Pretty much, buck20. I can do a lot of hard riding in 3,000 miles, put it up on the stands, and the oil level is right where it was when last changed.

Switching to synthetic over the winter, so don't know how that will work until next summer.

When a bike starts using oil I clean it up,trade it in and get another one! Get a green one dude.

No way. I think it was using oil since 6K. 13K now and doesn't seem to be getting worse. I'll bore the cylinders and start over before I buy a new one. heh-heh. ZX-15 turbo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is an 08 on Bikeland just posted with valve cover leak.

^^Someone should tell him to just tighten down the valve cover.

I'm sure peeps are selling bikes for all kinds of reasons now. I would wait until the 010s come out and send all perspective buyers into sticker shock. Yep, next Spring is going to be a veritable feast for used bike sellers. Not that private sellers usually make money selling a used bike.......but with prices as high as they are claiming they will be, you should have very little reason to accept a low offer if your price is reasonable.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/22/2009 @ 4:19 PM *

Now ROOK,that wouldn't be right.Do all that disassembly,then reassemble just to have it STILL LEAK.Can't tighten em down-bolts are too long(just by a smidgen)Gotta use washers.I tried the "just tighten em down deal"-VERY DISAPPOINTING!!!!!

^^Ah yes, washers. Now i remember......but at least it can be done. Haven't had the issue crop up but if i do, i will get me some washers.

Very old thread but a good read. I have a 2008 bought used and it is using oil no doubt. Never had to add oil to a bike before. Had the shop change all fluids as it only had 2,900miles when I bought it. The oil level on their oil change was actually higher that the top line in the sight window. After 1000 or so miles I noticed it was mid window, after several rides. Added 200ml or so to get it up to the top line. Bike does not smoke and runs great. Not going to worry about it too much just will have to keep an eye on the sight glass. Bike has 4,500 miles now.

A lot has happened since I started this thread. after noticing a trail of oil down one of my middle head pipes (bike was stored standing straight up on stands), it seemed a good bet the oil use was due to a head cover leak. I removed the heat insulator blanket and sure enough, oil all down the left side. I found all of the head cover bolts were very loose. I tightened them but the leak persisted. I believe the head cover gasket gets oil between it and the head cover and the engine case. Once there is an oil trail, it is pretty hard to stop it from seeping even if you squeeze the gasket tighter. I did the washer fix and that slowed the leak down. A lot. The oil mess was not bad, just a film along the front of the head cover right above the manifold. The leak seemed to slow down progressively over time.

I just replaced the 2008 gasket and the ringos with the updated parts that Kaw made. I have not run the bike yet. I'm expecting the leak will be all gone and no more adding oil.

After looking at all the parts and the problem, here's what I think: the ringos get squashed and loose there resilience. Thus you have reduced tension against the head cover bolts. They may not have vibrated loose at all but the part under them has shrunk...so in effect, the bolts are now loose. The gasket is not squeezed tightly. Oil seeps under and on top of it. Leak. The solution is to replace the ringos periodically. Replace them before a leak starts. Hopefully, removing the bolts will not allow oil to seep in the process of replacing the ringos. The bolts should be tightened in sequence and that is also how I remove them. Perhaps if they were all loosened a little and then one removed at a time to replace the ringo, that would be best. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

* Last updated by: Rook on 10/30/2014 @ 6:20 PM *

"I just replaced the 2008 gasket and the ringos with the updated parts that Kaw made. I have not run the bike yet. I'm expecting the leak will be all gone and no more adding oil."...I think yer covered.

Lets hope, Grn. I'll have to run the bike for a season or two before I know sure. The 2008 parts lasted at least a year..maybe two. The updates should last at least as long.

An addendum to my above post, I am a dipstick or I need one. My bike is not using oil it just depends which direction you park it in the garage and then put it on the centerstand. Bike looks level but the floor is not. One way oil is mid window another and it is over full. So I tried to drain a little out but ended up changing the oil and filter. Never would have figured the cement floor in the garage was not level but it is an old house. At least I don't have to worry about gaskets or things as posted above.