Hi everyone,
I have a 2019 heritage 107. I bought it this year with only 3k on it and it runs great. It seems to use a lot of oil. In the last 5000 miles its used about 2 quarts. Ive seen the bulletin that says 1qt per 1500 miles is normal. Thats ridiculous. This is my first harley after 25 years of trouble free Japanese bikes. I'm second guessing my decision to switch to HD. I was hoping that after spending so much money, this bike would last me many years, hopefully decades.

 

Based on recent past posts over the past couple of years on this topic I think oil usage on M-8’s is all over the board. Some apparently don’t use any at all.

I put 17,000 on a ‘20 107 FLHR that I sold to the dealer last summer I bought it from two years earlier.

It used 2 quarts between 5k changes.

I had put a breather kit on it that I monitored. No oil there. Couldn’t detect oil usage on the plugs. No transfer to primary or trans. I don’t know where it was going. It had a stage I and a tune, but I didn’t beat on it, and I only rode solo.

It’s was a mystery.

 

Wish I knew more and could help. It seems that every Harley burns it differently . I’ve never had to top off my Harley between oil changes

 

Its luck of the draw, all engines burn oil, some more than others but as long as its within spec its fine.

Japanese bikes burn oil too...

Ride more, worry less.

 

Mine is an 18 with the 114. I add about 4 ounces ever 1000 miles to keep the oil level at the same spot on the dipstick.

 

It might be as simple as you’re overfilling it. Every engine is going to have a point where it doesn’t want any more oil and will quickly push out anything over that. Mine, if I fill it to the full cold mark when it’s cold will quickly push out about 1/2 quart uh the first 200 miles. But if I have it cold just at bottom of stick, it’ll get to about 1/2 way on stick and it’ll stay there for about 1000 miles. Try not filling it so far and see if that helps.

 

You are using 1 quart every 2,500 miles, there is nothing to be concerned about, and most if not all of it is probably going out the breather.

I think post 6 is your answer.

No whining.

 

My 103 TC is like this. I do not have to add between changes as it doesn't drop below a certain level. I bought one of those HD digital dipsticks and it maintains a lower oil level. If I fill it to the stock dipstick it's overfull by the digital dipstick reckoning.

I haven't had a lot of experience with my 114, but I had the same concerns as the OP with my TC (my first HD). With some of these things you just gotta relax, worry less and enjoy more. I came from a Honda VTX and it used more oil than my 103 ever did. So far the 114 seems a pretty happy engine.

 

I've been running it a half quart to one quart low to try and avoid the oil being pushed out the breather. This keeps it just below the half way mark on the stick. Eventually, there's almost no oil registering on the stick. it is concerning for sure. Good advice though. Maybe I need to worry less!
I'm a big gear head and have owned many, many vehicles. I've just never had something burn this much oil - ever regardless of the mileage. Let alone something with such low miles. This bike is my pride and joy and I'm just concerned. I do love the bike otherwise. Well, except for that stupid kick stand!

 

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated!