2022 DL1050A using oil?

[mrp192]

Hi, my 1050A now has about 3300 miles on it and when checking it over before a ride recently, I saw the oil level had dipped a bit, so topped up with about 50-70cc of oil to return it to just below the maximum marks after the run up, drain down check from the owner’s manual.
Is this model prone to using oil, or oil leaking from the engine at all?
I have had a good look and can’t see any signs of an obvious leak but after my over use of chain lube and, most lately, setting my new Scottoiler to high, I need to do a thorough clean to check what oily deposits are on there aren’t chain lube or Scottoiler oil.
Until I can do that I just wondered if it was a known issue?
The bike had its first service at 600 miles and I hadn’t notice the level dropping until this week.
Thanks.

[kwackboy]

Depends how you checked the oil....

Was it on the main stand or with both wheels on the ground at balance point.. ?
On the stand will give a slightly different level but it's that minimal,  it's nothing to worry about .
At your current mileage , the engine isn't really run in yet so it might use a little until its properly run in.

[mrp192]

When I check it normally I do it on the centre stand on my flat garage floor, knowing that normally reads slightly higher than wheels on floor.
When I check it properly, after noticing it was less than max on centre stand, I do the run for three minutes, drain down for three minutes check with wheels on floor while my son holds it vertical and upright.
I’m that pedantic I place a small spirit level across the petrol filler cap so he knows when to say it’s vertical.

When I did this the other day the oil level was just below half way between the marks.
However I’ve not done a full check since owning the bike as always shown full on static check.
It’s a procedure I’ve continued doing since the 650 was the same, if you find it confusing I say I do this and then say I haven’t done it before! 🤔

[porter]

My 14 has never used any oil in 40k miles. I change it every 4k and never top it up. It's not like your bike is using a lot, my three Triumph's would have used a litre in top ups in 3000-4000 miles. My three mates fancy bikes,  multi v4, GS te and Tiger12 all use oil.
 Maybe the dealer used a crap oil at the 600 mile service, it has been known. My local dealer used to use uni-part 10w 40 car oil and it would  burn off like mad!  Maybe change the oil for good stuff just incase.

[Joe Rocket]

mrp192, I think you should do the usual checks like is there any evidence of oil on your garage floor or smoking exhaust under load? (You'll need someone to monitor the second indication on a proper ride) That must be the only two ways of 'using' oil.

Unless either are obvious then you're imagining things or over thinking it. The eye glass level is only approximate and you have only the upper and lower marks to verify an acceptable level. It's not marked in Litres or cc's so I'd suggest you do your measuring after letting the bike stand for at least 24 hours, not three minutes. You need to remove the Scottoiler and clean everything down before, of course.

Good hunting. 

[mrp192]

Thank you for your comments. I’ll get it cleaned off properly and then give it a ride with the oiler turned off for a few miles, and then check for leaks.
The oil at the 600 mile service was Motul 10/40 semi synthetic, so I will be doing a complete change soon anyway at the half service mileage.
Hopefully it’s a one off and I haven’t got something more sinister developing.
Thanks again.

[Gert]

If no obvious signs of an oil leak found externally, have a look inside the air box for any signs of oil and whether there is a breather sponge fitted in the air box.  Also have a look around the oil filter and oil drain plug for signs of oil.
For reference the breather filter is part #13 in https://www.bike-parts-suz.com/Suzuki-motorcycle/1050-MOTO/V-STROM/2020/DL1050RC-M0-E21-/ENGINE-TRANSMISSION/AIR-FILTER/2047000000/2047320339/M/2407

[Upt North]

As KwackBoy points out, it could well be newness. Although the small amount of oil usage you refer to shouldn't really be cause for concern anyway. Should it?
There's nothing wrong with Motul oils so I don't think that's an issue.
But, are you overfilling it by checking the oil levels too soon after running. I'm with JR, let it run down overnight then check, if it's a tadge under the top level just leave it and keep checking the day after using it.
Does it continue to go down or does it stabilise. If it stabilises you are simply overfilling which ain't good.
Good luck.
Upt'North.

[Barbel Mick]

As above 3 hours isn't long enough to leave it standing after running the bike!
The engine will drain more oil over a 12 hour period.

[Upt North]

I was wondering where this 3 minute nonsense was coming from, then I read the manual .
I think the manuals are written with service shops in mind, after three minutes it would be near enough to say job done.
I would never check the oil after three minutes in my own home environment all you will be doing is overfilling.
It reminds me of the French Autoroutes years ago where they checked your oil for you (yes, I am that old) at the fuel stations.
Dip your oil Monsieur. Non, sod off.
The ones that had their oils checked and topped up with the most expensive oil in Europe burnt it all away by the next stop. And so it continued.
Plus, friend, why are you changing the oil so early.
Upt'North.

[Barbel Mick]

Three minutes!!!   I misread the original most as 3 hours & still didn't think that's long enough for it to fully return after running it.
Upt North, I've always changed my oil at 3k miles. Occasionally a bit more, but only a bit! 

[vstroman]

I change oil and filter every 5000 miles, easy to rem and the bike never needs top ups between changes. Check her on the centre stand, if the oil is just at the top of the glass it will be at the full mark if she was on her wheels sitting level.
on the subject of oil
Does anyone know if there's much of a difference between Motul 5000 and Motul 5100 10w40 semi synthetic?

[Upt North]

I thought 5000 and 5100 were different SAE.
5100 is semi synthetic but I don't think 5000 is?
But if you already knew that and from my very limited oil'ology brain cells I would think in the real world, it would equate to better high temp protection from the 5100 and longer oil life.
In reality other than the SAE, it would probably make little difference, especially if your changing oil at ridiculous short intervals and not riding in very high ambients.
Upt'North.

[pb]

Hi mrp192, I have a 2015 650 which used a little bit of oil until about 5,000 miles, never used a drop between services since. Maybe some bikes just take longer to bed in than others! I'm now using fully synthetic Motul oil which seems to work really well.

[mr_diver]

My k6 wee used to use around 150ml between 4k services from 20k to 60k.

Used a little more on a long fast motorway run.

The Varadero uses a fair bit more around 100-120ml per 1000 miles- anything under 150ml per 1000 miles is understood to be normal for them.
The manual says 8k oil change intervals, like most Honda's of that era, but everyone changes oil at 4k.

[Rixington43]

Don't know if the design has been updated on the 1050 but I read that the old 1000 would use oil at high speeds (exacerbated by high ambient temps) as the high airflow through the airbox can cause oil vapour to be drawn out of the crank case breather.
This has certainly proved true on mine which hasn't touched a drop of oil in 1,000 miles since I bought it with the exception of cruising at 100ish on the Autobahn in 38 degrees where it promptly dropped from max fill to min fill in about 3 days. Hasn't touched a drop again since.

[Rixington43]

* 10,000 miles, I'm not that fair weather ;)

[mr_diver]

The old TL engine and VTR firestorm engine were considered sport engines- modern sports engines are designed to use oil to a degree for some performance reasons and the loss of oil was of little consequence due to frequent oil changes when used on track.

It only becomes apparent when you start giving the engine an easier life in a touring bike and service per schedule.

With the development of the engine into something more suited for touring they start engineering longevity back in rather than outright performance. I know various developments were done to pistons, rings, coatings on the cylinders and valves on the SV650 engine when then went from the jelly mould to the angular shapes ones and then into the DL650 Gen 1.
Then mode developments into the Glee.

[jabmotorsport]

It depends on which oil you are using. whether its 10w40 semi or fully synth can be a big influence. If its car oil id expect the MPG to come down a bit... 

Honestly I wouldn't worry about topping up a splash if it needs it every now and then. I've had to put a splash in the 650 between services, only once mind. Change the oil and filter every 5k or so and its never missed a beat  .... I inherited a work bike the other day and put a whole litre in it ... its a bit quieter now

[porter]

I once worked with an oil expert from Mobil for a few months, and while standing about waiting for a gearbox to explode we talked oil and bikes etc. He recommended a semi synthetic for most average vehicles and drivers. He said its possible to over oil as well as under, ie use a fully synthetic oil in a small car and only drive a 50-60 mph(that's me) or similar in a bike. 
He recommended 3k miles for a bike or one year and 6k miles or one year for a car. Also a ten minute warm up, not sitting just driving easy.
  This was in 1992 so I guess things have moved on a bit but I still stick to this more or less.