Bought a 2010 RT

[rcecconi]

I just bought a new RT. First boxer engine and the oil use is pretty high. Have seen heard that it'll burn a lot of oil until around 12000 miles. Is that true??

[greenwald]

I just bought a new RT. First boxer engine and the oil use is pretty high. Have seen heard that it'll burn a lot of oil until around 12000 miles. Is that true??

"A lot" is a subjective opinion. It will likely use up some as you advance towards about 12,000 miles.

After that, virtually nothing, once it's broke in.

Good Luck with the new bike!

[Motodan]

I just bought a new RT. First boxer engine and the oil use is pretty high. Have seen heard that it'll burn a lot of oil until around 12000 miles. Is that true??

A lot?

Just completed 3,000 miles trip from west coast on a 2009 R1200RT that started trip with 1,500 miles on odometer. Used about 10 ounces getting to 4,500 miles.

[marchyman]

I just bought a new RT. First boxer engine and the oil use is pretty high. Have seen heard that it'll burn a lot of oil until around 12000 miles. Is that true??

Some do, some don't. The don't folks have already posted. On the other extreme are the folks who go through a quart the first 1000 miles.

No, I don't know why some do and some don't. Most folks talk about the way they perform break in, but I suspect they really don't know why their bike does or does not use oil and are just guessing.

My oilhead RT used about 1 qt/2500 miles until about 18K miles then used less than a quart/service interval. My current bike, a hexhead GS, used a quart the first 3K and now at 55K uses about 1/2 qt per service interval.

[mneblett]

Some do, some don't. The don't folks have already posted. On the other extreme are the folks who go through a quart the first 1000 miles.

No, I don't know why some do and some don't. Most folks talk about the way they perform break in, but I suspect they really don't know why their bike does or does not use oil and are just guessing.

My oilhead RT used about 1 qt/2500 miles until about 18K miles then used less than a quart/service interval. My current bike, a hexhead GS, used a quart the first 3K and now at 55K uses about 1/2 qt per service interval.

I tend to agree -- the plasma spray-applied cylinder liner material is *extremely* hard, and it takes a long time for the parts to fully seat in. My K bikes tended to use a bit of oil during the break-in, generally stopping within 12-18K miles. My '09 RT is the first new boxer in the garage since my wife's '01 R1150GS, and was initially using a quart per 2.5-3K miles. That's slowed considerably since 6K; I'm currently at 7.7K and I'd guess the rate is at ~1 qt per 5-6K. Overall, while I'd like to have little or no oil consumption, as long as it continues to taper off, I can live with it. I expect it should be done breaking in by ~12K-15K.

[RSPENNACHIO]

For the most part I had to kep an eye on the level untill about 7000 miles. Now my oil usage/consumption is about 3-4 oz between oil changes. That translates to just about the top of the site glass to about the bottom 1/3 which is still well in the proper range. I don't top it off if it's in the window. (No it hasn't dropped below the window either)

I am not sure where I heard this but it was said or writen that alot of engine braking would consume oil. I am not sure about that though Maybe there is a corelation because when I ride the flat lands of SE Michigan to and from work, the oil level never changes but when I ride the Appalachian twisties I do use a little.

[LENRT1200ST]

FWIW - R1200ST 2006, first service it had used about 1/2 quart. After that, she used about 4 oz. or less between standard maintenance/service visits. I took this to be a sign that I had a good breaking in of the engine. Whether that was by careful observation of the techÔÇÖs advice or dumb luck, I donÔÇÖt know.
My 2005 R1200GS uses about 1/2 quart, between servicing.

Len

[themayer]

I started for Redmond with about 3000 miles on my '09 RT. Used just over a quart on the 1600 mile round trip. Seems like a lot. Looking forward to seeing that number decrease.

[tiger1959]

I have a 2010RT with just over 3000 miles on it. After the 600 mile Check I put 2500 miles on it mostly secondary and interstate. 60-80 MPH. I haven't had to add one ounce of oil. I'm a aircraft mechanic for a living and I'm always checking fluid levels ect... so far so good. The more I ride it the more I like it!

[rcecconi]

Appreciate all the responses. Confirms my thoughts. A lot of oil right now means a on my first received oil low indications at 1500 miles while on a road trip. Took a quart. Took another road trip and around 2500 miles took another quart. High, but doesn't necessarily seem unusual for boxers.

[Rpbump]

Ran Dino oil in my CLC until 12k miles. Using Amsoil synthetic since then and average about 3>4oz usage between oil changes. Ride Safe

[tsperez]

I just checked my bike. It's a 2010 RT with 3,840 miles. Had 600 mile service at 800 miles so I have 3,000 on the oil. After the 600/800 mile service I have ridden it hard but top off at 6,000 rpm.

After sitting about 36 hours the oil level was about 3/4 mark on the window. Rode it 10 miles just now and 1 minute after shut off it was at 1/2. After 10 minutes it is at about 5/8 mark. So I guess I'm good.

Anybody know the difference in oz of oil between the top and the bottom of the site glass?

tsp
2010 R1200RT

[marchyman]

Anybody know the difference in oz of oil between the top and the bottom of the site glass?

Approx .5l, 1/2 qt, 16 oz, etc.

[TBRYANT]

Remember too, that it is a good practice to put bike on side stand for a little while so that the oil cooler will drain, otherwise you may get a low oil indication in the sight glass and overfill it. This is also a good practice when changing the oil, put it on the side stand for an hour or so, then put on center stand to change or check oil. Being on the side stand will cause the oil cooler to drain quicker by "breaking the vacuum".

[dwestly]

Wife's new 2010 RT w/ 1500 miles now. No oil usage as of yet, but monitoring carefully...