I am sure that one of the 87 comment has already provided this information, but I am going to say it anyway. I have the 2018-2019 Honda Service Manual for the Gold Wing. Page 3-11, under the MAINTENANCE Chapter, tells the service technicians how to check the oil level. It states as follows: "ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK - Centerstand model (apparently not all models of the Gold Wing come with a factory installed centerstand, but all of the Gold Wing Tour models come with the centerstand) "Place the motorcycle on its centerstand on a level surface." Start the engine and let it idle for 3 - 5 minutes. Stop the engine and wait for 2 - 3 minutes. Remove the dipstick and wipe the oil from the dipstick with a clean cloth. Insert the dipstick without screwing it in, remove it and check the oil level. If the oil level is below or near the lower level mark on the dipstick, remove the oil filler cap and add the recommended oil up to the upper level mark. I happen to have a 2020 Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag model, and Honda assures me that the 2018-2019 manual will remain unchanged for the 2020 models. So, if you have a 2018-2020 Honda Gold Wing with a factory centerstand, just follow the simple instructions. No need to find a second person to hold the bike upright, or perform some sort of trapeze act to check the oil level on a model that comes with a centerstand.

My bike was over-filled from the dealer...by a good amount. I'm still not comfortable with the level. I too ran into the "no oil while cold" problem. I just couldn't wrap my head around it. The bike must be warm to check it. I guess it really isn't horrible, we just all have to be aware of this issue, but that should be told to us the day we pick our bikes up. Yes, I should read the manual, but most of us are enthusiasts and wouldn't necessarily revert to RTFM to check the oil level. Thanks again Max for bringing this information to us.

I sit on the bike when I check it. Just stand it up strait, reach down and check it. I see your point though. It should be designed to be checked on the side stand like most bikes or have a sight glass.

After I added your dipstick extension Max, I now keep a Kleenex/towel in the cubby. When I ride into the garage(level surface) I turn off he bike, and using my legs to balance, I reach down and easily unscrew the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert and pull it our with the proper, vertical, centered and balanced and look at the reading. I then screw in the dipstick, put the kickstand down, un-ass the bike, grab a cold beer, sit-down, and admire the completion of my latest maintenance task, damn Isweating. LOL.

Here's the solution. Have someone hold the bike up and check the oil. Insure that it is properly filled. Then put the bike on the centerstand. Note the difference between both measurements. Now you know what constitutes full when on the centerstand.

As a new owner of a 2021 GW DCT Tour, this video both intrigued me and somewhat unnerved me. So I went and did my own experiment. I put the bike on its centerstand on my level and smooth concrete shop floor. I took an 8” torpedo level and ran it from front to back on the top of the engine cover. It was perfectly level from front to back. This area tapers off at a slight angle if you look at it from directly in front of or behind the engine. So it is not a proper place to check side to side level in my opinion. For the side to side movement, the area where the bottom of the instrument panel glass touches the silver moulding appears to be perfectly horizontal with the side to side axis of the bike. It was perfectly level. I did NOT chock the front wheel. I’m not making this comment to dispute any other viewpoint on this. But I do not feel that I could hold the bike any more level with it off of the stand, even if I had another person help me hold it up. The bubble doesn’t lie. I do understand the dilemma this poses for owners without a centerstand. I mostly wanted to see if I needed to chock/shim the front wheel as I have seen other vloggers suggest.

Just check it while sitting on motorcycle on level surface. Once its warm, sits for required minutes, loosen dipstick so you can sit and check while level.

Thanks, AS ALWAYS....Max! Great job

Some really good points. I have always wondered about the "level" bike when wheel is in the air.

My 21 GW has a "ride off" center stand, with this stand the bike is level Lt to Rt & Ft to Bk when parked on a level surface - to the extent that I am comfortable with the oil level readings I am getting. Note, I completely agree, this process is, unto itself, very ridiculous. ...If anyone was curious about how I like/dislike the Ride Off center stand, I love it and use it ~95% of the time. While sitting on the bike, I put it in reverse, put my left foot on the center stand lever with a little force, and engage reverse, works great! If there is debris on the ground, it may be necessary to add more weight to the center stand lever. As most will already know, it is very important that the surface is level left to right, and never use this method with the front of the bike on the downhill side of a slope; small slopes are ok so long as the front of the bike is on the uphill side.

I Just Sit On The Bike, Both Feet Planted Firmly On The Ground, Reach Down Unscrew And Check, Works And Feels Safe👍 Also Thank You For All Your Videos, I Like How You Speak "Down To Earth"👍

Geez! This makes checking the oil on 4 valve Guzzi's seem like a walk in the park. I picked up my DCT 4 days ago. Are glad iz didn't "check" the oil before watching this.

Grandstanding in it’s finest form. “Complex”, “Complicated”, ??? In your 9:22 of rambling I sat on my bike, leaned over and unscrewed the oil stick, it took all of 10 seconds. Doing this while sitting on the bike actually afforded and perfect fit for my thumb as I made about 18 half turns. Believe it or not I already had a paper towel in the other hand, complex stuff!

Just put a 2x4 under the front wheel after putting bike on center stand

I performed the comparison between sitting on the bike and holding it upright to check the oil and checking the oil on the center stand. On the center stand my oil level read exactly between the upper and lower marks. Upright and off the stand it read 1/4 inch lower. So the punchline is that when checking the oil on the center stand it reads slightly higher than the actual Honda designated level. This was done on my new 2018 Gold Wing DCT.

Good To Know! Thank You!

All I can say is after I drain my oil with the bike on the center stand, refill the bike with 3.9 qts of oil, take it out and ride it, bring it back into the garage and check the next morning on the center stand it shows right on the mark. Good enough for me and after riding my bike for 5000 miles on this oil change I can check it on the center stand and it still shows right on the mark. My bike when new was one of the bikes that no matter how you checked it was 1 1/2 qts low. With 453 miles on my new bike after finding it showed 1 1/2 qts low on the dip stick and draining and measuring the amount was about 2.75 qts in the pan. Some of the first shipped bikes came improper filled and the tech doing the assembly didn't check them and they got out of the dealership low. My bike with over 10K on it has never used any amount I could measure if I use the method I mentioned above. I have never had a GoldWing use oil since 1978 when I bought my 1st Wing. Personally I am going to continue to check my oil after it sits over night on the center stand. Right or wrong it works for Doug. Sorry Max not trying to be counter productive to your video but I think this whole oil thing is nuts. People on the forums go on and on with oil threads. These same people that do this will buy a new $60,000 dollar car or truck and never check their oil, don't know or care what the dealer or quick lube puts in their $60,000 vehicle but will go on a motorcycle forum and post and post out oil in their bikes. It use to be funny and entertaining but not anymore.

My 2015 F-150 with the 2.7 Ecoboost required a full 15 minutes to drain down for an accurate dipstick reading. Otherwise you'd think it's a GALLON low. Early on, dealers were wrecking engines by overfilling them after an oil change. You're supposed to put EXACTLY the correct amount into the engine and you're done. Don't even think about checking it for at least 15 minutes. Guys were putting in the new oil, then pouring in MORE until it was at the "full" mark, at which point they'd added nearly a gallon too much.

Can I put it on center stand and lift front wheel till level? I would think that'd be a good option.

A front wheel chock would hold the bike vertical, and raise the front end slightly to make the bike parallel with the ground. This is how I do the oil change on my bike that has no centrestand.

I love sight glasses for oil.

I have a Kawasaki Z1000 with a sight glass that is below the clutch cover. I can't see it while holding the bike upright. I hope that it doesn't use oil.

You could use a front wheel chock, it's close to being level.

Thanks Max, the book doesn't say much. I watched your video just to find the dipstick lol . Would it help to put a shim under the front wheel to level it more. I'm 73 and can't hold it vertical. Yes, I purchased a center stand. $500 installed.

I agree that it would be great if all 2018+ Gold Wings came with a center stand. Page 154 of the GW User Manual explains the procedure that Honda wants you to use to check the oil. If you have a center stand, it is not difficult, and I doubt that the amount of fore/aft play while the bike is on the center stand is going to make a significant difference in the "true" oil level, to the extent that the engine could be damaged by under/over filling. I did find it curious that you measure the oil by inserting the dip stick and not screwing it in. Regardless of how other bikes are to have their oil checked...follow the manufacturer's instructions in this case, and you will be fine. Regarding the design of the dip stick "handle"...I don't find it difficult to remove or replace the dipstick. It only needs to be hand tight...there is no need to torque it down to the extent that you need pliers or anything else other than fingertips to remove it.

what I have done on some of my bikes is ,when you are 100% sure that the oil level is correct, put the bike on it`s side stand, pull out dipstick and put a mark on the stick (@ oil level) so that it can always be checked on side stand

Well that's just weird! And you are supposed to screw the dipstick completely back in and out to check the oil? Does this bike have a dry sump?

Do it while sitting on the bike. Not possible with a sight glass, but easy with that dipstick location.

I am not sure if you are reading from the Goldwing owner's manual!!! I have exactly the same bike and I am pretty sure all Goldwings have center stands. All you need to do to read the oil level is to 1. put the bike in the center stand, 2. start the engine, 3. let it run for 3-5 minutes, 4. stop the engine and let the bike sit for 3-5 minutes 5. read the dipstick, that's all. This is all in the manual.

My Honda dearer said to level the bike with the stand that makes it level let it warm up a little bit check it and it will show the right amount of oil.

Put you a board under the front wheel when on the center stand and it will be level. Been doing it for years.

Would it be possible to do the whole run up/3 minutes drain, have the bike on the side stand, clean/replace the stick, the slowly rock the bike up to center then back down on the stand to then check the oil level? Not to say this is practical for how expensive this bike is but maybe an idea for a future video to try and save someone from having a 900lbs bike falling on them in the garage while trying to balance the bike by themselves...

How about putting the bike on the center stand then put a torpedo level on the valve cover to check the level of the engine

Always loved Honda products but the engineers f**ked that one up.

Is there a reason there are no videos on changing oil in the 2018 Goldwing? I appreciate your tips and videos.

Yes oil and transmission

Question 2018 DCT model. In hot stop and go traffic has anybody experience a clutch burning smell coming from the bike? I just hit 4200 miles

I have the standard one and it didn't come with a center stand. What is best way to check oil in mine? Still shocked it didn't come with a center stand once it was delivered.

Honda is going to send one of their hit men over here to get you for exposing all their screwups.

I got a Honda mower with no drain plug. You have to turn it upside down to change oil. Try doing that without making a mess. Hope you guys don’t have to do that with your new wings.

1. I can’t believe GW doesn’t have a center stand. 2. On a HD they made the dip stick so you can check it on the side (jiffy) stand. I had a Yamaha Venture no center stand, i had a piece of wood I put under the kickstand. I use to work on fighter jets, we would ask ourselves why did the engineer do that.

Hi Max, why do the guys make such a great issue in having the bike 100% level. Why not have it on the main stand, it really does not even show on the dipstick if the back end is slightly higher than the front end

Couldn't find another way to contact you. I wondered if you plan on pursuing a way to apply a locking mechanism for the phone compartment. I can't believe they didn't include one

So I wonder just how much damage overfilling the oil will do to this engine? (And how badly it has to be overfilled?) I have to imagine the percentage of owners who'll read the manual is fairly small, tho maybe that's not true of Goldwing people. Could see a lot of overfilled bikes running around in any case, given the "dry dipstick" issue.

I use some needle nose pliers to remove the dipstick.

My 2015 Valkyrie has the same procedure. The dipstick is easier to get to, and I made a block to go under the kickstand to get the bike level. What a pain in the ass their procedure is.

My 2018 GoldWing oil dipstick reads half full after sitting on the mainstand for 24 hours. Wondering if your sample bike is different in some way. I would attach a photo but it seems I cannot. :(

Better still, out it in a Condor Pit Stop and it stands up straight.

With the bike on the center stand, I have never found the dip stick with no oil, after sitting over night or otherwise.

It's easy to straddle bike, hold it level with both feet and reach down to the dip stick. I'm not the first to figure this out am i?

Umm. Your low on oil. Just checked mine after sitting 20 hours. 1/4 between the min, and max mark. Warmed up it’s halfway

Doesn’t sound like an issue to me just sounds like good old common sense… follow directions

Don’t forget 3 drain plugs too

That was as clear as mud.

Check the service manual page 3-11. Just use the centerstand, and you don't screw the dipstick in- all my Goldwings have been this way. Yes, number 3. in the Owner's Manual says :level surface" and should say "center stand", but number 5. says "Do not screw the dipsitck in. A lot of "to do" para nada.

I'll stick with my 2012 goldwing I'm never going to get a new model I think honda has gone mad

Put the bike on it's center stand and slip a board that's have the thickness of the distanced between the back tire and the ground under the front tire and problem solved.

You would think 1800cc engine would hold more than 3.9 qt's oil. I wish it was at least 5 qt's.

I already wrote this inside a thread, but it bears repeating in its own thread... If it isn't tipping over, it's pretty level. Also, this false notion that if it's a millimeter out of level, the oil reading will be so far off as to damage the engine is a little silly/neurotic. Breathe everybody.... breathe...

I owned an XR400 for many years, ever check the oil on one of those? It's in Honda's DNA to do these weird things.

My 2018 came with a center stand so I’m confused that some seem not to. That said, this is way over thought. When you change the oil and filter, add 4.9 quarts per the manual. You don’t need a laser level the be close enough. Second, once full, a Goldwing doesn’t use or lose oil..

People that don’t know there’s are two kick stands on the bike probably doesn’t need to be riding that bike or any other bike for that matter just saying.

Heck! Honda knows that every Gold Wing owner has a bike lift, front wheel vise, or J&S Jack to keep the bike upright and level! NOT! Appears that checking the oil was a afterthought for the design engineers. A shame that Honda released this bike with these types of short comings.

I think the Honda instruction is sufficiently written and clear for most experienced bikers to follow, admittedly if it was a first bike for a first time owner, which is highly unlikely, then it’s not written for that person but then they’d best be advised by the nearest service center

Stupid design but with the bike on the centre stand simply drive a wedge underneath the front wheel to lift the front until level. Can't believe what Honda have done with the 2018. I'll take the engine and dct but the other than that I wouldn't swap my 2004 for one.

Why can't you just put the bike on the centre stand if it has one and put a piece of wood under the front wheel to level the engine. I built a roll on Garage Dolly for my Kawasaki Z1300 for the same reason. A front wheel chock can be purchased on Alibaba separately and bolted to your garage floor if you can't be bothered making one.

Whaaaaaaaaaaa.

Very poorly thought out. A simple solution would be a sight glass on the left side of the crankcase with a level line for sidestand and centerstand levels when cold. Or with all tech doo-dads, why not an electronic dipstick?

99.9% of the time you DO NOT screw in the dip stick while checking FYI yall

I don’t think the bike has to be perfectly level. Center stand close enough. Blows me away they all don’t have them...

You must love to hear yourself Talk. Show us already

Why don't you just sit on the bike and check the oil?

Thanks for this. I've been wondering. Indeed, mine has no center stand. And if I had a second person to help I would have bout the Tour model. My wife has zero interest in motorcycles. I love the bike for the most part, but this situation is bizarre and idiotic. PUT THE DIPSTICK IN THE SUMP, YOU MORONS! That's where the oil is!

Well that was interesting, pretty stupid thinking from Honda.

I know what you mean. Honda build a brilliant piece of engeneering only to let the the village idiot design the oil reading postions. However it's very easy to run the bike then remain on the bike after you shut it off. this keeps the bike level. While you are waiting those two to three minutes to allow the engine oil to settle simply reach down and unscrew the dipstick and pull it out and wipe it clean. then drop it back in and pull it out and read the measurment. Pain in the butt but its very easy to measure and I have the worse back yet it's still easy for me. Incidently if you do my method and once you are happy with the reading do the same thing again with the bike on the centerstand you get the same reading so having it on the centerstand (if you have one) doesn't make any noticable difference.

just put the bike on a bike stand and check it

Poorly designed . Since the Bike is already BRISTLING with electronics , why not an Oil Level Sensor that talks during Start-up Cycle ? Heavy Truck Diesels can tell Oil level while Running or Off these days . Not rocket science .

I understand the problem and the frustration. However It's so painful to listen to this demonstration.

Wow, if you follow the Honda Goldwing instructions then there is no problem checking the oil level. Any other way is the wrong way. Do you know what a dry sump motor is? You know the oil is in the motor so learn where the oil is stored in the cold motor condition. Owners need to read and learn about the bike. Follow the Honda instruction. Max your right checking oil level is not your thing.

This video is just a complaint about Honda's procedure. The procedure works but Max didn't bother showing that. I would like to point out that a cold liquid occupies less space that a hot liquid. Therefore cold oil will show less volume than hot oil. Since cold oil doesn't show on the dipstick there is something else going on here that hasn't been identified or explained. My thoughts are: It is our responsibility as an owner to read the manual. Before we call something stupid we should have all of the facts. Anybody who complains without a thorough understanding of the problem and offering a solution may very well be the stupid one.

I'm pretty sure this guy doesn't like his Goldwing.. and for what I've been seeing he has a business related to Goldwings 😅 what a joke! 🤨 Here's how I check the level on mine (2023 Bagger model). Bla bla bla.. engine at running temperature, I sit on the bike (no kick stand.. with both feet on the ground), I lean my body a little to the right side and with my arm and my right hand and my fingers, I unscrew the dip stick, bring it to my left hand (which I have a paper towel), and clean it. 😮 Shocking isn't it?? Repeat the process with a clean dip stick for better results. Warning! This procedure is extremely dangerous to do, because when in balance (just like in a spot sign) this motorcycle (as well as all the others) weights 0 kgs! I think this guy should write to Honda, and criticize the fact that is Goldwing doesn't came with a Honda technician at his service 24/7. 🤯

I feel like this dude nit picks things about the gold wing and then comes up with something to sell to rich guys.

you spend $30K+ on a new goldwing, spend the $200 on a Honda service manual.