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[dlaws01]

Believe me, whatever your's is using is going to be an acceptable amount in the eyes of the moco.  There may be a few ( and I emphasis few ) dealers out there that will stand with their customers on this issue but they are the exception to the rule.  It's obvious that you must not have followed the prescribed break-in procedures when you acquired your bike. Sorry.   

[sadunbar]

There have been reports here from other owners of being told that "normal" or "acceptable" or "approved" is 1000 miles per quart.  Or 2000 miles per quart.  Or 2500 miles per quart.  It's too obvious a number is being given that simply pacifies the requirements of the moment. 

Until bike owners actually have the stone to start asking for documentation of these variable specifications the customers might as well also be given "Mushroom Committee" t-shirts and just live with it.  It's ok for Mother Harley (at the company or dealer level) to get away with such nonsense only so long as we as customers put up with it.

Exactly my point with my earlier post.  Ask your dealer for written documentation stating "acceptable limits" of oil usage.  Without written documentation from the MOCO, anything they spew is questionable...

[Kuminatcha]

Well had my 5,000 mile service and decided to do an oil consumption test. Rode 400 miles and checked oil and this is where it was. Any advise on if this is excessive or not.

[Twolanerider]

Well had my 5,000 mile service and decided to do an oil consumption test. Rode 400 miles and checked oil and this is where it was. Any advise on if this is excessive or not.

Can't tell what the measurement is on the stock by the picture.  Whatever it is 400 miles isn't long enough to be a definitive test.  Unless the use is just tremendous you've not gone far enough to really learn anything. 

It is not uncommon, in fact it is quite common, for these engines to want to be 1/2 quart low on the dipstick when cold.  Sometimes even a bit less than that.  Anything more than that they quickly lose.  "Consumption" stops after that however.  So if you're somewhere around a 1/2 quart low on the dipstick just keep on riding it.  See if it goes down from there.  If you've not lost a full quart until several thousand miles has been ridden don't worry about it.  If you're a full quart low significantly more quickly than it's time to be concerned.

[grc]

The proper way to do a consumption test is to just check the level at regular intervals but DO NOT ADD oil until the level actually drops to the "ADD" mark on the dipstick.  As Twolane indicated, there is a very good reason for doing it this way.  Many Harley engines quickly drop to a pint low (mid way between ADD and FULL), then stay there.  If you add oil to the FULL mark every time the level drops just a bit, and your bike happens to be one that doesn't like running at the FULL mark, you will assume you are using vast quantities of oil when in fact you probably aren't.  Btw, I can't tell anything from the photo, but it certainly looks like the level is well above the ADD mark.

Jerry

[JONNIEROCK]

      I went through the same problem. The only way to check the oil usage is to count how many dots you are down on the dip stick. ( each dot is 2.66 ounces ), always check the oil cold sitting in the exact place, even the slightest variation in the leaning of your bike will result in a false reading. Like the others said, you really need to put on a lot of miles. I would put on at least 3 to 4 thousand. Like I said I had the same problem, mine ended up using about a quart every 3000 miles, I would just change oil when it got a quart low, it was about time for an oil change anyway.
        Hope this helps Jonnierock

[mcflyer]

Not an answer just for comparison I have first hand experience with oil consumption issues on Ford vehicles. Up until 1995 Ford said that oil comsumption of 1 quart per every 1000 miles is acceptable.  Then in 96 they went to 1400 miles per quart until 2011. Then they went to 3500 miles per quart. The last increase took into account, improved oils and increased engine oil capacity, improved engine tolerances, improved machining and materials along with changing their oil change interval to 10000 miles in normal useage. The key to all of this is the improved available oils that will last in excess of 10000 miles. These are modern design water cooled engines not prehistoric air cooled v-twins that have their engine and oil temps vary by several hundred degrees. So if you are doing an oil consution test make sure you have the best oil in it as a lesser grade will literally evaporate in the crankcase and eventually ends up in the air cleaner/breather.