Are you supposed to check a motorcycle oil level on the stand or straight up?

[SAWYER]

I have been told both, what do you say?

 

[Fenixgoon]

the bike needs to be level, because otherwise that's going to throw off your oil reading. it's the same reason why your car needs to be on a level surface when you check its oil.

if you have a center stand, that works fine, but a sidestand is going to make the bike lean, which will throw off your oil reading.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I think it depends on the bike so do whatever the manual says.

 

[SAWYER]

I have always had it serviced but I want to do it myself this time. I will have to try and find my manual

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

If you really want to service it (and you're obviously a noob when it comes to that) buy yourself a real service
manual. It will give you easy to read directions, pictures, what to torque bolts to, ect.. Hell I wrecked a bike ,damn near totaled it, and with looking at stuff online and having a real service manual I restored the bike and you couldn't even tell it was wrecked and I was a total noob when it came to working on bikes.

 

[JulesMaximus]

the bike needs to be level, because otherwise that's going to throw off your oil reading. it's the same reason why your car needs to be on a level surface when you check its oil.

if you have a center stand, that works fine, but a sidestand is going to make the bike lean, which will throw off your oil reading.

My bike reads differently on the rear swingarm stand vs checking it when someone is holding the bike level. It doesn't even show a reading when it is on the side stand though.

 

[DVad3r]

It needs to be level. Some bikes have a center stand and need to be on that. My bike doesn't and I need someone to sit on it straight while I check the oil lol.

 

[arrfep]

My bike (vintage) needs to have it checked while on the center stand. I learned that lesson the hard way.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Depends on the bike but almost always level when not on centerstand.

 

[rumpleforeskin]

Always check the with bike upright (get a friend to hold the bike while you check the sight glass) or use the centre stand if you have one

Ensure the engine has been off for at least 5 mins to allow the oil to return to the sump.


Edit:
Dont check the level with the bike on a paddock stand, as this raises the rear of the bike by a significant amount and can give a false reading.

 

[dajeepster]

depends on the bike...at least with mine. my oil is in the rear swing arm. Buell Firebolt.

i just have to have mine on the factory kickstand and the engine warm.

 

[Greenman]

I think it depends on the bike so do whatever the manual says.

This.

Some Harley's have to be checked while the bike is on the side stand, some have to be upright.

 

[SAWYER]

03 Harley Fatboy