I've got 2,500 miles on it now. Have added about 10 oz. of oil since then. That doesn't sound too bad, does it? This is my first Harley.

 

You've...added oil? I've only had to top it off once because I was leaking.

 

I bought a new 48 in May. Also my first Harley. Service guy told me that the old days of Harley's burning oil and marking their spots are gone. If you're burning oil something's off. I'd take it in and get it looked at. Got 1300 on mine, changed at 1000 and never added a drop.

 

Did you check the oil hot or cold? It will read lower if the engine is cold and if you added oil by checking the oil cold, you probably over filled the oil tank. Check the oil hot and check it with the bike vertical, not on the Jiffy stand. If it reads half-way between the add and fill marks, you are good.

 

The first thing you need to know about Sporties is called Blow-By. The harder you ride, the more oil will blow into the air filter. The cure is simple. Keep the oil level (on the dipstick) at the lower 1/4. Always check the oil when it's hot and the bike is on the side stand.

 

I agree 100% Check it hot and on the side stand. When mine is hot and on the side stand it's about 1/4 - 1/3 of an inch above the add mark. When it's vertical and hot, it's right smack in the middle of add/full and never moves between oil changes.

 

New engines often consume some Oil,,follow breakin procedure, keep the Oil level up and put some miles on that bike!
Rings gotta seat.

 

Listen to Osco.He's right.

 

10 oz ain't normal. Break-in, or not.

At least nothing I have ever experienced on new bikes.


As the other guys said, check it at full operating temperature.

 

Yeah, +1 on that. You've already done your 1000 mi right? Your bike should be "broke in" by now. If you don't have any obvious leaks (check your rocker covers) then I'd put money on the blow-by. You can check that by taking your a/c cover off and see if there's any oil on your cleaner. That means your overfilling. Long story short, mine "consumes" 0 oil and hasn't since it was new.