It's probably more like 6-8 psi, which will give you all you need. If you think you actually have zero, change the oil filter (bypass might be clogged) and cut it open to see if there is an unusual debris inside. If it looks normal, I'd say it's probably the normal drop in oil psi we all have at idle and nothing to worry about. If you want to investigate further, get a gauge that reads 0-30 psi in very accurate measurements. The common gauges will not be the most accurate for very low pressures. Make sure the new gauge is rated for psi below 10 psi as most automotive gauges stop or at least won't certify results there.

 

I have an HD gauge that works pretty accurately.

 

I am on my third sender (OEM, 2 replacements) in less than 17K miles

Last one was showing erratic pressure drop at various speeds, and at 0 psi (bike not running power on) the idiot light was not lighting

replaced the sender, all is well with the universe...

for the 34 bucks, replace the sender first, if that does not cure it then you need to put a real gauge on there and read the pressure right out of the port to diagnose if it is an internal issue or an electrical issue (bad wire, bad ground, bad gauge, etc etc etc)

 

just started running into oil light turning on intermittently, and along with that the red check engine light comes on if not at same time a couple of seconds later. has this happened to anyone else ? I have a 2006 sporty 1200 custom, 56,000 miles.. Had a similar issue back about 2 years ago but without the red check engine light and that turned out to be a loose negative battery cable of all things. I checked battery and sender connections, all good. Any ideas ?

 

Change your oil sending unit .I had same issue and new sending unit resolved problem.

 

I went through this shock process recently when I noticed the OP gauge I had installed reading 12 (Hot) after 50 (cold start). I learned this is normal.

IMHO a $100 gauge is not going to be an accuracy monster, reading one to within +- 2 psi is tough. A gauge that reads "0" is useless. replace it with one that reads between (something) and (something), establish over time what those normal readings are on that gauge and be alerted if & when the gauge ever gives a reading outside the normal (something) and (something) range. Good as it gets for 100 bux.