Oil consumption?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,180
Likes: 12,757
From: South Carolina
There is no way to accurately measure oil consumption if you drain and refill every 1000 miles (which is ridiculous).
If you are overfilling the tank, the oil is going to blow out the breather, then you will just keep adding, it keeps blowing out.
Most experts know that keeping the oil level at halfway between add and full on the stick is the correct level, any higher than that may cause oil to be expelled out the breather system.
Stop getting all puffed up and insulting because someone posts something you don`t like.
And please, stop bragging, most of us have many decades of mechanical experience here, you are not talking to kids.
If you are overfilling the tank, the oil is going to blow out the breather, then you will just keep adding, it keeps blowing out.
Most experts know that keeping the oil level at halfway between add and full on the stick is the correct level, any higher than that may cause oil to be expelled out the breather system.
Stop getting all puffed up and insulting because someone posts something you don`t like.
And please, stop bragging, most of us have many decades of mechanical experience here, you are not talking to kids.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Sep 11, 2024 at 08:54 AM.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: USA
New 23 Heritage just ate about 1/2 quart on a 2,500 mile trip. My buddies with newer bikes seem to be reporting about the same consumption. My old twin cam didn't start eating that much oil until it was over 20k miles.
1 quart every 1,000 miles seems a bit high.
1 quart every 1,000 miles seems a bit high.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,158
Likes: 9,568
From: central NC
I don’t like it either, but I didn’t make that up.
Here’s the tech service bulletin from 2017, for M-8’s.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...24214-9999.pdf
Last edited by gonemad; Sep 15, 2024 at 02:19 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
You were right...
I said it. Call a dealer service department. Ask the question.
I dont like it either, but I didnt make that up.
Heres the tech service bulletin from 2017, for M-8s.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...24214-9999.pdf
I dont like it either, but I didnt make that up.
Heres the tech service bulletin from 2017, for M-8s.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...24214-9999.pdf
That's finally vindication for all of the metric bike guys who saw me ride H.D. and told me they'd never own a Harley. I've had metric and Harleys and never saw oil consumption like that on any of my prior 36 bikes ( many of them were bought used). I've only had a couple of old beater cars that did that bad!
I started a thread entitled, " Am I the only one?" A couple of months ago, on this forum. It was the result of a test ride on a 2019 Heritage Softail, with the M8 engine. Some guys on here really didn't like what I said. said basically that my twin cams ran nicer, my wife & I saw no better ride, the seat sucked for 2-up, and I didn't like the "whirring" sound of the M8.
Maybe it's a lucky thing I didn't want to buy it!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,180
Likes: 12,757
From: South Carolina
1/2 quart in 2,500 miles is fine.
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 395
Likes: 336
From: Coastal Carolina
I have never had a Harley oil consumption issue and I have owned a few, I have however had a oil consumption issue in a new Mustang and my wife had a new VW brake issue that we tried the Lemon Law procedure, the VW rep came in, bla, bla , bla. I have never had any luck with the rep as when the "company" rep says it's normal what do you do at that point this side of legal action?
I know everyones situation is different but with the VW issue ( in our case if you just tap on the brake you almost flew through the windshield) it was simply easer to trade the car for a new one as I had to keep my wife and kids safe. She got a new car and I could walk away from this issue! It did cost us some money but not a crazy amount. My time is money and I had to get the wife back on the road.
The thing is when the dealer and the VW rep refuses to admit the car has an issue, he can't exactly lowball a trade so we traded that POS. This guy actually was happy to get her car and stated "this one i'll sell as Certified" don't you just love car salesmen?
Op, I also change oil and fluids very early in my bikes, always have...
Also, I have heard NON synthetic oil may help with oil consumption and I know for a fact NON synthetic oil is less noisy in the M8!
"Yep, I change my oil every 3,000 miles or when I get board, whichever come first" Hank Hill...
I know everyones situation is different but with the VW issue ( in our case if you just tap on the brake you almost flew through the windshield) it was simply easer to trade the car for a new one as I had to keep my wife and kids safe. She got a new car and I could walk away from this issue! It did cost us some money but not a crazy amount. My time is money and I had to get the wife back on the road.
The thing is when the dealer and the VW rep refuses to admit the car has an issue, he can't exactly lowball a trade so we traded that POS. This guy actually was happy to get her car and stated "this one i'll sell as Certified" don't you just love car salesmen?
Op, I also change oil and fluids very early in my bikes, always have...
Also, I have heard NON synthetic oil may help with oil consumption and I know for a fact NON synthetic oil is less noisy in the M8!
"Yep, I change my oil every 3,000 miles or when I get board, whichever come first" Hank Hill...
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 78
Likes: 37
From: Roseville,CA & Grangeville,ID
I cold fill to near mid-point, drive the bike for one-hour and idle for two-minutes. Never add if in the normal range on the stand. No oil in the filter and seems to be running normally for a HD. Just after a 200-mile ride and smelling oil burning had me concerned especially after idling for two-minutes and checking the oil level (per HD directions) after being very low when returning home. Guess I'm just too particular after riding import sport bikes since 1974. Anyway, life goes on
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 575
Likes: 263
From: Spokane, WA
I cold fill to near mid-point, drive the bike for one-hour and idle for two-minutes. Never add if in the normal range on the stand. No oil in the filter and seems to be running normally for a HD. Just after a 200-mile ride and smelling oil burning had me concerned especially after idling for two-minutes and checking the oil level (per HD directions) after being very low when returning home. Guess I'm just too particular after riding import sport bikes since 1974. Anyway, life goes on
sump.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 78
Likes: 37
From: Roseville,CA & Grangeville,ID
I'm not a veteran Harley owner but this bike (M8 motor) doesn't have an oil tank so how is it a dry sump motor? Not to disagree with you but the oil goes into a pan not a tank. Anyway, I followed the owner's manual and input here on correct oil levels and adjustments and after a 200-mile ride was down on levels significantly, plus smelling oil burning from the exhaust. Anyway, I have an extended warranty and just going to ride it till she quits, too old now to stress about it.
