Oil Dipstick Question

[yodaismycopilot]

Does anyone happen to know how much the oil is low if it has nearly disappeared from the dipstick (i.e. that sort of scored-looking portion). In my car it would have been 1 quart. But I have no idea what it means on the Kymco People 150 dipstick.

Also, I bought a People 150 with just 1160 miles on it last month. I changed the oil almost immediately and have put about 250 miles on it. I just checked the oil and it's almost off of the dipstick! How could my scoot with hardly any miles on it be blowing through that much oil in that few miles?   

Thank you!

UPDATE: Looks like most of the apparent oil loss was because I measured the oil while the bike was on the side stand rather than the center stand (Is the center stand the right orientation for accurately measuring the oil?)

[CROSSBOLT]

MUST be on center stand for checking oil! Must be level, for and aft, side to side or at least in the same attitude for each check.

[Iahawk]

centerstand puts my scoot off level...usually tipping forward. I would think the most accurate measurement would be not on centerstand or sidestand, but held level and measured, the way you do on a motorcycle.

[Stig / Major Tom]

centerstand puts my scoot off level...usually tipping forward. I would think the most accurate measurement would be not on centerstand or sidestand, but held level and measured, the way you do on a motorcycle.

No, not on most scooters - which are designed to give an accurate oil dip stick reading when on the center stand.
The Burgman has an oil window....which is a miserable way of checking oil. You kneel in a puddle at the highway rest stop and hold the 489lb scooter level with one hand and try to look in the window. Some riders stay in the saddle and use mirror sticks, some use trained monkeys.
Give me a center stand and a 50 cent dipstick any day.
Walk up to your scoot, remove the stick and look at it. Before or after every ride.
Stig

[Iahawk]

Stig and Crossbolt, thank you for clearing that up....makes sense as checking it on the centerstand is actually the only way I've ever done it, too.

[CROSSBOLT]

Well, I'll tell ya, pilgrim, I would definitely figger out an alternative to the Burg nonsense real fast! I gotta use a mirror on my UXV500i 'cause of that stupid sightglass!

[JJJoseph]

My manual sez to unscrew the dipstick (while on the center-stand), wipe it off, and insert it into the hole gently.  Don't screw it back in.

[Ruffus]

@Stig
....some riders stay in the saddle and use mirror sticks, some use trained monkeys.
  Ha ha, good point.

[lbmcconnell]

I would just like to point out that with and scooter on center stand the rear axle will drop a little due to no pressure from the weight on the rest.  this will then put the motor in the proper alignment with the ground.