1997 XTZ660 Tenere
 

On XT's you should drive the bike 15mins or so, then park, turn off the engine, position the bike vertically and make a reading on a dip stick. Tip stick should not be screwed in while measuring oil level.

I have no experience with 660 though, only with 600's.

dip stick
 

is that correct?

It is the correct method for the 600, yes.

Hehe, sbh1953, I've just clocked your username. Do I take it that you were born in a very good year?

Yes BlackDogZulu, 53 was a good year.

Hehe, too fast to live, too young to die, eh?

How does the dry sump system work?
Does the oil go from the crankcase to the sump etc?
How do I check the oil level?

to answer your questions some details need to be clarified the xt is not actually a dry sump its a shallow pan sump system, the oil is picked up the same as a conventional sump through a scavenger pick up. the oil is then sent through the oil ways in the motor and out through the bearings etc as a normal engine the oil that does not get out through the oil ways and bearings is pumped into the oil tank and is then fed to the sump to start the cycle all over again.

run the engine untill the oil reaches about 60c turn off the engine, position the bike vertically and make a reading on a dip stick. dip stick should not be screwed in when measuring the oil level.

Thank You

Can you overfill without damage? say 3-3.5 ltrs.

there is slightly more tolerance with the xt setup as its mainly a gravity fed return to the sump but much more than the upper level on the dip stick should be avoided as the system can pressurize when the filler cap is fitted back in place :thumbdown:

Overfilling will probably mean the excess is blown out and into the airbox, messing up your air filter and giving you something else to worry about. Drain and refill with correct amount, 10 minute job.

Wolfzero is correct on the level check method. I find it's easiest to do when filling with fuel. The bike has had a good run and got up to temp, you fill and pay for the fuel, and then check the oil level. This gives it the few minutes to settle that will give you a consistent reading. It's the only way I ever get a consistent reading on mine - any other method and the levels are all over the place.