Oil Consumption

[freqflyer]

I bought a 2005 Kat in late April of this year. It had 9100 miles on it. I put about 600 miles on it and then changed the oil. A good chunk of the 600 was riding it home. I figured that since it had that many miles on it, the engine was fully broken in, so I put Mobil 1 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil in it. I've put about 1600 miles on it since the oil change. It has gone from full oil to halfway between the H and L on the oil window.

Is this excessive oil consumption? I used Rotella on my Ninja 250 and it didn't use a drop between changes.

[05RedKat600]

You sure it's consumption? You checked the airbox drain? Any seepage under the fairings that you can't see? Pull the spark plugs and a have a look at them, that will tell you if it's burning oil or not. What color are they?

[freqflyer]

I don't think it's so excessive that I need to investigate it. I don't say on the fairing or anywhere that would lead me to think it's venting oil.

I was just curious as to what other people notice on their bikes.

[scottynoface]

Its an oil cooled bike, runs hot. traffic and higher ambient temps will lead to some burn off.

[05RedKat600]

I've put 800 miles on mine so far, and no change in oil level, despite a small seep in my valve cover gasket that I haven't fixed yet. Same year as yours, close to same mileage at 8800.

Pulled your plugs and looked at them? Seems a bit excessive to me for a newer Kat. What weight are you running?

[TRPUT]

Neither my '93 (100 000 miles) or '05 (5000 miles) require topping up between 3000 mile interval oil changes. But I am fairly light and I don't thrash them often.