107 oil usage
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 112
Likes: 62
From: blue ridge mountains
107 oil usage
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.
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.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,134
Likes: 9,532
From: central NC
Based on recent past posts over the past couple of years on this topic I think oil usage on M-8s is all over the board. Some apparently dont 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. Couldnt detect oil usage on the plugs. No transfer to primary or trans. I dont know where it was going. It had a stage I and a tune, but I didnt beat on it, and I only rode solo.
Its was a mystery.
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. Couldnt detect oil usage on the plugs. No transfer to primary or trans. I dont know where it was going. It had a stage I and a tune, but I didnt beat on it, and I only rode solo.
Its was a mystery.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 40
From: merrillville, in
It might be as simple as youre overfilling it. Every engine is going to have a point where it doesnt want any more oil and will quickly push out anything over that. Mine, if I fill it to the full cold mark when its 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, itll get to about 1/2 way on stick and itll stay there for about 1000 miles. Try not filling it so far and see if that helps.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,105
Likes: 12,665
From: South Carolina
I think post 6 is your answer.
No whining.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Aug 18, 2023 at 08:36 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 152
From: Calgary, Alberta
It might be as simple as youre overfilling it. Every engine is going to have a point where it doesnt want any more oil and will quickly push out anything over that. Mine, if I fill it to the full cold mark when its 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, itll get to about 1/2 way on stick and itll stay there for about 1000 miles. Try not filling it so far and see if that helps.
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.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 112
Likes: 62
From: blue ridge mountains
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 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'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!
Last edited by wztravis; Aug 18, 2023 at 08:08 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 112
Likes: 62
From: blue ridge mountains
It might be as simple as youre overfilling it. Every engine is going to have a point where it doesnt want any more oil and will quickly push out anything over that. Mine, if I fill it to the full cold mark when its 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, itll get to about 1/2 way on stick and itll stay there for about 1000 miles. Try not filling it so far and see if that helps.