What do you guys feel is normal oil consumption? When I had my 2010 RK I never had to add oil in between changes. With my 2010 RG I always have to add oil. I took a 1600 mile trip the other week and find I'm down about a quart. I usually cruise at 70-75 mph, I don't redline the motor and I have 14,000 miles on the bike. Any thoughts on this?

I'm going down to the dealer tomorrow to talk to the service manager to get his input.

 

Harley says 1 quart per 1000 miles is acceptable and normal.
My bike consumes no oil,so I guess,according to Harley your consumption is normal.

 

It's all over the place, from a quart for every 1,000 miles to no consumption in 5,000 miles. According to the Dealer, both are normal.(?)

I think it's the luck of the draw due to manufacturing tolerances, ( or lack thereof!)

I'm one of the lucky ones. 119,000 miles on the bike, ( heads were replaced at 67,000 to be fair,) and still no oil consumption between 5,000 mile services.

 

I ran Redline in the motor and after 2500 kilometers I found the level down and would need to add 1/4 of a litre.
Switched to Amsoil and ran the bike for 9000 kilometers on it and never had to add any in that span.
I think the oil you may use could have something to do with it. At least that's my experience.

 

Hmmmm..... that's a thought. I've been using Redline since the 5k service. Maybe I'll give the Amsoil a try, it couldn't hurt. Any thoughts on the HD Syn 3?

 

Syn 3 had a weak additive package and isn't really synthetic. It's in the grey area of synthetics being a group 2/3 basestocks which are conventional and a few drops of group 4.
Now for the price there are better options however it's not bad oil

 

Forgot to mention my wife's bike had the same thing happen to her's and it has half the mileage of mine.
I like Redline tranny oil but will not use the motor oil again.

 

I have a 2004 Heritage Classic with 25k miles on the clock. I've had it since it had 2k miles on the clock and it uses about a litre avery 1000 miles.

I also have a 2006 Screamin' Eagle Glide and it uses no oil at all between services.

Personally I think a quart/litre per 1000 miles is too much and it's a pain having to top up the oil so frequently. On the flip side, I guess the oil stays cleaner and the pistons/cylinders get more lubrication!

Neil

 

i have a 07 flhtc and an 02 flhtc ,use mobil 1 20-50,use no oil,the 07 has 63000,and the 02 13000mi,u got a problem !!!,i'd do a leakdown test !

 

I've used the automotive 20w-50 in my bike with no consumption issues whatsoever. Sometime changing brands does help however don't write red line off due to an unconfirmed suspicion. In my experience they make an above average product. Well above any on the shelf mobil 1 product,and most oil manufacturers.