Going on a European tour for the first time ever and was looking for some advice. I have an 08 Blade and it uses a little oil so wanted to take 500ml of oil with me. Question is has anyone else encountered and over come the same issue ? I was thinking of a top up bottle that has a tube so don't need to carry a funnel. All useful suggestions most welcome, thanks.
It depends on how many miles you intend to do, and how much oil you are likely to use, but Scottoiler bottles come in handy sizes and a screw on tube to make things easier. Of course it helps if you have a scottoiler, but your local shop may have a spare one in the bin you could get.
In pretty sure it's the Castrol 1L bottles that have a thin pouring neck on them that you can top up with no problems mate. It's what we used on tour.
Never needed any for mine, even after 3k miles away...but why not buy some when you need some at a filling station?
Mine had never used a drop either until the tour mate. Think a combination of the heat and the fact my bike had never been ragged like that before soon put and end to its tea total days
Yep that's right Colin, I actually keep an empty 1lt one and fill that from my 5lt too make it easier to put in the bike
Cheers guys some useful info. Ideally I will see if I can get a scottoiler bottle from some where. I only have about 50 litres of luggage space Colin so was wanting to take something a little smaller more like 500ml if possible. Si I thought about buying when needed but most filling stations only sell car top up oil I can't think I have ever seen motorcycle top up oil for sale at one.
50ltrs! What are you taking? You should be able to squeeze a litre bottle in mate and I'd be suprised if it used more than that anyway if your going for around a week? Where are you going mate? Spain, Germany, France and definitely Andorra all have tonnes of bike shops I'm sure you could get more if you used your 1ltr.... And the services are a little more biker friendly if your stuck for oil big time.... I really wouldn't worry too much mate. Long as you keep an eye on it and don't let it run dry, you can keep your eyes peeled for a decent bike shop if you need more than a ltr
Like Col says, Castrol bottle does the trick mate. Once opened I always gaffer tape it to reduce the risk of it leaking- always worked fine. 50 litres is what I had, managed to find room for the oil without any hassle.
OK cheers guys advice taken. I have an older Ventura spada bag that I got of a mate which I believe is circa 50 litres. Not sure what I need tbh as going for 10 days so at least 10 days socks and nicks with a load of t-shirts, shorts, pair of jeans, jacket, waterproofs, wash bag, tool kit, puncture repair kit, camera and chargers etc.. Possibly the kitchen sink, haha lol.
I'd take half the t shirts and pants and socks and wash half way and as you go? Saves a little room. Never taken jeans but most the lads do tbh.... If you have a Ventura rack you can out the oil and waterproofs in a plastic bag or something and bungee those to the little shelf on the rack.... Will give you a little more space in your bag.
Don't bother taking oil, just pick up a 1l bottle if/when you need it. It's not the 1970's where you have to take your own ketchup and teabags abroad!
Although, like here there's plenty of oil bottles that don't have the handy filler spout in the top so I bought a pack of these disposable cardboard funnels that collapse flat and don't take up any room as you only need 1 or 2: Transair - Funnels
Prob is mate I've seen blades go off the dip stick in a day on tour! So worth having some IMO. I'm ok as last 5 tours have been on a Yamaha which is good for the environment
Really!?! Must be ragging the bejeezus out of it!! I've only had to top up once on half a dozen 2-2500 mile trips, and that's on a supposed "oil burner" of an '08. But most petrol stations have oil and with luggage space at a premium I really wouldn't bother carrying a bottle, myself. Mind you, I'm usually 2-up and not exceeding 90mph too often.
I always take a litre of oil on tours with me. It really pisses me off that I have to do this. Space is a valuable commodity when you're camping. The power 1 racing bottles have their own built in collapsible spout.
Erm.... Course not officer Ill never forget col's face when me and Dave told him to check his oil and he said he didn't need to as it doesn't use a drop and never has.... Yup, was pretty low! He was truly shocked..... 10 hours ragging it in 36 degrees heat uses oil on blades. Even the new ones
Going to look at taking litre of oil thanks for the heads up. As said ragging it in high temps its going to use oil.
Same as yourself Jimbo. We bought a litre between us, what we didn't use I tie wrapped to the rear grab rail. I was surprised my bike used oil too
I just did 1600 miles in 4 days round Europe on the 08 blade. Didn't take any oil and when i checked when I got back it hadn't used any noticeable amount. I'd check on route and buy at a garage if needed; unless of course you know your bike will use or need oil...
