Oil consumption normal or symptomatic?

[Warthog]

I've not had a bike that burns oil for some time. I've also stopped using my bikes as much now that I live in Estonia. In fact the longest mileage that I have undertaken since being in Estonia was my recent trip to France.

When I bought my 1993 TA, I rode it from Calais to Rostock in one hit. I don't recall it burning oil, but I do recalling checking. That was November.

This time I rode about 2500 miles in 2 weeks and I went through a litre of oil during that time..

The difference was that some of that riding was rather spirited (the Massif Central mountain roads) and almost all of it was in very hot temperatures above 35 degrees, ambient). In fact the whole first day's ride from Rostock to Strasbourg was allegedly about 40 degrees: it was like riding with a hairdryer in your face for 11 hours. And that was the first instance of oil consumption that I registered.

So, taking into account the temperatures, the miles and the long days in the saddle, should I be concerned that my 35K mile bike has supped a litre of oil?

[StumpyFingers]

I would not worry too much unless it becomes common.
The temperatures you mention could have had a lot to do with it.

[rlkat]

Both my 600 transalps have used oil on long, high speed, motorway runs. I went to Italy in 2007 (about 2800 miles) and used about 1 litre of oil. I use my bike everyday for commuting and I top it up every 6 weeks, or there abouts, with 250-300ml of oil. Not a problem.

rob

[raymo]

Both my 600 transalps have used oil on long, high speed, motorway runs. I went to Italy in 2007 (about 2800 miles) and used about 1 litre of oil. I use my bike everyday for commuting and I top it up every 6 weeks, or there abouts, with 250-300ml of oil. Not a problem.

rob

depends on the bike, my alp does not use any... it's a 30k + bike and even on the Stella with high temps and some high speed Auto routes, it used zero..

I think Honda quote 1l /1000miles as normal/ acceptable ( need to check though ) but I would be concerned at an alp using that much..

if your bike uses a wee bit of oil no worries, if the consumption changes then thats time to worry, but as long as its managable just dont let it get too low !!!

if the bike been stood a while could be a stuck piston ring,,, try a shot of redex down the bore, through the spark plug hole and leave overnight .. then smoke folks out in the morning

just keep an eyeon it

[cookingfat]

Warthog, my 1998 600 transalp uses oil under the same circumstances. On gentle tootles around the less travelled bye ways it uses no oil at all, go for a hard belt or a fast run up a motorway and it will use oil, however, I don't see any blue smoke so my question is; is it burning oil?

UP THE WORKERS!

[phil w]

Strange one there... when I had it the only time I topped it up was in the high temps and riding condition of the Pyrenees. It was topped up with about half a lit I think just before I left to run home and never required it again