Rocket 3 Storm R - how to check oil level?

Journeyman said:

I don't think it's what "dealers are doing" - it's that dealer, and it's incorrect. You've now added in enough oil for it to be at the correct level and, as you said everything is fine. You now know more about this topic than that dealer, which would make me wonder how much else he doesn't know. Just say'n......

Click to expand...

I’m new to this but, not new to vehicle maintenance. It seems like Triumph dealers are tightly controlled by corporate. Apparently, they are required to use and sell expensive Triumph branded parts and materials. I’m not willing to say I know more about the subject than my dealer—after all I’m new to this bike—but there is a clearly stated volume of oil type and quantity to use when replacing oil and filter. That is 4.6 liters. I believe my dealer is doing that. I think there is a difference at the corporate level because a) the oil level doesn’t matter much on a dry sump engine and b) they want to control costs for the dealers. I do not believe there is any sinister intent by my dealer.

I gotta change my oil in about 800 miles (2 weeks) since I do it every 2000, I'll add 4.6 liters and see where it brings the oil level, I'll post what I actually put in after that because I know it takes more usually. Hermies oil change kit comes with 6 liters of oil so I'd guess I use over 5 liters.

I have a bad memory, but I seem to recall needing to add about a liter of oil after putting the recommended amount. just to get it in the cross hatch. I'll pay more attention at the next change after this thread.

GTAgAu said:

Hey, are there any threads about alternate motor oils? I’ve tried search and can’t find any but can’t believe that hasn’t been discussed at length. Searching myself I’ve found 4T oils by Motul, Castrol Power1, Ultra1Plus, LiquiMoly, Mobil1, Valvoline and more. Triumph oil is ester based. The only other oil I’ve seen that advertises that is Motul and it’s reflected in the price. I saw somewhere that Triumph recommended Castrol, probably before they came out with their own brand (English to English). I wonder if Motul is making Triumph oil.

Click to expand...

Triumph oils are made by Silkolene.

It’s fine where it is. Mine is about 2/3 to MAX. Be as finicky checking tire pressures as you are with oil level. Must be some great riding roads near you. How does this beast do in the mountain switchbacks? We finally got spring here in the Midwest U.S. so getting some miles on now. Out of curiosity I checked Switzerland’s latitude. You are pretty far north 45-47. I am in Indianapolis which is much further south than people might think—40 which looks to be equivalent to southern Spain and Italy.

Changed my oil and filter today. 5 liters puts the level right in the middle of the crosshatch. I always add more to bring it to the top which is around 5.5 liters.

mo8414 said:

Changed my oil and filter today. 5 liters puts the level right in the middle of the crosshatch. I always add more to bring it to the top which is around 5.5 liters.

Click to expand...

This makes perfect sense. The service manager at my dealer did my oil change. Knowing my sensitivity to correct oil level, he said he kept adding until oil level showed MAX. But of course, he was just pulling the dipstick on a warm engine. I checked it the next morning and it was 1/8” above MIN, which is at least an improvement. I gave up and just bought a liter to set it myself. I won’t be servicing oil until December and I need peace of mind for all the riding I plan to do the rest of the year.

The process of checking the oil level has probably been described. If not, this is what I do: In the morning, I start the bike cold, without revving, let the engine run for 1:15 minutes, then stop, open the cap, pull the dipstick out a little (so it's cleaner and the oil drips off it) and after 3:30 minutes I check the level.

Now the question for million dollars: How much oil should there be? Some people (including those in the automotive industry) say somewhere in the middle between the marks. Never fill to the top line. My question is: Why not full? WTF is the top mark there for, if not as a full mark??? Because if it's only supposed to be half, the bike manufacturer would put it on that half! Right?
After my last oil change at an authorized service, I checked it the next day and ****, there was almost no oil on the dipstick! I sent them a complaint and a photo, they sent me a 1l bottle and I put almost everything in there to reach the upper mark! Then they apologized to me and said that they changed the procedure and are putting more oil in because they checked that I was really right. But they don't put it all the way to the top, only about 1cm above the lower mark. So I must after each service interval buy next bottle to fill it properly!
Honestly, in my opinion, this stupidity about filling the oil halfway (or only 1cm above the lower mark) is outright theft. With the wholesale price of 1l of oil being, say, 10 euros (even if only 5), and with the production of 3-11 million cars by the largest car manufacturers, we are talking about completely different numbers that they save and pass on to us in small amounts. Basically, they rob each of us of those 10 euros, we don't mind, and they have 30-100 million euros in their pockets. Every year, I remind you. For every one (big) producer. And in smaller money also for each service, because we pay for oil change really big price.

I find that changing my own oil not only saves money, but is much faster than taking the bike to the dealer and having to wait, and allows me to use the brand I prefer. No need to lift the bike and just requires a ratchet, two hex sockets and a torque wrench. Spend less/ride more....