Noob question...what is the proper way to check the oil level in the sight window? While the bike is on the sidestand or balanced upright? The manual says "parallel to the ground" so I interpret that to mean balanced upright. Am I correct?

 

yes you are. off the kickstand no lean. shouldn't it say "perpendicular to the ground"?

 

You're correct...perpendicular to the ground. Thanks for the quick answer.

 

Before I ride I just start to tilt it up off the stand. If I see the oil start to climb the window I already know I have enough oil.