I'm thinking my bike may have a slight drinking problem....oil that is.
I put 140 miles on my bike the other day and it used about 3/4 quart of oil. My speeds ranged 55-75 mph and the temp was mid 90's.

Anyone else notice their bike using oil? How much usage is considered normal?
The oil is filled up again, so as my bike sits now I have added 1 1/8 since I got it....it only has 1900 miles on it.

It's an 04 Sportster 883C.

 

The dealer will say burning 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles is normal. I say, on a new motorcycle, burning no oil is normal.

I think oil consumption means bad piston or valve seals, but those with mechanical skills will tell you precisely. Do you see any smoke coming out the exhaust?

Also, has it been burning oil ever since you got? How much has it been burning when you got it?

 

I have 1800mi on the clock since my 5000mi oil change, temperatures have been in the 90-111degree range, and I am down about a half to three quarters of an inch on my dip stick.
Me thinks you're loosing it somewhere.

 

My dealer was thinking 1 quart per 2500 miles. He told me to top of the oil and monitor it for the next 500 miles, if it uses to bring it in for testing.

 

Keep us posted about the problem. I'm interested to see the solution.

 

3/4's of a quart in 140 miles is way too much, for sure let us know what you find out. You would think it would be smoking at least slightly with that much gone or showing on the bike somewhere.

John TN

 

3/4 of a quart in 140 miles is more than I want to hear. The 05's had a valve seal problem , but the 04's there were no noted problems that I have heard of. If it were your valve seals, you would burn the oil on decell and at that point probably would not notice it. Have somebody ride behind you close enough to see or smell the oil mist as you decelerate, preferably down a hill and downshift maybe 1 gear without over reving it and see what you get. It will point towards seals if youi get a smell or see oil smoke doing this.

Don't forget , what you can't see yourself while riding becomes very obvious to someone who knows something about motors who is following you and knows what to look for.

Good luck

 

Valve seal problems with the '05s?? Oh great, I picked up my '05 Heritage Classic last week...

Edmo

 

Edmo

You may be lucky, don't panic yet!

The dealers are replacing them under warrantee of you consume too much oil! Just remember, if you use 1/2 qt in XXX miles, wasn't that a full quart?

 

Just got my 05 Heritage back two weeks ago, she was using a qt. of oil every 1000 miles, the dealer finally changed out the valve seals and rings, after me making a lot of noise!!!! Seems to be running really strong and not using any oil as yet, sure hope this was the fix!!! They are doing them on a bike by bike basis, so if you think your using oil, make some noise at the dealer. Pull your plugs, if it's the same problem they will be black.