I don't have an owners manual for my F2 and i've heard different stories on how to check the oil level. Ironically, I can't find anything that is very, very specific to the F2 (93) online. What I did today was start the engine and let run for about 5 minutes, turned off, let sit for 3-5 minutes, stuck dip stick in so rested on flange, but not screwed in. Got reading AT the very end of the stick. Am I doing something wrong? The key thing is how long to wait after turning the engine off. Check too soon and the level will be much higher than If you wait. I'm kinda lost. Oh and I heard someone say that you check the F2's oil while running. Tried that once, told a friend, he laughed at me. I need someone to set me straight. Really tired of worrying about screwing my engine up.

 

The bike needs to be level to get an accurate reading.

 

The bike was level. That was the first and easiest concept I understood when I learned. If you could be more specific, here is exactly what I need to know:
1. Do you check the F2's oil while engine is running or off?
2. If off, how long do I wait after the engine is off to be sure to get an accurate rating?

 

It's no different than checking it on a car, with the exception that you don't have to get the car "level", that is - just run the motor for a while, so that it is up to full operating temperature, 10 minutes or thereabouts would be fine, then, wait long enough for the oil, now thinner from the heat, to seep back down through the passages to the oil pan, once again, 10 minutes or so should be fine.

 

Got it! Thanks JNS!!!

 

When you catch the oil level at just the base of the stick, does that mean you have enough in the case that the engine can run without comprimise and you need to add soon, or does it mean you've ran an engine that had been running with insufficient oil to lube normally?

 

These bikes take 4 quarts of oil. If your right at the tip of the stick your not in any danger of ruining anything. Running low on oil only create issues for oil over heating and degradation and possibly wear on the wet clutch. You'll know if you ever suck air as the oil light will illuminate on the instrument cluster. If that happens do not run until you have the correct level. Really though just keep checking like you are and keep it around the safe level. A little more or less wont hurt much. A lot more or very low oil will.
Honestly I'd be more concerned with what kind of oil I use and how often I change it and what filter I'm using than getting the level exactly on the full mark.

 

Also - on our bikes, you don't screw the dipstick back in to check the level - it is intended to be unscrewed. wiped off, stuck in the hole, then removed and take the reading.

 

Make sure it's at least on the stick before starting if it's been parked for awhile

 

I've always wondered, Am I the only one that likes to leave the stop/run switch in the stop position on the first startup of the day until the oil light goes out?3-4 seconds of cranking. I figure that way, even if all of the oil has gone bye bye, I'm rotating on residual amounts instead of trying to actually run the engine. If the light never goes out, then you know you've got an oil pressure issue.