I didn't use synthetic oil. Shell Rotella 15/40 seemed to work well. With New oil I could go for a ride that spent some time at 60+ and it wouldn't use anything worth refilling it over. Put 2,000 miles on that oil and run it the same way and consumption rate would be appreciably more. I changed oil based on its consumption rate. If new oil doesn't go away very quickly, then what is the increase in consumption telling me?
I figured it was telling me the oil was being chopped up by the crushing and slicing of going through the gears,bearings,etc.
The thing doesn't hold a buncha oil, being low just makes me uncomfortable, so I carried a Coupla refilled Two Stroke oil containers. If it gets down to scary,I have been known to stop and buy oil, even if it wasn't exactly what I wanted. Change oil when I get home.
Check out the Mileage Hall of Fame. Some of these guys ride more miles than I can imagine. And Rotella 15/40 is what some of them use. IDK if they were using Dinosaur juice or synthetic.

Thanks Guys!  The “oil war” comment gave me a good chuckle.  I’m kinda a Valvoline guy.  Everybody has a favorite that is the best!  Lol.  Learning that consumption is rather high, I will be dumbing down to the cheaper conventional.  Since the Shell Rotella got 2 out of 2 votes here, I’ll be buying a big jug of Rotella Dino juice. Thanks!  Happy Trails!

Did someone utter those words “OIL WAR” ?
It gets ugly really fast. Oh the Carnage , worse than a civil war !
Consider yourself lucky , dodged a bullet with your name on it.

Only utter one word
ROTELLA

ThumperPaul wrote on 09/02/22 at 03:32:24:

make sure the valvoline you are using has zddp in about 1000ppm and is wet clutch safe.  the reason most of us use shell rotella t4/t6 is it fits both of those requirements and is usually fairly easy to get our hands on.

Ruttly wrote on 09/02/22 at 11:47:44:

Oh so you can provide a noa on the oil you use.
Let the fur fly  

What is normal for a healthy engine is , almost no oil loss but when you notice or have to add then it is time for oil n filter. Now all that depends on your engine and how you ride. The sight glass is great , interval idk , change it when you have to add , a lot of variables.
Welcome to SS

Scottwerty wrote on 09/02/22 at 16:31:51:


Hey Scottwerty.  It has about 7,500 miles.  Its a 2004 and I bought it used with about 7200 miles.  I immediately changed the oil to Valvoline motorcycle 10w/40 conventional and filter when I got it.  The old oil was bad.  Down to 1 liter of black smelly mess.  Knowing this, I changed the oil again in about 100 miles (same filter).  I drained out about 200cc less than what I put in (2 quart).  I figured this was normal and some oil just found it way into places that hadn’t seen fresh oil in a while.  I’m not burning oil - no smoke or oil smell.  With this fill, I used Valvoline motorcycle specific 10w/40 full synthetic thinking this oil would be used for a normal interval.  Well, I screwed that up when I flooded the bike while tinkering with the carb and gas got in the crankcase.  I initially didn’t think much of it thinking the gas would evaporate and burn off.  Well it burned off alright!  within not many hours of run testing.  Drained the oil again and it drank 1/2 quart.  I was surprised at the consumption but the oil had been contaminated with gas so I accepted the result.  So, change the oil again to Valvoline 20/50 full synthetic.  Using the eye, I can see I’ve used some oil again but I haven’t drained it to see exactly how much.  So that’s why I was curious what I might expect when I drain again.  I’m probably still experiencing a hangover from gas getting in the crankcase.  Hopefully I haven’t glazed my clutch plates, but on recent rides I am noticing some intermittent clutch slippage at higher rpm’s when I roll on the throttle a bit hard from a modest rpm level.  No real slippage if I easy my way into higher rpm territory.  This may be the next think I need to address if fresh oil doesn’t clean up the situation.