I have an '06 S40 with just over 4000 miles. With only 370 miles on a fresh oil and filter change (Mobile 1 V-Twin 20w-50), it appears to have used about 6 oz or more oil. That rate equals about 1984 miles to the quart. It does not smoke. I am hoping I did not fill it to the proper level at the oil change and am going to watch it closely this time. My Virago 250 does not use oil as most other bikes have not.

I followed the manual on adding this 6 oz. It is a strange way, but it is like the instructions for my Virago 250. Fill to the upper marks, then idle engine for a few minutes. Turn engine off, wait 3 minutes and look into the oil check window. If it is below the upper line add oil til it reaches the upper line. That all sounds fine, but when the engine oil completely settles, the oil level is almost at the top of the window. So, if you check it cold, the window will be nearly full. Is this correct? Seems that you should fill it so that when all settled or cold the oil level would be at the upper marks. Any help would be appreciated...Dan

My routine - Get an little extending mirror. Hop on the bike before starting it up. Tilt bike level and check the oil level with the mirror. Try to check the oil in the SAME spot every time. A little lean left or right or an incline forward or back will throw the reading off fairly considerably. Not big deal if you're full or near full. But if you're half full and you're checking somewhere you usually dont you may be at the lower level line...or you maybe very near the full line. I personally think the oil viewing window is the dumbest idea ever on any bike. The case couldve been a half inch wider on one 1"sq area to accomodate a dipstick. Doing that would even make one less prone to spilling the first few ounces of oil from a fresh quart all over the case when filling.

I'd heard it often said by mechanics in the trade, that if a new engine burns a little oil, the rings etc will last forever,.....I took that to mean if an engine burns no oil at all, it will wear out..... But I have not really known either to really be true. But I do know that burning a little oil in anything never caused me a problem ever.

Years ago cars use to oil,In the last 30 years my cars have used about a cup in 7000 miles.In 1964 I bought a 1964 chevy 409 it used a quart every 1200 from the day I bought it till I sold it,It was automatic,My buddy bought the same thing with stick It burn a quart in every 800 miles,After 6000 miles and a lot of complaining,They put new rings in his,It then got a 1000 to the quart.

 Routy in the good old days if I remember right they were called grease  monkeys not auto techs.

Well guys, back to the topic of this thread. One person reported that their S40 did not use any oil another said theirs was about like mine. I suppose all of these are in good mechanical condition. What makes the difference do you suppose? Also, I would like some more ideas on checking the oil level in that little window. Both the Virago 250 and the S40 have nearly the same instructions for checking oil. Something like idle engine for a few minutes, shut off, wait 3 minutes, check for oil being at upper line level. If not, fill to that level. My observation is that when all the oil settles back into the crankcase (more than 3 minutes) you have oil at nearly the top of the glass. Why not let the settled oil level be at the upper line. Would that not be enough?  Maybe next time I change oil I will put the prescribed amount in and see where that puts the oil level. By the way, I drained the air box tube and got about an once, not near the amount my oil level went down in 370 miles (approx 6 oz).I am useing Mobile 1 V-Twin 20w-50 oil....Thanks, Dan

Routy, I just don't want to give out of oil unexpectedly. I realize a quart in 2000 miles is not too bad, but I don't think we have a quart to play with between the lines. I don't want to run low while riding. I appreciate your insight. Thanks, Dan

I carry a 3 oz bottle, with a squirt tip & an uncut tip off a tube of gasket making RTV screws down on it so well it doesnt leak. I put a slot in a small board, about 5/8ths & 3/8ths ish, to use to open the fill plug. My fingers just arent able to open it after the same fingers closed it & NO I dont go cranking on it.
You can start off slightly over full & carry a little, too.