Where did the oil go?

[duqette]

Yes, yes, I am a bad baaaaaad mommy, and I didn't take my baby in for her 6K until 8K. And, I got a little lax about checking the oil level, although I did keep the chain nice n clean and the tire pressure good. I am bad, and I don't deserve my wonderful ducati red 01 750 Monster. 

That said, when I did finally manage to get her down to Nichol's for her service, they told me that the oil was nearly dry  !! and that I need to keep an eye on it.

While I'm thanking my lucky stars (and the sun and the moon, while I'm at it) that the engine didn't seize, I can't help but wonder, where does the oil go? It's not leaking out anywhere obvious; I think I'd notice that. Is it really possible it's burning up in the motor? Wouldn't I have awful blue smoke if it was? The fine mechanic didn't seem surprised by it, just told me to check the level every 500 mi or so.

Is there anything else that might be causing the oil to disappear that I need to be looking out for?

[ducpainter]

Most engines use a little...

My 900 will pump a fair amount into the airbox if I run it hard.

Everyone has different criteria, but under a quart/thousand miles isn't much to worry about IMO.

[He Man]

Ideally you want to have zero consumption. if its spitting up your airbox, its better than it being burned of.
On an older bike though, i wouldnt be suspicious if its wat Ducpainter said. When you go on road trips always carry a bottle of oil to top of. Doesnt matter if its dino oil, fully synthetic, half synthic or whatever, for wet clutch, go for a motospecific, for dry clutch, you could get away with anything. In those type of situations, its better to have and not need, then need and not got.

FYI, my 944 was burning about 3/4qt per 1200 miles.