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M8 owners - Oil consumption?

36K views 72 replies 44 participants last post by  TXBackroads 
#1 · (Edited)
Please only M8 experience replies - other threads on internet forums I saw on this issue deviate quickly from the question. I am very curious to hear facts from you other M8 owners as to are YOU having any Oil consumption issues --- OR --- are you Not seeing this with your M8?

This post is pre-dealer visit as its Sunday and just returned from long trip. This my 4th RG in 20 years, I do ride pretty hard and long trips often but never had a Harley burn oil in all those years till this M8.

My story ......bike is 2018 RG Ultra, had dealer add Stage 2 Cam kit before I drove it home. Had 1000 mile service done. Then multiple day trips and at 1850 miles I checked and fluids were perfect level. Just returned from a 3535 mile trip over 13 days, and consumed 2+ qt. oil & 3.5 oz. trany fluid!!! Rode thru Idaho, Yellowstone then to Deadwood for rally. I never rode it in hot part of day, 55F to 90F riding temps the whole trip. Yea I read all the transfer fluid issues that's why I have been checking trany too.

I "check" oil as per manual, run for 2+ minutes then turn off and check on jiffy stand. Sometimes run bike for 10-15 minute ride before checking.

I checked oil after 1650 mi. (3500 mi. odometer) and was 1 qt. low and added the qt. Added and re-checked next morning and all good. Trany looked just below mid range so left as-is.

Checked oil after ~900 mi. more and was ~1/2 qt. low so added and rechecked cold next morning, all good. Trany looked OK still.

Go home yesterday, checked and clearly 1/2 Qt. low so added it, then checked trany and was way low... added 8 oz. I rechecked both cold just now and ok, but still little low on oil, trany back to good level. .

I am so very happy with this bike, best ever in so many ways, but extremely concerned if and what may be wrong here. :frown::(
 
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#2 ·
Please only M8 experience replies - other threads on internet forums I saw on this issue deviate quickly from the question. I am very curious to hear facts from you other M8 owners as to are YOU having any Oil consumption issues --- OR --- are you Not seeing this with your M8?
I am so very happy with this bike, best ever in so many ways, but extremely concerned if and what may be wrong here. :frown::(
sorry for your troubles, man.

i have an '18 FLTRX with 4800 miles and no issues so far. i'm loving this engine.

mfg. date 04/18

definitely take it in for dealer info.

more people will chime in i'm sure.
 
#66 ·
i have an '18 FLTRX with 4800 miles and no issues so far. i'm loving this engine.
mfg. date 04/18
FOLLOW UP
after using about a half quart every thousand miles, at 18K valve train started making noise at cold startup
dealer said bring it in and they will do a 1 hour diagnosis.
they replaced entire top end under warranty.
no more oil usage...

have 33K on it now, still love the M8, running great!
 
#3 ·
Had some initial oil leakage before the 1k service. Replaced an o ring. Had some more leakage that my new dealer finally diagnosed as the fact the old dealer overfilled the bike. Started running it mid range and it has been solid since.
 
#5 ·
Sorry to hear. Hopefully they can get it figured out and fixed under warranty.

I have had no issues with my '17 M8 Road King, and no issues with my '18 Road Glide Special.

I don't know about the Harleys, but many of the metric bikes I have owned stated in the owner's manual that it was normal to consume oil with sustained high speed riding.
 
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#7 ·
I have a 17 RGS that burned a quart and a half on a 3300 mile ride this summer. We were running through the Nevada desert at 75-80 with ambient temperatures at 95-105. Never really noticed any consumption with all the local day rides. I did just switch to synthetic before the trip. 9700 on the odometer.
 
#9 ·
Your 8 ounces of tranny fluid might be the transfer issue. You didn't mention if you checked the primary to see if it migrated. (Check it)

I did have to add about a ½ quart of oil after about 3k. I also have stage 2 (torque cam). I occasionally get blow by (screamin' eagle ventilator air filter) if I ride hard so I could have lost oil that way.
 
#12 ·
I had to add about 1/3 of a quart at 4200 miles, so 3000 since the 1000 mile service of my 2018 RG. I check the oil frequently as it's one of the thermometer/electronic dip sticks and there was no oil use in the first 3000 miles. Asked the service guy at my dealer and he said that amount is no issue, will see how it does after the 5K service.
 
#13 ·
I think your Usage is very high, my engine was replaced, I never showed a loss in the engine - it did have and showed loss in the tranny (transfer)- they found an issue with the casting of the engine, they found a leak at an internal seat - they seemed to think that was contributing to the transfer as well as the oil sumpping - get it to service with your records of loss / transfer. They are becoming better versed at what to look for and hopefully they will find what the problem is for you......
 
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#14 · (Edited)
Thanks - left at dealer today, they wrote down my notes and said will take photos on everything to document to factory. Will notify factory and of course said factory rules are typically to document their fills, for me to no longer refill but bring back for them to document any future issues. At least no B.S. from my dealer here. I’ll report back as I know more. Great forum!


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Added note - drove it home today - service ticket copy attached. Sad factory b.s. line bout oil consumption as others reported & need to dealer to recheck fluids after milesage .
 

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#18 ·
Oil consumption has improved[emoji41][emoji965]. Only 6oz. In past 2800 miles, switched to Syn, doubt that why but who knows. I’m quite happy the consumption has improved. And thus far no more tranny drop.


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#21 ·
25k on my M8, looks like I may have used almost 1/2 qt since last oil change. Not bad IMHO since the last oil change was almost 7k miles ago and I rode from Florida to Colorado and back.
 
#22 ·
Just shy of 13K on my '17 M8........no issues but to be honest......I don't check it all that much and typically get my 5K service done before the the full 5K is reached - The times that I have checked.......spot on

If it blows it blows and thats why I have a warranty and all work documented by HD in their system - I know I can go elsewhere and get the work done for cheaper but I want the MoCo to have all the info just in case
 
#23 ·
1/2 quart on my 2018 RGS at 3800 miles to get her to the 1/2 fill mark, checking per the detailed instructions.

In fairness we did do a hot and hard ride to Denver back in July and rode hundreds of miles at 80-85MPH. And did I say it was hot....................
 
#24 ·
My '17 RGS used 1/2 quart during break in, between 0 and 1,000 miles.
Very minimal since at 9k miles, I have never needed to add oil between 5k changes.

I am of the opinion that proper break in has a lot to do with future oil consumption, and always use the MotoMan method of break in on new bikes, engines, or rebuilds.
 
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#25 ·
I'm at about 8k on my 17. Pathetic, I know. But no oil issues. And I've checked this bike more than others just because of all the internet nonsense I've seen.
 
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#26 ·
2017 Road glide 25,000 miles motor ran fine until around 23,000 miles started feeling vibration in handlebars which dealership thought was compensator by trying to feel what I was feeling. Long story short vibration turned into rod knock, after motor tear down pistons,lifters, and cam were damaged, flywheel damage also. Only part salvageable was the head. Same story oil migrated in crankcase. They're replacing motor and replacing old oil pump with 4th generation oil pump, like I said in other thread I used to be that guy chiming in 10,000 miles no issues 18,000 miles no issues, not anymore. Got lucky 6 months left on factory warranty.
 
#27 ·
I have '18 RGS with 6,770 miles. I happened to check oil and it was low and had to add 1 quart. Haven't had time to ride since I have added the quart. I took a picture of my dipstick showing the "add" oil and showed the local harley dealer here. Dealer said add oil and watch it to bring it in if it keeps doing it. I haven't had any problems with oil level until just now.
 
#28 ·
I am watching this. I added 6 oz to mine today at 4300 miles. Dealer did the 1000 mile oil change and I took it back at 3000 miles to be sure I did not have any transfer issues. The service manager said I did not and "You just cost me over a hundred dollars for this." I will be looking for a new HD dealer if I go looking for another one. Lots of horror stories on the net but I just expect to have a problem free HD after spending what I did. I have an 82 Goldwing that I have never had to add oil in between changes as well as a couple of Yamahas. If I wanted an oil burner, I would have bought another diesel engine.
 
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