Oil Levels on dirt bike

MontyMX815
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MontyMX815
Hey everyone, just trying to get some opinions on best oil level preferences. Do you guys like oil a little lower or higher within the suggested marks. Obviously not too low or over filled.
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Pink
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Pink 11/6/2020 10:45am
11/6/2020 10:45am
Pretty much right on the mark.
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neverwas
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neverwas 11/6/2020 10:56am
11/6/2020 10:56am
Somewhere between not enough and too much. On the hash marks of the dip stick or middle of the window
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MZ193
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MZ193 11/6/2020 10:58am
11/6/2020 10:58am
If the manual says 850ml i usually put 860-870
Also, if you want to help your engine buy a bigger clutch case.
It can help a lot.
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rbspecial138
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rbspecial138 11/6/2020 11:06am
11/6/2020 11:06am
I've found that from manufacturer to manufacturer the oil fill process to be slightly different. I've always had differing results based on the level right after fill, the level after idling for a few minutes immediately a fill and then also the level after a 20 minute moto and settling on the stand for 5 minutes. I usually take the level after running the bike for a few minutes and through the gears, and then check the level after sitting on the stand for 5+ minutes when the oil is hot.

Note: some older bikes with an external oil tank can take a bit for the oil to be pumped fully into the tank and that can also affect the level.
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HondaFan33
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HondaFan33 11/6/2020 11:43am
11/6/2020 11:43am
Lower the better! There’s less oil in the crankcase means less drag on the motor!
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fourfourone
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fourfourone 11/6/2020 12:07pm
11/6/2020 12:07pm Edited Date/Time 11/6/2020 12:08pm
sight glasses aren't meant to be an accurate way to measure oil fill levels. Kawis are notorious for having the sight glass look low or over full depending on what position the motor is in. I've seen people royally screw up the mount of oil in their engines trying to chase the proper fill line. Some bikes are better than others when it comes to the sight glass. Its really just a way to make sure there is oil in the bike.

Always measure. Plus it makes the oil change go much faster.
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Luke_Richards 11/6/2020 12:08pm
11/6/2020 12:08pm
I like to have exactly how much it says to have lol, but I’d rather have just a pinch to much than not enough. I’ve had to much oil in mine before it’s not pretty, it basically throws up
Sheriff245 11/6/2020 12:21pm
11/6/2020 12:21pm
HondaFan33 wrote:
Lower the better! There’s less oil in the crankcase means less drag on the motor!
That’s also extra weight to be carried around.
fourfourone
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fourfourone 11/6/2020 12:31pm
11/6/2020 12:31pm
MZ193 wrote:
If the manual says 850ml i usually put 860-870 Also, if you want to help your engine buy a bigger clutch case. It can help a...
If the manual says 850ml i usually put 860-870
Also, if you want to help your engine buy a bigger clutch case.
It can help a lot.
what lol
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Ryan625
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Ryan625 11/10/2020 9:19am
11/10/2020 9:19am
fatpurplepanda wrote:
measure and fill your oil per your manual. your wallet will thank you.
fourfourone wrote:
this.
Another vote, get a simple pyrex or glass measuring cup. number never change. I have three bikes and none take the exact some spec for a reason I would assume.
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BobPA
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BobPA 11/10/2020 11:05am
11/10/2020 11:05am
HondaFan33 wrote:
Lower the better! There’s less oil in the crankcase means less drag on the motor!
These ain't V8's the oil isn't held in a sump directly below the crank...
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kNewc
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kNewc 11/10/2020 11:48am
11/10/2020 11:48am
I measure out an oz or 2 higher as well. I feel slightly higher will always be better than lower.
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McG194
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McG194 11/10/2020 12:56pm
11/10/2020 12:56pm
fatpurplepanda wrote:
measure and fill your oil per your manual. your wallet will thank you.
Not always the case. Some bikes like to run less oil if the crankcase has a lot of pressure and it doesn't vent as well as it should.

Completely different animal but in my past life I was a master Harley tech (go ahead and insert Harley joke) and one of the first things we'd have a tech do when doing a PDI is remove some oil and go a few squares down on the dipstick. Before we did that we would have brand new bikes coming back with oil soak air cleaners.

I'm not suggesting running dangerously low but if you see oil trying to escape places it shouldn't try a few ounces less. You should be changing it often enough that it will never effect the life of any components.
KawiEd
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KawiEd 11/10/2020 4:47pm
11/10/2020 4:47pm
In general it is safest to measure the exact spec from the manual to put back in the bike as recommended above.
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MotofactioN
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MotofactioN 11/10/2020 4:57pm
11/10/2020 4:57pm
If it’s leaking oil, then it’s got oil!!! Tongue Oh and plus you’ll never have to change it Grinning
kage173
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kage173 11/10/2020 7:24pm
11/10/2020 7:24pm
I'm glad I read this. I never thought oil levels needed to be that precise. On my KTMs I just fill it til it starts leaking out the oil level hole.

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