i know this is a dumb question but how do you correctly check the oil level on a 2004 z400? mine sat for 3 months so i just checked before i went riding and it wasnt even reading on the dipstick. so i got oil and keep adding till it just started to show on the dipstick. started it up for a couple of seconds than shut it off, i checked the oil a couple of minutes later and it came flying out of the dipstick hole. so i drained it and bought 2 more quarts of oil so i can eride it today but in the future i dont want it to happen again. PLEASES HELP cause im going back to 2 strokes if i cant check the oil without it costing me $30

 

make sure u dont screw it in wen u check it. read the manual and put the exact amount of oil that it says to put in it. i had problems like this with my z250.

 

the z400 has a dry sump....

Which means when it sits for a long time, the oil runs from the tank, into the engine. You are supposed to start it for a few seconds, then shut it down to properly check the level. I know this often scares people because they don't know if there is oil in the engine....

The best thing to do, is check it just before you park it, then park it on a clean area, or put a fresh white oil pad underneath..... that way if it sits for a long period of time, and there is no oil on the floor, you will know the oil is still in there when you go to ride it next time.......