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Oil Check at Idle

3K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  GillyWI 
#1 ·
Morning From Southern California!

I am new to the forum as of today. I purchased a used k1200gt in Jan that had 3400 miles on it. It was loaded with all the aftermarket stuff I wanted such as the large top case for long trips (planned) with the wife, Garmin Zumo, tall windshield, bar backs, which I removed, and a few other things. I bought the bike to take longer trips with my wife who loves to ride. I also have a cream puff 1982 Honda CB 900F SuperSport.

I am sure this question has been asked before, but the last two times I have ridden the bike this week, I noticed at stop lights when I cycle the OB computer to "OIL", I no longer have the Check Mark, but rather just the series of dashes ---- after the word "Oil". I have checked the level according to the manual and it seems fine, but it is a funky way of checking oil level. Could the oil level be low, but not low enought to trip the Caution on the computer?



Thanks,

Mark
 
#2 ·
Oil Check

Mark;
Welcome to the group. You have found an excellent forum for information and discussion on the GT as well as other like bikes.
The light condition you have described is normal. If you wait for a couple of seconds while idling, the check mark will display. Note that if your oil volume drops below a critical level, a yellow caution light will illuminate.
Enjoy the ride.
EJ
 
#3 ·
Yes welcome...I bought my GT with the same excuse...I mean reason...its for you babe, so you will like to ride. hehehe :D

You will love it for those nice long rides. We did a 2 week 5k mile ride in 2008 and plan a 1 week ride this summer. It is a great tourer.

Oh and what color/year is yours? The silver ones are the fastest. :rotf:
 
#4 ·
+, After a longer ride-say 100miles, when you come to a stop, it will self check (oil level)and the oil check mark will appear.
 
#5 ·
kbmwrs said:
Yes welcome...I bought my GT with the same excuse...I mean reason...its for you babe, so you will like to ride. hehehe :D

You will love it for those nice long rides. We did a 2 week 5k mile ride in 2008 and plan a 1 week ride this summer. It is a great tourer.

Oh and what color/year is yours? The silver ones are the fastest. :rotf:

Yes, I should have mentioned my K1200gt is a 2007 and it is blue. Not my favorite color when I was looking (preferred the dark gray) but on the ride home the sun brought out all the multicolor flakes and I fell in love. I was pleased to learn that the blue bikes are the fastest, although I rarely drive above 6K rpm!

Speaking of ride home, I have never riden a bike newer or more powerful bike than my 82 Honda 900F SS (about 90hp), sad but true, but I was able to jump on the K12gt when I purchased it and ride it 6.5 hours straight home only stopping for gas. I was amazed at how fresh I still felt when I got home. I just set the cruise control at 85 mph and tucked below the Cee Bailey shield. Had my IPOD going. My computer said I was getting 41 mpg at 85.

We are also planning a trip for later this month to my wife's sisters house in central CA. Should be a gorgeous ride once we hit Santa Barbara. We will back road it all the way from there.

Mark
 
#6 ·
In order for the Oil Level Indicator to work, the bike must be warmed up, level, and at idle. After a minute or so, you should see the Check Mark. The - - - just means it doesn't yet have a current reading. Sometimes, I'll get the check mark while waiting at a particularly long stop light, but not at shorter stops.

You can also check the oil level by looking at the oil dipstick located under the seat (unscrew dipstick, wipe it clean, then place it back into position but don't screw it back in, then pull it out and check the wet part against the max/min marks on the end of the dipstick), or by looking at the clear tube running alongside the oil tank on the right side of the bike (there are max/min marks on this clear tube also). In both of those cases, the bike should be warmed up but not running.
 
#7 ·
Meese said:
In order for the Oil Level Indicator to work, the bike must be warmed up, level, and at idle. After a minute or so, you should see the Check Mark. The - - - just means it doesn't yet have a current reading. Sometimes, I'll get the check mark while waiting at a particularly long stop light, but not at shorter stops.

You can also check the oil level by looking at the oil dipstick located under the seat (unscrew dipstick, wipe it clean, then place it back into position but don't screw it back in, then pull it out and check the wet part against the max/min marks on the end of the dipstick), or by looking at the clear tube running alongside the oil tank on the right side of the bike (there are max/min marks on this clear tube also). In both of those cases, the bike should be warmed up but not running.

Thanks Meese

I did do the oil check under the seat as per Owners Manual and it looked fine. But I did not notice the clear tube. I will check that tonight.

Do these bikes have a history of using oil? I have driven BMW cars since 1980 and they all use oil. My last ride was a 2002 M3 and it used a fair amount if I was on the throttle a lot.

Mark
 
#10 · (Edited)
What I've found regarding the oil check, is that when you are riding and page through the OBC (BC) screen, it sort of depends on what screen (or setting) you leave it in regarding if the oil check will come on at a stop.
I believe it is one of the fuel mileage screens. If you set it at ambient temp for example I have never had it go in to the oil check screen by itself.
Most think that the bike "thinks" the oil should be checked occasionally, but i swear it depends on the operator and what he/she is doing during the ride with the BC button.
You will notice that at idle and stopped, the oil check WILL come up in the BC screen if you page through everything, but while moving the oil check screen does not present itself.
If you page though while riding and leave it in a certain setting, the oil check will come on as you come to a stop. Initially the dashed lines, and as has been stated, the level will get a check mark, it seems like it takes 30 seconds or so before it will check it off.

And the one you wanted was indeed the fastest color, don't listen to all these wanna-be dark graphite owners. Some guys have it, some don't..............whooosh!


Gilly
 
#11 ·
GillyWI said:
What I've found regarding the oil check, is that when you are riding and page through the OBC (BC) screen, it sort of depends on what screen (or setting) you leave it in regarding if the oil check will come on at a stop.
I believe it is one of the fuel mileage screens. If you set it at ambient temp for example I have never had it go in to the oil check screen by itself.
Most think that the bike "thinks" the oil should be checked occasionally, but i swear it depends on the operator and what he/she is doing during the ride with the BC button.
You will notice that at idle and stopped, the oil check WILL come up in the BC screen if you page through everything, but while moving the oil check screen does not present itself.
If you page though while riding and leave it in a certain setting, the oil check will come on as you come to a stop. Initially the dashed lines, and as has been stated, the level will get a check mark, it seems like it takes 30 seconds or so before it will check it off.

And the one you wanted was indeed the fastest color, don't listen to all these wanna-be dark graphite owners. Some guys have it, some don't..............whooosh!
<photo of YF-12>

Gilly
It may surprise you to learn that the actual paint color of that aircraft is a very dark blue. Draw your own conclusions.
 
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