Ok me and my bud had this discussion today. Is it correct to check your ds oil with the engine running or turned off, or is there any difference?

 

I've never checked it running. try checking it off, then check it running, and see if there is a difference. if there is a difference, stick with checking it off. the oil return line is probably gonna be throwing oil all over the dipstick while running, not sure if you can get an accurate reading running.

 

I let mine run for awhile, then I turn it off and let it sit a couple of minutes, then check the oil. Pull the dipstick, wipe it off then set it back in, don't screw it back in. Pull it out and look at the level.

Thas wut I doo[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I think Hightower is right... checking with the oil with the bike running will be hard due to the return throwing oil everywhere. I check mine warm but not running.

 

You should check it while it's not running. just my .02¢ . =]

 

is the oil level on the ds as critical as most machines it does hold almost 4 quarts, most others are around 2, so if it was off a oz or so it might not hurt rumor is some have downsized to 1 1/2 quarts no problems, just lots of oil changes.

 

I have run low by almost a whole quart before. As soon as I realized it I changed my oil... right at the dunes actually. No metal or anything like that in the oil... it was actually running really good. That was three years ago and never had a problem since with rings or anything related to low oil. I know some of the racers run smaller oil tanks... its probably ok.

 

Just like anything, cars etc, get the bike warm, let it cool a minute or so, so you can actually check it and the oil will have returned to it's location, then check the oil. Like DS said, pull the dipstick, wipe if off and set it back in. Pull it out and there ya go.

 

In my DS manual it tells you to screw the dipstick back in when checking the level.....every other machine ive had you just stick it back on top of the threads? how do you guys check it.