Oil Usage Question
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Jefferson City, Mo
Oil Usage Question
I currently own a 2021 Heritage Softail - 114 ci, It has only 850 miles on the odometer. I purchased it new last August (2021) and noticed that after a couple hundred miles it needed several ounces of engine oil. (this happened several times - that it needed additional oil after a ride). I mentioned this to the service advisor at my local HD dealership and he said it was probably due to the break-in process - not to worry he said. I recently did my first spring ride (100 miles) and when I checked the oil level before I started it was at the proper full level for a cold engine, when I checked it after I returned home and after it had cooled down, I had to add almost 7oz of engine oil to bring the level up to the full mark for a cold engine. Should I be concerned? Thanks!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,599
Likes: 30,999
From: Pennsylvania
Get 5,000 or so miles on it then report back.
Needs to be broken in.
No reason to be concerned.
If you are using synthetic oil, it will use more than if you use the standard HD 360 dino.
Needs to be broken in.
No reason to be concerned.
If you are using synthetic oil, it will use more than if you use the standard HD 360 dino.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 4,272
From: Granville New York
Isn't there a shut down procedure? Where you're supposed to let the engine idle for a minute before shutting it off and checking the oil? Just be careful not to overfill it
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,333
Likes: 3,883
From: Upstate New York
To the OP, stop checking the oil cold. Use the procedure in the owner’s manual. Because of all the external oil cooler plumbing, the oil level at the tank can vary widely. The oil level in my ‘19 barely shows on the stick cold, but will show the correct level once hot.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,771
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From: Honah Lee
I currently own a 2021 Heritage Softail - 114 ci, It has only 850 miles on the odometer. I purchased it new last August (2021) and noticed that after a couple hundred miles it needed several ounces of engine oil. (this happened several times - that it needed additional oil after a ride). I mentioned this to the service advisor at my local HD dealership and he said it was probably due to the break-in process - not to worry he said. I recently did my first spring ride (100 miles) and when I checked the oil level before I started it was at the proper full level for a cold engine, when I checked it after I returned home and after it had cooled down, I had to add almost 7oz of engine oil to bring the level up to the full mark for a cold engine. Should I be concerned? Thanks!
Going by the motorcycle 100 classes that say always gear down as you slow, high rpm style operation and such variables make it impossible to give you a straight answer.
Time it six months before warranty ends so you know how much it takes in 1000 miles. Document maintenance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,320
Likes: 2,454
From: Eastern NE
Bikes went fm 2.5 qts to 5 qts in these M8's...there's a lot of fluids moving around in there. Like others said, check level IAW Owner's Manual & keep monitoring until you're more into some added mileage.