Rocket 3 Storm R - how to check oil level?

[Fastmike]

Gents,

I am sure that has been discussed many times but I am very confused since I discussed that with Triumph rep. He told since they have limited time, they check the oil level with the engine being warm. Put about 5 liters and run it for 5 minutes, stop it for 5 minutes and check. This is what I saw:

The Triumph User Manual says:
1. NEVER check the level when the engine is WARM
2. Ensure the engine is COLD
3. On side stand, start the engine for 60 to 90 seconds then stop it for 3 minutes and check the oil level

This is what I did the next morning, engine cold, in my garage, and got this:

Excerpt of Triumph user manual:

If I check again with engine being hot, after a ride, and let it rest for 5 minutes, I got the first reading.

Whom to trust??? Triumph procedure, or Triumph Tech???

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

I own a 2.3L Gen 1 Rocket. Both Gen bikes use dry sump oil systems. Most of the oil is in a tank outside of the engine. The oil will leak down some into the engine over time. The Gen 1 2.3L bikes was always measured after running a cold engine for 60 to 90 seconds. then wait 3 mins. So that part is right. These bikes oil check is done with the bike in the upright position.

Now the Gen 2 2.5L bikes do it a little differently. And it was a big surprise to many of us as the new way just does not seam to be right. But it is as far as I know. Run the cold engine for the 60 to 90 seconds, wait the 3 mins, then check the dip stick with the bike on the sidestand. I know that seams to be a little nuts.

 

[Fastmike]

Understood, but that means that Triumph's tech are always doing it wrong since they have to work on warm engine since customers is waiting to get his bike back in less then 2 hours? That will be scary because looking at mine in the morning, I am below the min. If they are right, by adding oil I will overfill, if not, they are taking the risk of killing engines by running them low on oil... would be nice to have Triumph clear input on that!

 

[mo8414]

pretty much full would be ideal but a little low most likely isn't going to hurt. It would be nice if they told ya to check your oil the following day to make sure its within perameters.

 

[Fastmike]

Had to add 1.2 liter to get right in the middle between Min-Max! Seems a lot to me...

 

[mo8414]

Had to add 1.2 liter to get right in the middle between Min-Max! Seems a lot to me...

Between the low mark and high mark is probably a quart so you could conclude that the engine is good even at a quart lower than the most it can take. Realistically it would probably be fine even 1/2 a quart under the lowest line on the stick. From what i've heard, as long as there is oil on the stick its not low enough to be detrimental.

 

[Fastmike]

Hope you are right, but still finding abnormal that Triumph Tech put not enough oil not knowing the proper procedure nor volume to add after oil and filter replacement. In case of failure, they will point to customer saying that you are in charge of checking...

 

[mo8414]

Hope you are right, but still finding abnormal that Triumph Tech put not enough oil not knowing the proper procedure nor volume to add after oil and filter replacement. In case of failure, they will point to customer saying that you are in charge of checking...

When I change my oil my bike takes more than what the book says it should take to get it to the upper range of being full. Seems to take about an extra quart and a half or so to get it there. Maybe the amount the service manual suggests puts you at the bottom of the range. Its hard to say.

If the engine does blow because of oil, just make sure it has the right amount in the engine before taking it in for warranty lol. I doubt it would be an issue unless they drained it and only got like a quart or 2 out of it sonce they cant use the dip stick to check it if they can't start it for 90 seconds.

 

[GTAgAu]

So, I bought a ‘26 GT on Jan 13 and of course read through the manual. I’ve never seen an oil level check procedure like this but I’ve never had a dry sump engine so I do as shown in the manual. As delivered from the dealer (factory), the oil level is barely touching the MIN level. This greatly disturbed me so I went to see the Service Manager at my dealer. He smiled like he had heard this before and said, “anywhere between MIN and MAX”. But, he gave me a liter of the very expensive Triumph ester synthetic. He told me to check oil when cold before starting it and sure enough the level was over MAX. But, I went ahead and added 2/3 of a liter and the level showed at 2/3 the way between MIN and MAX with the factory method. . I feel much more comfortable at this level, especially during break-in. If you (or the dealer) are changing the oil on a hot engine, I’m sure there is a quantity that will result in a proper reading after the factory method. Apparently, that quantity is more than shown in the manual which is probably what dealers are putting in. I will be watching it like a hawk after it goes in for its first service in about a month. I got a deal to prepay for two services so I will be counting on the dealer for the next year at least. If I have to buy a liter of oil to get the level right with the factory level I will do it. I would love to hear from a factory rep on this controversy.

 

[pabcri]

Hope you are right, but still finding abnormal that Triumph Tech put not enough oil not knowing the proper procedure nor volume to add after oil and filter replacement. In case of failure, they will point to customer saying that you are in charge of checking...

Hi

I’d like to share my experience because I’m quite confused about the oil level on my Rocket 3 Storm (6600 km), and it seems very similar to what is discussed here.

I bought the bike at the end of last year with around 6000 km, and the service had just been done.

When I first checked the oil myself, the dipstick was dry. I called the dealer and explained the situation. He asked me to follow the procedure from the manual again.

After doing that, the oil just started to touch the dipstick. I called him again, and he told me to repeat the procedure and wait 5 minutes. I did it again, same result. After repeating once more, the level was slightly higher, but still far below the MIN mark.

I then went to the dealer, and they confirmed that the bike had enough oil and that I should not worry, as they have never seen a Rocket 3 consume oil.

However, I prefer to be on the safe side, so I checked again at home, because if the engine runs with too little oil, it will be my responsibility.

I followed the manual procedure exactly:

• engine cold
• idle for 60–90 seconds (no throttle)
• wait 5 minutes
• check on side stand

At first, the oil was barely touching the dipstick (below MIN), so I added oil progressively, every day I add +100ml and check oil level, after adding a total of 300ml, I can clearly see oil on the dipstick, but it is still around or slightly below MIN using the official method.
I'm affraid to continue and overfilled engine oil

However:

• after a ride + 3 minutes → level shows MAX or higher depend on the day, is not always same.
• after the bike sits for a few days → level shows MAX or higher depend on the day, is not always same.

So depending on the method, I get very different readings.

How is your bike running now after you add more that 1 liter? Any issues since then?

And for everyone:
Would you consider being at or slightly below MIN (with the official procedure) acceptable on this engine?

Thanks a lot!