Oil Consumption
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Novice
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 24
Likes: 6
From: West Texas
Oil Consumption
I have a 2020 FLHP I bought 2 months ago with 10k miles on it. I have now put 3800 miles on it (odo @ 13800) since buying it. When I bought the bike the oil was at the yellow line in the picture and now this is where it is at (cold). It has not beend dripping oil in the parking lots or anything like that. I was told by HD they run Syn3 in motor, Formula+ in trans/primary in all the police bikes. This is my first harley and am concerned because Ive never had a vehicle that consumed oil. Bike runs good as far as I can tell with no known issues. Stock intake, aftermarket mufflers only. My riding consists of at least 10 miles a day (usually 5 miles to work, and 5 back - which I know, I know, isnt great for the motor), and I try to do at least one ride a week over 20-30 miles at one time at least. Other than those daily miles, I do long trips.
Secondary Question: I am planning an iron butt ride (1000 miles in 24hrs) for 2 weeks from now and I was planning on just changing the oil when I got back at roughly 15k on odo and 5000 (or just shy of) on the oil. The question is, would you just change it now, early, or add some oil, ride the iron butt, then change the oil when you got back.
Thoughts?
Secondary Question: I am planning an iron butt ride (1000 miles in 24hrs) for 2 weeks from now and I was planning on just changing the oil when I got back at roughly 15k on odo and 5000 (or just shy of) on the oil. The question is, would you just change it now, early, or add some oil, ride the iron butt, then change the oil when you got back.
Thoughts?
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
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From: South Florida
Hi TS, good talk'n with you mate.
The only thing I would like to share is, if you are going to do any work on your bike b4 a ride, any (any) work, I would suggest doing it no later than 2 weeks b4 the ride. That is no one touches ur bike 2 wks before your ride.
Even good mechanics (or even if u do the work yourself) can make an error.
No one touches my bike 2 wks b4 I go LDR. I do ride my bike in those 2 wks. But no work is done on it. Therefore there is less chance of a problem on the road. Esp., if you are IBAing. Which is GREAT! GO MAN GO!! IBA is GREAT!
The only thing I would like to share is, if you are going to do any work on your bike b4 a ride, any (any) work, I would suggest doing it no later than 2 weeks b4 the ride. That is no one touches ur bike 2 wks before your ride.
Even good mechanics (or even if u do the work yourself) can make an error.
No one touches my bike 2 wks b4 I go LDR. I do ride my bike in those 2 wks. But no work is done on it. Therefore there is less chance of a problem on the road. Esp., if you are IBAing. Which is GREAT! GO MAN GO!! IBA is GREAT!
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 24
Likes: 6
From: West Texas
Appreciate it, thats good advice. I plan on doing the next 3-hole oil change myself, just still debating whether to do it after the ride or do the oil change now (just over 2 weeks away from the IBA ride i have planned)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: State of Confusion
I have a 2020 FLHP I bought 2 months ago with 10k miles on it. I have now put 3800 miles on it (odo @ 13800) since buying it. When I bought the bike the oil was at the yellow line in the picture and now this is where it is at (cold). It has not beend dripping oil in the parking lots or anything like that. I was told by HD they run Syn3 in motor, Formula+ in trans/primary in all the police bikes. This is my first harley and am concerned because Ive never had a vehicle that consumed oil. Bike runs good as far as I can tell with no known issues. Stock intake, aftermarket mufflers only. My riding consists of at least 10 miles a day (usually 5 miles to work, and 5 back - which I know, I know, isnt great for the motor), and I try to do at least one ride a week over 20-30 miles at one time at least. Other than those daily miles, I do long trips.
Secondary Question: I am planning an iron butt ride (1000 miles in 24hrs) for 2 weeks from now and I was planning on just changing the oil when I got back at roughly 15k on odo and 5000 (or just shy of) on the oil. The question is, would you just change it now, early, or add some oil, ride the iron butt, then change the oil when you got back.
Thoughts?
Secondary Question: I am planning an iron butt ride (1000 miles in 24hrs) for 2 weeks from now and I was planning on just changing the oil when I got back at roughly 15k on odo and 5000 (or just shy of) on the oil. The question is, would you just change it now, early, or add some oil, ride the iron butt, then change the oil when you got back.
Thoughts?
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 24
Likes: 6
From: West Texas
had a lot of Harleys and never had one that didn't' consume oil..my Toyotas never have but Harleys...yeah....to varying degrees during different seasons, riding behavior, etc..just always check it the same way, level ground, up to full operating temp, etc, as the manual instructs..to get a baseline for consistency..and just make sure you have it at a safe operating level before your 1000 mile ride and change it when you return with 5000 ish miles on it..much more importantly..be safe on that IB ride!
Update: this morning I rode (city riding) for about 35 min. Stopped and checked it and it was only on the bottom dot. Added 12 oz and rode for another 15-20 min. It was up to the 4th or 5th set of dots. I added just a hair more (in total 1/2 quart added) and its right around the 5th or 6th set of dots (the yellow line). Well see how it goes.
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From: South Austin Texas
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Sounds like you've answered your question, and just went ahead and filled it.
What is the normal oil change interval for your bike..?? Ahead of a long road trip...I make "oil change" decisions based upon how far I am into my interval, and where I'll be in that interval when I get home. It's not rocket science. If you're only talking about 1,000 mi., that's not all that far anyhow so don't over-think it.
I don't mean to trivialize your legitimate concern about an important maintenance step, but it sounds like you oughta get out more, before doing a 1,000 mi road trip.
Pick someplace on the map that a couple hundred miles from home, ride over there, wherever it is and have lunch. Jump back on your bike and ride home. Get a good feel for riding beyond what you cover with a single tank of gas. This time of year...especially out in West Texas....a long road trip raises issues you'll never experience riding around town.
Be Safe...and ENJOY.
What is the normal oil change interval for your bike..?? Ahead of a long road trip...I make "oil change" decisions based upon how far I am into my interval, and where I'll be in that interval when I get home. It's not rocket science. If you're only talking about 1,000 mi., that's not all that far anyhow so don't over-think it.
I don't mean to trivialize your legitimate concern about an important maintenance step, but it sounds like you oughta get out more, before doing a 1,000 mi road trip.
Pick someplace on the map that a couple hundred miles from home, ride over there, wherever it is and have lunch. Jump back on your bike and ride home. Get a good feel for riding beyond what you cover with a single tank of gas. This time of year...especially out in West Texas....a long road trip raises issues you'll never experience riding around town.
Be Safe...and ENJOY.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 24
Likes: 6
From: West Texas
Sounds like you've answered your question, and just went ahead and filled it.
What is the normal oil change interval for your bike..?? Ahead of a long road trip...I make "oil change" decisions based upon how far I am into my interval, and where I'll be in that interval when I get home. It's not rocket science. If you're only talking about 1,000 mi., that's not all that far anyhow so don't over-think it.
I don't mean to trivialize your legitimate concern about an important maintenance step, but it sounds like you oughta get out more, before doing a 1,000 mi road trip.
Pick someplace on the map that a couple hundred miles from home, ride over there, wherever it is and have lunch. Jump back on your bike and ride home. Get a good feel for riding beyond what you cover with a single tank of gas. This time of year...especially out in West Texas....a long road trip raises issues you'll never experience riding around town.
Be Safe...and ENJOY.
What is the normal oil change interval for your bike..?? Ahead of a long road trip...I make "oil change" decisions based upon how far I am into my interval, and where I'll be in that interval when I get home. It's not rocket science. If you're only talking about 1,000 mi., that's not all that far anyhow so don't over-think it.
I don't mean to trivialize your legitimate concern about an important maintenance step, but it sounds like you oughta get out more, before doing a 1,000 mi road trip.
Pick someplace on the map that a couple hundred miles from home, ride over there, wherever it is and have lunch. Jump back on your bike and ride home. Get a good feel for riding beyond what you cover with a single tank of gas. This time of year...especially out in West Texas....a long road trip raises issues you'll never experience riding around town.
Be Safe...and ENJOY.