How do you know what type of oil the factory, or anyone else, has put in the motor????

That's why I always do my own oil changes, so I know what's going in.

Castrol Formula SLX is a fully synthetic and as I posted a little while ago, they print a warning in their tech spec "The low friction characteristics of CASTROL FORMULA SLX makes it unsuitable for most motorcycles that incorporate wet clutches in combined engine and transmission systems." Though I've just rung my dealer who confirms that he has been servicing mine with a synthetic for the past four years. So I guess there are synthetics and then there are synthetics? Bears out the old adage RTFM!
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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

IIRC the earlier models (US 2003 for example) are oil LEVEL based and not pressure based. A good hit on the throttle could move the oil level to the back of the pan and cause the light to come on in some cases. I think Mammy Yammy changed that somewhere along the way.

I'd have to agree. Up until recently the owners manual and factory service manual recommended Yamalube 20w40. That's a full dino oil; not a synth or blend.

Back to the original subject. I don't think this is right. The oil light should NOT be coming on. Take the bike back and get it checked out.

Alan

This happened a couple of times to me - BUT - this was like four years ago.

I think the problem was riding the bike before it was fully warmed up.

It has never happened since.

My 1989 FZR 1000 did this constantly when cold, my '98 R1 did it occasionally, my '03 FJR never did it. I was hoping they had this one figured out.

I posted this same 'issue' a couple of years ago, had a great explanation from Torch, who we don't see any more , his explanation related to a mechanical level sensor in the case and hard acceleration or banking the bike significantly when it is cold can cause the light to come on. I can duplicate it when the weather is cold any time on a specific bit of road if I jump on after work and just go. Most times now, I let the old girl ('04) warm up while I put my ear plugs in, helmet and gloves on, and the rpms have settled down to 1,100, then I go with no false alarms.

Just a spin on the whole subject of oil. I don't wish to debate the pro's and con's of synth or mineral, I just want to know who checks their oil in the level window hot and who checks it cold. I have just phoned my service agent to question the overfilling of my '03 ABS, services after great 3600km ride along South Africa's east coast and arid interior. The techie stated that he only checks the level window when it's hot? I am now doubting my own logic. If this has been debated at length before, forgive my ignorance.

I believe the manual says to check it after running it a bit after an oil change so I suppose that means it should be checked hot, or at least pretty warm. I don't think a few extra ounces will hurt anything. An extra quart could be a problem. Not sure how much overfill it will tolerate.