I apparently should have been checking my engine oil between service appointments. I own a 2007 Nightster 1200 with approximately 20k miles on it. I have never had any issue with my bike burning oil but recently while riding home the oil light came on and my engine started making a weird noise. I crept home to find my bike was about 2.5 quarts low on oil. I've added oil and the engine is no longer making a knocking noise but it is idling very fast and the oil light remains on when it is running. I've driven approximately 3500 miles since service was done on the bike. What bothers me is I was given 3 quarts of oil which I provided at the time my bike was serviced, although I was charged for the extra oil I'm wondering now if it was put in the engine. Any suggestions?

 

that could be a very important/expensive lesson you've just learned; NEVER TRUST THE DEALER! Just because they SAID they did everything properly, it is still up to you to make sure something as simple as checking the oil level is correct.
I hate to sound like a hard-***, but that's like riding around with a tire half-flat, underinflated by the dealer but never verified by the owner ( yes, I've seen that...my neighbor's RK). You need to get it in to someone reputable ASAP, and get things checked out. Be prepared though; that could be an expensive lapse on your part

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Yes, you should have been checking oil level often Your owner's manual has a section named "Pre-riding checklist" that states you should: check fuel level; verify morrors are adjusted, check oil level; check controls for operation; check steering; check tire condition and pressure. The bike holds 3 quarts so you only had a half a quart in it. Hope you didn't destroy the engine. Wish you good luck on getting engine repaired. Let us know what the dealer says.