Recently my bike was knocked over by an audi backing up into it and then leaving (got that on camera but that's a different story) since then my bike has been leaking oil at a pretty good rate from the stator cover. To avoid the huge mess I just drained all the oil out of the bike (time for an oil change anyway). Anyway I was down cleaning up the spilt oil off the ground and just out of curiosity I wanted to see if the bike would crank w/o oil, it did, so I wanted to see if it would start, it also did. I ran it for less then a second and shut it off, surprised. I know theres still some oil in there but if I've drained out 3 litres or so of oil isn't there a saftey feature that will prevent it from firing up? I thought these had an oil pressure switch or something like that, can someone explain please?

 

I've never heard of a bike not starting because it was low on oil. Oil light? Yes, but no cut-off switch.

 

why would you crank the bike w/o oil!?!? do you know what the purpose of oil is?

 

I see his point of being curious.If it bike would start without oil.shouldnt hurt anything since pistons and everything else are still luburcated.if it was only for a brief second.But i wouldnt keep trying it haha.But no your bike will start without oil.no sensor or anything that controls that.

 

im with X i've never heard of this either. i would recommend that be your only time of being "Curious" and the 929 stator covers crack really easily so you can try and repair it (im not sure how bad yours is) or just find someone that has a used one in good condition, cause paying the prices the dealer wants is crazy. also remember you will need a new gasket, or you can pick up some black rvt (high temp sealant,works around oil)

 

Even most cars will still start without oil, as will bikes. Any lights and gauges are there so you can monitor it and be safe, the rest is up to you.

 

haha yeah I know what the purpose of oil is.... when you drain the oil from the plug there is still a little oil left over so I'm sure its fine to crank for a second or two. If you were to go out and ride like that it would be completly different. anyway I'm done cranking for now at least until I get that stator cover fixed/replaced. Thanks for the imput guys.. I picked up a gasket already from Honda and yeah 13 bucks for a gasket is a little ridiculous... I've been looking on ebay/forums/internet and still can't find one in good condition for under 70 bucks plus shipping.. plus im broke right now.. hopefully I'll get some money outta this guy that knocked my bike over soon.... if anybodys trying to get rid of a stator cover PM me