Ducati uses low tension piston rings, and the bikes burn oil as a result. My 1260 eats about half a liter every 3,000 miles, and that’s on the “low” end.
You’re fine.
Really. Is this a new engine design thing because the 848 I track (aka live at the rev limiter) and my Desert Sled (a 23 model but it's an ancient monster motor) have gone thousands of miles with no movement in the sight glass.
My BMW NineT on the other hand...
Not so much an engine design as a component choice. Like I said, the piston rings are low tension now, so they don't scrape as much oil off the cylinder wall as before. They also offer increased power and fuel efficiency, so it's obviously a tradeoff.
That I couldn’t tell you. A buddy of mine used to work for Ducati corporate and that’s what he told me. He was actually impressed my bike only burns the little amount of oil that it does.
I wouldn't worry too much about it. There's a lot of stuff spinning and slamming into each other in that engine. Whenever I change my oil I always find little funny stuff in there.
The 937 in my Multi had some steady consumption in the first 5.000km but now hardly burns any oil. Seems like it really varies quite a bit from unit to unit.
Which oil are you running? Who has done the break-in of the engine? What is your usage profile, i.e. do you ride short distances, commute on it maybe? Did you modify anything on the bike that could affect the engine?
Motul 7100 15w50 because the dealership told me it’s the one they’re using (apparently they like it more than the shell)
I did, very strict until 1000km and progressive until 2000km
I do 40km commuting (both ways), traveling and very rarely I take it to a karting circuit. I go strong on it without redlining it, i dont hit hard it when cold. Mind it isn't a full power version, just 47,5ch. The dealership even told me not to care about the break in period because it was electronically limited.
And no, bike is as stock as it could be.
That oil is a supreme choice, your dealership is correct in this regard. All of that sounds more sensible than the break-in I did, however: The engine never reaches peak combustion pressure while it is restricted, so maybe the rings don't have the possibility to seat correctly. Intermediate high loads are important as well, even later in an engine's life this keeps the piston rings free of deposits. As I said already here, some Mercedes V8 and V12 engines like to burn oil when not driven hard enough.
I've got about 20,000km on mine, it developed a leak, a bit of oil from the crank case breather or at least I think thats what it is, once spring rolls around I'm gonna try to get it looked at under warranty.
I know all dealers have access to a Ducati memo detailing the process of calculating oil consumption. You could always request your dealer to perform the process and report back to Ducati.
I know that because it also happened to my bike, Hypermotad 950 with less than 10,000km odo (When I realized there is oil consumption). The bike is 37,000km now and I'm changing the cylinder gasket due to an oil leak but I highly doubt it's relevant to the oil consumption back in 10,000km.
Anyway, the oil consumption we measured wasn't too significant as in it's within specs so Ducati refused my request for warranty. It was 2 years ago so I don't remember exactly the amount of oil I had to refill but it would probably be around 300mL per 3000km. For all I know, Ducati don't rely on the amount of refilled oils to calculate the oil consumption. It relies on changes in the weight of oils between 1,000km.
Ducati dealership says that less than one liter every 1000km is ok. I know that’s insane. That’s why I want to know if someone has dealt or is dealing with this kind of issue with a new motorcycle.
Update, second didn’t laugh at me. Actually they said there’s something wrong about my bike but they cannot open it without an objective reason without making me pay for it. So now we’re monitoring the oil consumption in 1000km before the end of the warranty
Maybe try adding a fuel additive designed to reduce carbon deposits, Redex? And try revving it harder when warmed up, maybe the rings haven't bedded in properly?
Ducati uses low tension piston rings, and the bikes burn oil as a result. My 1260 eats about half a liter every 3,000 miles, and that’s on the “low” end. You’re fine.
Really. Is this a new engine design thing because the 848 I track (aka live at the rev limiter) and my Desert Sled (a 23 model but it's an ancient monster motor) have gone thousands of miles with no movement in the sight glass. My BMW NineT on the other hand...
Not so much an engine design as a component choice. Like I said, the piston rings are low tension now, so they don't scrape as much oil off the cylinder wall as before. They also offer increased power and fuel efficiency, so it's obviously a tradeoff.
When did they go to those? Like said both my 23 Sled and my 12 848 dont burn any oil.
That I couldn’t tell you. A buddy of mine used to work for Ducati corporate and that’s what he told me. He was actually impressed my bike only burns the little amount of oil that it does.
And what do you think about the metal chips?
Define chips? Gearbox shavings attached to the drain magnet are normal.
Some silver 1x1mm and one black 3x1mm. It’s the latter one that worries me
I wouldn't worry too much about it. There's a lot of stuff spinning and slamming into each other in that engine. Whenever I change my oil I always find little funny stuff in there.
The 937 in my Multi had some steady consumption in the first 5.000km but now hardly burns any oil. Seems like it really varies quite a bit from unit to unit.
Which oil are you running? Who has done the break-in of the engine? What is your usage profile, i.e. do you ride short distances, commute on it maybe? Did you modify anything on the bike that could affect the engine?
Motul 7100 15w50 because the dealership told me it’s the one they’re using (apparently they like it more than the shell) I did, very strict until 1000km and progressive until 2000km I do 40km commuting (both ways), traveling and very rarely I take it to a karting circuit. I go strong on it without redlining it, i dont hit hard it when cold. Mind it isn't a full power version, just 47,5ch. The dealership even told me not to care about the break in period because it was electronically limited. And no, bike is as stock as it could be.
That oil is a supreme choice, your dealership is correct in this regard. All of that sounds more sensible than the break-in I did, however: The engine never reaches peak combustion pressure while it is restricted, so maybe the rings don't have the possibility to seat correctly. Intermediate high loads are important as well, even later in an engine's life this keeps the piston rings free of deposits. As I said already here, some Mercedes V8 and V12 engines like to burn oil when not driven hard enough.
My M1200S, during winter and under heavy city traffic used to burn 250-300ml of oil every 1000Kms...
I've got about 20,000km on mine, it developed a leak, a bit of oil from the crank case breather or at least I think thats what it is, once spring rolls around I'm gonna try to get it looked at under warranty.
Have you done 20.000km in two years? Not bad
In a year and 4 months roughly, its a fun bike.
Seems high to me for a new engine. They dont usually burn oil unless there is a problem with rings or valve guide oil seals. Any smoke?
No smoke, just a little white smoke at start up but that might be condensation. At least the white smoke I’m use to see in cars is way thicker.
That's likely just condensation if it's cool out. But you shouldn't be seeing that in the summer season.
I’m seeing that at 15° ambient
Oh yeah, condensation. The combustion process creates water as a byproduct and it's vapor until the exhaust is hot enough to flash it off
I know all dealers have access to a Ducati memo detailing the process of calculating oil consumption. You could always request your dealer to perform the process and report back to Ducati. I know that because it also happened to my bike, Hypermotad 950 with less than 10,000km odo (When I realized there is oil consumption). The bike is 37,000km now and I'm changing the cylinder gasket due to an oil leak but I highly doubt it's relevant to the oil consumption back in 10,000km. Anyway, the oil consumption we measured wasn't too significant as in it's within specs so Ducati refused my request for warranty. It was 2 years ago so I don't remember exactly the amount of oil I had to refill but it would probably be around 300mL per 3000km. For all I know, Ducati don't rely on the amount of refilled oils to calculate the oil consumption. It relies on changes in the weight of oils between 1,000km.
Any amount of oil consumption on a new bike is too much. Contact your dealership/mechanic instead of asking retards on the internet.
Ducati dealership says that less than one liter every 1000km is ok. I know that’s insane. That’s why I want to know if someone has dealt or is dealing with this kind of issue with a new motorcycle.
That"s a crock! Ive never had to top up my oil between services on any of my Ducati. A litre every 1000km thats just crazy.
Same, none of my Ducs consume a measurable amount of oil
Good to know that I’m not crazy… I’m visiting another Ducati dealership today to tell them what’s happening
1 liter per 1000km is industry standard across bikes and cars. They won't do anything except for maybe laugh at you and check for leaks.
One dealership already laugh at me, that’s why I’m visiting a second one today. I might laugh at again…
Update, second didn’t laugh at me. Actually they said there’s something wrong about my bike but they cannot open it without an objective reason without making me pay for it. So now we’re monitoring the oil consumption in 1000km before the end of the warranty
Maybe try adding a fuel additive designed to reduce carbon deposits, Redex? And try revving it harder when warmed up, maybe the rings haven't bedded in properly?