Oil consumption test
#61
05-15-2014 | 05:04 PM
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
I have to chime in here. My last bike, 09 SG burned oil like crazy. Never really noticed it til I took a 4k trip. Thought the bike sounded different when in Dallas, on a stop, and checked it. Damn near 2 qts low. Service Mgr said it was normal, and another guy there for service said his burned the same amount. Sounded wrong but blew it off. Don't have the bike anymore but during that trip was riding with 2 friends that had new bikes and they said their bikes didn't burn oil. Long story short, I have a 13 RG and it shows no sign of burning oil. What's the real answer?
Unless you severely beat on your bike that's normal.
#62
05-15-2014 | 05:14 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: wet coast BC
between the 1000 & 5000 service I was adding oil as it kept going to the 1/2 mark on the stick. Now most know not to fill it past the 1/2 mark. ever since I only fill it to the 1/2 mark and no loss of oil between changes long trip included.
comments were made on break in procedure. Baby it or ride like you stole it. The pros say that how the rings seat in the first 50-100 miles will be what it is there forward.
I have not babied any vehicle and have not regretted it or burned oil either.
as for the it is normal, I believe it is normal since the dealers do not see any bike that does not burn oil.
comments were made on break in procedure. Baby it or ride like you stole it. The pros say that how the rings seat in the first 50-100 miles will be what it is there forward.
I have not babied any vehicle and have not regretted it or burned oil either.
as for the it is normal, I believe it is normal since the dealers do not see any bike that does not burn oil.
Last edited by 1Canuck; 05-15-2014 at 05:16 PM.
#63
05-15-2014 | 11:24 PM
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From: Glendale AZ
#64
05-15-2014 | 11:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: The Desert SouthWest
Had the same problem with my 2010 Ultra. Used a quart of oil every 600 - 900 miles depending on how much high speed freeway riding I was doing. Harley has sent the dealers a memo that says around 1000 mikes is expected and normal. The mechanic at my dealer has the memo stuck to the wall near his work bench....must have to refer to it often for other customers to read. The dealer put tape on my oil fill cap twice with orders for me to bring back after 1000 miles. Of course I did not have any freeway trips during these periods so I could not demonstrate the consumption. It did not burn much when riding around town. Kind of pissed me off to still have a warranty but could not get anything done. I have been told it is common for 103 engines to fry the rear valve seal when run hard and fast. Seems reasonable since I had no issues until I returned from Sturgis after four days of 90 mph riding there and back.
The dealer now has the bike on his used bike lot for $16k. Someone down the road is really going to be really disappointed when they buy this bike.
The dealer now has the bike on his used bike lot for $16k. Someone down the road is really going to be really disappointed when they buy this bike.
At that rate you'd never have to change the oil, just keep it topped off and change the filter every 5k! That's bad.
#65
05-16-2014 | 05:55 AM
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 4
From: Pensacola, FL
MOCO is okay with burning ~1/4 of your oil within 1K miles?!?! I admit I'm new to the Harley world, but this seems unacceptable for any modern engine. I would expect to loose this much in a circa 1965 flat V6, but not a 2014. So far, mine has not used a drop, and will be very disappointed should it start.
#66
05-16-2014 | 05:59 AM
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Outstanding HDF Member
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From: Clarksville, TN
It's burning it. They don't know why and won't know until they take it apart. My take on this is a Harley burns the oil up to the point that there is no smoke. I've never dealt with anything like this before so this is my only conclusion. It's the only thing that can be happening.
#67
05-16-2014 | 06:03 AM
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From: Clarksville, TN
MOCO is okay with burning ~1/4 of your oil within 1K miles?!?! I admit I'm new to the Harley world, but this seems unacceptable for any modern engine. I would expect to loose this much in a circa 1965 flat V6, but not a 2014. So far, mine has not used a drop, and will be very disappointed should it start.
They are OK with you burning 1 qt in 1500 on a TC engine and 1 qt in 1000 on a sportster. I don't know where the 1 qt in 1000 came from but that's wrong....I have it black and white from the MoCo.
#68
05-16-2014 | 06:41 AM
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From: Eastern NC
#69
05-16-2014 | 07:00 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Watertown, CT
#70
05-16-2014 | 07:23 AM
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From: Clarksville, TN
20-50. I don't think it would matter what was in it. It burned through synthetic and conventional just the same.