Do you check the oil with bike running or off

[j54]

I know the motor should be warm but I do not know if I should have the bike running or not..

When the motorcycle is off it says full, when the motorcycle is on it looks like it could use more oil.

[music man]

If the engine is running the oil is pumping through it, which means you can't possibly check it, because it is spread out all over the place, so no you engine should not be running. Furthermore, it should not have been running for at least a few minutes before you check it to give all the oil time to settle back down to the bottom. And also your engine does not have to be warm to check it either, it needs to be warm to CHANGE the oil in it, but not to check it.

[j54]

Thank you, that is what I figured, just wanted to make sure. The window is a little strange instead of a dip stick..

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by j54

I know the motor should be warm but I do not know if I should have the bike running or not..

YIKES! Have you ever owned anything else with a gas engine in it ???
Car, truck, lawn mower, etc. ??
They are all the same: The engine must be OFF to check the oil.

I've often wondered why many have changed over to the "sight glass" system; I think now I know!! :roll:

[patrick_777]

Also make sure you're checking it with the bike VERTICAL - not on its side-stand.

[music man]

Originally Posted by patrick_777

Also make sure you're checking it with the bike VERTICAL - not on its side-stand.

Yea I forgot to tell him about that part, I have a piece of 1" by 4" that i sit my kickstand on to "level" it out.

[patrick_777]

That's what I do with the Ninja and Shadow. The GZ is light enough for me to just one-hand it from the throttle while off the bike.

[music man]

Originally Posted by patrick_777

That's what I do with the Ninja and Shadow. The GZ is light enough for me to just one-hand it from the throttle while off the bike.

Well sometimes i just sit on it and look down at it, but its not exactly an exact science doing it that way.

[patrick_777]

Originally Posted by music man

Well sometimes i just sit on it and look down at it, but its not exactly an exact science doing it that way.

I don't think the sight glass method is an exact science anyway.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by patrick_777

I don't think the sight glass method is an exact science anyway.

True but it DOES eliminate the problem of oil spewing all over the place when you take out the dip stick to check the oil while the engine is RUNNING !! :poke2: :biggrin: