In 5000 miles, I lost 1.5 quarts of oil. I know a lot of big cc's bike burn some but I found it surprising to loose so much at a relatively low interval, using good quality oil (Motul 300 V Double Ester 10w40).
I had a valve clearance check, replaced gaskets and bolts after finding out I had the dreaded but too common left side valve cover leak and checked my header bolts. I read a lot on the subject and couldn't come up with a definitive answer. One thread that I found interesting: Oil consumption
In the thread one member tell the OP, he is running his bike to hard? Come on! The 14 is a sport bike. I use it for the backroads blast: 200-300 miles at least every other week and for commuting to work (10 miles: round trip). The bike is usually warmed up for 2 min sometimes less and ridden hard: a couple of second at 8-10k rpms, throttle blips, hard accelerations and then seats for my eight hour shift. The ride back is usually mellow but has more stop and go (more lights) and once in a while a cager driving something he/she thinks is fast ask me for a demonstration. Then it's back to the house and the bike usually sleeps for at least 10 hours.
Do modern bikes need warm up time? What is considered hard riding? Also Kawasaki says that loosing a considerable amount of oil is acceptable? What's up with that? Finally, 100-150 mph is nothing for these big cc's bike so why would riding at those speed for extended period of time be harmful to the motor or at least make it burn oil?

Finally, there are to be more 14 that burn oil out there but because a lot of people change their oil at 2000-2500 miles they don't notice it!

* Last updated by: dragking on 11/23/2012 @ 10:21 PM *

"Also Kawasaki says that loosing a considerable amount of oil acceptable? What's up with that?"

I'd like to see where Kawasaki ever said....'losing oil is okay'.There's a problem IMO losing 1.5 qts in 5k.
I ran 5k on full syn one time in my 07 accidentally...I did NOT have to add 1.5 qts at any time....maybe...a couple of ounces every so often....but nothing unusual for aggressive riding.

I could see a small amount...maybe several ounces...but THAT much?Perhaps someone will chime in here and give their advice.Maybe...it's possible...you're saying it is...okay....if it is with yours...it is.It doesn't sound normal to me??????

The gasket seep isn't gonna blow out that much....you'd see it all over your headers.

It's 'possible'your engine isn't too thrilled with that 300v.....maybe try something higher...7100 Syn...OR..a slightly thicker viscosity...IDK.Finding any oil traces(like burnt drops)at the exhaust outlet?Blowing any smoke at all?(no pun intended )

He left out one important thing....(not to mention...he's had 3 14's that do the same thing).....break-in.He never said how he did that.His statement about Kawasaki saying it's okay....I'm not buyin it....unless a guy was full on dragracing...then it might be possible for Kawasaki to go with that.Sorry....hate to be contrary about that...but 3 14's?All burning excessive oil?With minimal mileage?

Kawasaki explicitly warns in the owner's manual......not following the recommended break-in values may produce a BROKEN DOWN motorcycle instead of a broken in motorcycle within a few thousand Kilometers.(minimal mileage for these anyway)

The saying.."break it in like yer gonna ride it"...well....maybe he rode it like a GP bike straight out the crate?????

Friend of mine bought a brand new Busa...previous to the new one he got in 08.The first one...within 5k...it was burning oil and such.He broke it in like he stole it....It took 5k to start showing up.Never did get it corrected.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/23/2012 @ 10:25 PM *

The P. O. of my bike used Motul 300V. Before I did the first oil change, I was having to top it up now and then as the level would drop a bit. I didn't keep track of how much it used, but it was less than a quart by the time I figured it was due for a change. When I changed, I went with Mobil 1 4T since I had most of a case on hand from the previous bike. Having taken several long weekenders including higher speeds and twisties taken in the upper rpm range, I've noticed it no longer uses any oil. It was still on the mark when it came due for another change, and hasn't used any since then, either. I always carry a partial quart of oil along on trips, but I haven't had to use it since I switched to the Mobil 1 4T. Possibly the P. O. was b.s.ing about using the Motul or the Motul burns easier? Don't know for sure, but try the Mobil 1 4T or some other oil and see if consumption drops. If not, consider getting a leakdown test to insure your piston rings have integrity.

I have read several articles on that. I'm a firm believer that you can ride the bike like you stole it straight out of the crate. This is exactly what I'm planning to do with my S'thou next year. That being said, I bought my 14 with 3000 miles and the OEM tires didn't show any sign of hard riding. Besides, Kruz and Rook say their 14 burn oil. It's far fetched but it could be that I have been burning oil for a long time and since/because I don't go by the sight glass reading and just dump 4 4 L bottles and top it up with tiny amounts. I have now a big deficit. The sight glass looked pretty good last time I did the oil change but my garage not being level, I can't tell for sure. I may have to add a little more and see...

Don't know for sure, but try the Mobil 1 4T or some other oil and see if consumption drops. If not, consider getting a leakdown test to insure your piston rings have integrity.

well...I guess you could change your oil...put in the recommended amount,check your sightglass...even if it's not level(fore and aft)...if you check everytime in the same position,you'll get an accurate read no matter what.It doesn't HAVE to be sitting midline or whatever....long as YOU know the right amount was put in.Make a visual mental note...and go with that.

That's one deal that always makes me kinda laugh....guys worrying about oil levels,and how to check.Long as the right amount is put in....and you check it in the same spot everytime...it will always read how it's supposed to.Factory specs....whether that shows up as "overfilled'(above the midline),or lower,it will be correct.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/24/2012 @ 10:48 AM *

^^^ That's what I did yesterday!

Aren't ya glad you don't have a BUSA...what a pain changing oil in those things!

DragKing, you're '06 is using 9.6 ounces per thousand miles, my '06 uses 12.3 ounces per thousand on Rotella. I broke mine in by the book and have 17,300 miles as of this morning.

I have the rocker leak and see oil film on the left fairing. Rook said his oil consumption has dropped after fixing the leak. I do not go by the sight glass but measure very accurately what goes in and what comes back out at the oil change.

"9.6 ounces per thousand miles"...that sounds pretty serious.

"12.3 ounces per thousand on Rotella"...geez...what heck you guys doing...redlining everywhere;)?

No way did either of my 14's drop that much....sheesh.I ran 5K at one time...added just a smidgen maybe once or twice.7100 full syn Motul(10/40).Sounds like your oil is a tad more slippery than mine?Something.

Aren't ya glad you don't have a BUSA...what a pain changing oil in those things!

I have the rocker leak and see oil film on the left fairing. Rook said his oil consumption has dropped after fixing the leak. I do not go by the sight glass but measure very accurately what goes in and what comes back out at the oil change.

"Depends! Do they burn oil?".....

Well, how much oil do you leak from the rocker cover everytime you shutdown and park the bike for a few days? 1 teaspoon of oil maybe? I'm guessing here. I make very short runs on my 14, 14 miles each trip, same route everytime with lots of full throttle then shut down for about three days and ride the other bikes. That's about 71 trips per thousand miles and I lose 1 teaspoon to the rocker leak each time. Again, just guessing on the oil leaked.

1 US teaspoon is 0.166 US fluid ounces so thats 11.857 ounces per thousand miles leaked, almost all of my oil consumption right there.

Now my use of the bike is not typical, a lot of guys ride much further each trip and the bike doesn't sit as long but for my useage it would explain a lot of my oil consumption.

From what I've seen the oil only leaks when the machine is parked. My tailpipes have light dry carbon fluff from Ivan's rich map setup, no wet oil and no smoke.

Where else would the oil go but to leakage?

Rook, since fixing the rocker cover leak, what is your oil consumption?

Well..that makes more sense now...12.9-11 something...that sounds somewhat better...probably a normal amount?IDK....An ounce is kind of...a lot.Maybe fix that leak?I know in that one 5k period...ounces were all I put in...nothing major.And only a couple of times.

I'm still curious about the claim that Kawasaki gave the nod to burning(losing)oil....maybe a mechanic said that...hoping to get out of a ring job or something.I think you'd find that 'most' owners would find 12.9 per 1k miles....not okay.But you explained it nicely with the cover leak numbers.Mine started seeping at around 10k(on my 07)...somewhere in there is when I first noticed oil on the motor up top and under that rubber mat.I shimmed the cover bolts at that left side...never leaked again.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/24/2012 @ 9:01 PM *

Yea, I need to get in there and fix that leak, Rook said it had a big impact on his oil consumption. Full throttle on these bikes also will use more oil, just cruising uses minimum oil. This is the only Kawi I've had that I broke in by the book, all others I rode it like I stole it and they don't use any oil. Go figure!

An ounce us kind of a lot

For one ride, I'd say yes but one teaspoon is not a lot of oil and if it leaks onto the header it gets burned up. Rook said there was no residue on his headers, just evaporated the oil.

Thank You Erik....excellent response!;)

In 5000 miles, I lost 1.5 quarts of oil.

I change every 2500. I was needing to add about 3/4 qt between changes before I did the washer fix on my head cover. After the fix, I think the oil consumption was less but not a whole lot less. Mine is leaking again a bit so you might check yours. I plan to replace the gasket and go with the updated bolts and ringos that came out on the 09. I still have a hunch The bike will use some oil. I gave up worrying about it. As long as I can go 500 miles between adding, I can live with it.

At the very least you would think you would smell burning oil?

Erik, every time I shutdown, there is a very strong odor of burning oil coming off my header and the aforementioned film of oil on the left side lower fairing. I don't know if is all of the oil consumption but it is going to certainly account for at least some of it.

At any rate my 14 runs like a raped baboon and there is no exhaust smoke or oil residue in the tailpipe so I'm not going to worry about it.

I think Jagman and I are going to do a run on the 14s sometime soon, I'll get him to video the exhaust when I nail it. I'm not going to overhaul the topend when the bike has only 17,000 miles and runs so sweet. I plan to just keep on riding it, a little oil to top it off now and then is not a big deal, also it sounds like I'm not the only one using oil.

Just out of curiousity, what is a typical ride for you, how many miles and then how long does it sit between rides? I don't know anyone who rides their 14 like I do, short but very intense rides with near WOT in a couple of turns near my house and the ride back home and park it for a couple days. Large throttle openings use more oil than cruise settings because of increased case pressure and blowby.

Changing subjects, I almost never do a long ride on my 14 anymore since it burns fuel like an F-16 and eats tires at an incredible rate, if I can get 1600 miles out a rear I feel lucky. A trip to San Antonio and back would eat up about $110 worth of rubber but no way am I going to stick hard compound, high mileage tires on this thing.

"since it burns fuel like an F-16"...hmmmm....

"on a "cold" bike, pulling out of the campground"...might I suggest...water vapor?

Hmmmm, interesting thread.

In 35k miles I havent observed oil comsumption. The only time I noticed a drop in the level was when the gasket leak got bad. No problem AFTER fixing valve cover gasket. I just added washers under the cover bolts and a new gasket. The leak suddenly got worse at a track day, nice huh.
I fixed it right after that track day and no problem since.

Kruz, You will probably find a fine mess from what you describe.
My leak was really slow for awhile. It gradually got worse until finally I started smelling the 'burnt oil smell' at the track.

I usually have to empty the oil catch twice between changes. Perhaps your oil is getting sucked out via the crankcase vent?
Since I never had a problem I never troubleshoot it.

* Last updated by: skiffman on 11/27/2012 @ 7:47 AM *

I think they were just pulling my tit and hoped I'd slow down so their "real bikes" could keep up and not make them look like they were on some kind of overly loud pedal bike.

These slackers didn't by any chance happen to be riding on machines assembled in Milwaukee Wisconsin with the name on the tank beginning with an "H" and ending with "Davidson"?

@Erik...you probably wouldn't see it...a 'puff' of white smoke would be gone like...well...a fart in the wind.Reason I mentioned about the water deal....I fired mine up last year...been sitting...it was kinda cold.Fired her up...gassed her a couple of times(before totally warming)...and there it was...PUFFS of 'white smoke"...I thought...shit...I hope it's not....then within several minutes...it was gone.It COULD appear as oil smoke...mine did....sometimes there's quite bit of condensation from that cat in the muffler...or the midpipe along there...she'll drip a few drops....that got my attention the first time I saw that sitting on the floor...

It only 'puffed' when I applied brisk throttle...after she warmed up....voila!

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/27/2012 @ 8:51 AM *