V-Strom forums)...and the general consensus (right or wrong) seems to be for people to say "WHAT!? You're barely losing 1/4-1/2qt every 3-4K miles??? And you're WORRIED? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

One person said "That's NOTHING." Another said "It's probably just a bit getting blown out the crankcase breather." Another said "Hell, most manufacturers won't even do a warranty repair until you're burning a whole quart every 1K miles."

Granted, some of this might be total BS...but it begs the question: should we all consider a motorcycle that loses ZERO oil in 5K miles "normal"...and one that loses ANY (no matter how little) "flawed?"

I honestly don't know. (Just like none of us ever knows what kind of oil to use even after reading 50-page oil threads, LOL) It sounds a lot like the "when do you change your tires?" threads (some guys ride 'em to the threads...others buy new ones the second the start looking vaguely square).

It's all academic to me, since I can't do anything about it anyway but just check the level now and then. Meanwhile, the bike continues to run (and sound) flawless—like a fine Swiss watch.  

Scott

[Cablebandit]

 Meanwhile, the bike continues to run (and sound) flawless—like a fine Swiss watch.  

Scott

Well there's you problem.  The Wee should sound like a tractor.  Time to dump it and make it someones else's problem.  

[ChrisZRX]

1/2 quart or less in 4,000 miles?

That's well within the acceptable interval.

[Rincewind]

Another said "It's probably just a bit getting blown out the crankcase breather."

I had a bike that did that.  It was easily evidenced by oil accumulating in the airbox, then dripping out of there to the floor.  I replaced the crankcase breather seal twice, then I sold the bike.    

[rgbeard]

wish my bike used as little oil as yours does. Mine uses almost 2 quarts every 3000 miles

 

Rings?  Do you have any?   LOL.

[malbojah]

 

Rings?  Do you have any?   LOL.

Doubt it

[Skee]

So what were the manufacturer's break-in instructions Frank?

I don't remember the exact break-in instructions.  Not supposed to go over 6 or 7 k or for awhile.  I remember wondering if anyone ever follows the manufacturer's break-in instructions and getting close to 70 mpg.  Not like that will ever happen again.  

I think that it's normal for Wee's to use a little oil.  [Unlike my FJR, which never used any, and was run to redline in 4 gears within its first 20 or 30 miles. (Which was not the safest thing nor very smart, not even considering the potential for a performance award.)  I've noticed my Wee appears to use less oil when I keep the revs down; like on a long ride on damp roads during the winter, and seems to drink a bit when I bang off the rev limiters too often, like if I'm trying to keep Rincewind in sight.  [I know that's not good for the engine, but honestly, all my valves were in spec on the last check.  And it's a Wee!]  

Here's my Zen take.  Nothing good ever will ever come from being overly concerned or gentle with a motorcycle.  They will lose respect for you and let you sit by the side of the road.  A little TLC now and then goes a long way in overcoming the aftereffects of any punishing treatment.  Just the same, they won't tolerate uncalled for abuse or neglect.  So pour a little oil in now & then, and enjoy the salad.

Adding a little oil between rides is a lot easier than rebuilding the head to spec by yourself.  I wouldn't worry.

[SWriverstone]

Yeah, break-in is definitely like conversations about oil...or Area 51...or Mitt Romney's taxes.   you'll definitely get a different answer from every person in the conversation. Irode mine away from the shop and literally just rode an "RPM sine wave" for 800 miles...throttling smoothly up and down from 4-5K to 7-8K Yeah, my speed was all over the place—but the mechanic at the shop (who seemed knowledgeable but who knows?) said "Just don't hold it at the same RPM for more than a few seconds."

Scott

[JonS]

My old bike always used some oil, but when it started smoking some, it was time. I put new valve seals in and lapped the valves. Never smoked again.

[Papa Lazarou]

TRiumphs often use a bit of oil. I top mine up every few thousand.

I had a Panther once that left an oil slick behind it. Never had to change the oil, as it was an automatic feature....

[Rogue]

My '01 air cooled Bandit 1200 burned oil like that but it was known to do that and was a topic of hot debate in the Bandit forums.  I think Suzuki rectified that in the later air cooled Bandits.  BTW, my air cooled Buell XB12R did NOT burn much oil after 10k miles.  By the time it rolled around 20k miles I could go through an oil change cycle of 4k miles without needing to top up.  

So yeah.  Your V-Strom is burning oil abnormally for a liquid cooled, modern engine.  I would consider that bordering on excessive but not enough to get rid of the bike for that reason alone.

This is what you get for getting rid of your '06 VFR800.  

[chosemerveilleux]

Perhaps trying a different brand of oil will give you a different result.

My '84 FJ1100 (air-cooled) has 86K miles on it and I add a 1/2 quart make-up in a 5K oil change interval.  I've been running Amsoil 10-40 moto since I got the bike, some 4 years and almost 60K ago.

It's totally not out of the question that your motor will use more/less oil on different brands of oil, never mind the dino/syn choice.

Have you ever given Rotella T 5-40 a shot?  A lot of folks use it in their bikes.  I use it in my wife's Accord;  Went from 2 quarts every 5K miles (Penzoil HM) to 1 quart every 6K miles.  This on a car with 190K miles, so it's worth a shot.  Upside is it's cheap.

[naustin]

I would second the recommendation to check the air box for oil drawn up through the breather system. Not familiar with your bike, but I have seen it several times on other bikes.  

[davenay67]

wish my bike used as little oil as yours does. Mine uses almost 2 quarts every 3000 miles

Mine does too. But in my case, it's known as dropping the entire qty of the sump at the recommended OCI.    sorry, couldn't resist....

Back on topic, I wouldn't worry about that level of oil usage unless it gets steadily worse over time.

[yotes65]

wish my bike used as little oil as yours does. Mine uses almost 2 quarts every 3000 miles

wish I was that lucky....

2006 Sprint ST - All Maintenance was performed by the Triumph Dealer where I’d purchased the bike from until I traded it in. Nothing was every said about the bike being low on oil.

2008 Sprint ST - All Maintenance was performed by my Triumph Dealer where I’d purchased the bike from until they went out of business. At that time the bike had approx 32K miles on it. I'd changed the oil at 36K miles. At 39K miles the engine went. All three Pistons & Rings were shot & the engine was rebuilt by another local Triumph Dealer. As part of the original rebuild I'd paid to have the engine broken in on the shops Dyno. After that I'd checked the oil constantly. Burned a Qt every 1000 miles, WTF. 11K miles later the bike is smoking like you would not believe. Bike has been parked in my garage for the last 2 months. Trying to find the time to break down the engine to see what exactly is the issue. I’m assuming it's the Pistons & Rings again. One Sparkplug was per Black, the middle plug was Black & Tan, the third was corroded.

[naustin]

Might explain why they went out of buisness

[reppans]

I think a lot has to do with cylinder size.  Every large cylinder twin I've had (>1100cc) burned at least 1/4 to 1/2 quart per thousand.  Any smaller cylinder single or multi I've had (each cylinder ~250cc) never burned any oil.

[cbsnbiker]

Here's something else to try.

Instead of filling the oil to the top of the sight glass, try filling it to the center of the sight glass.

Then check the oil faithfully, and log the results.

See if the oil consumption is reduced.

1/2 quart or less in 4,000 miles?

That's well within the acceptable interval.

I agree, as long as it's not getting worse.

[smaug]

I had a 2007 Triumph Tiger 1050 (former demo bike) that burned enough that I had to pack oil on longer trips.  It burned 200-300 ml per 1000 miles.  If the bike burned more than 1-liter per 1000 miles, it would have been considered for warranty repair.  It consumed oil from the beginning and would need top offs to last the 6000 mile oil change interval.  Pressure tests did not show any problem.  It was one of the reasons that I got rid of that bike.  I put a lot of miles on it while it burned oil.

And now I have that bike 3rd hand from smoker. It burns that 300ml every 300 miles now. Funny thing about that is that good ole smoker never mentioned a thing about it using oil? You and him bein buddies I would assume he had known that little nugget of info. Too bad I wasn't a member of this forum before I bought it,I could have steered clear. Fwiw,the bike still runs strong but it uses a qrt every 3k.