Checking oil on Suzuki C800 .......... HELP

I know this may sound silly but how do you know if your oil level is actually OK or not as the case may be?
I feel that the C800 design for checking oil is stupid, I have to sit on my bike and hope I have it upright and then ask the Mrs or one of the kids if it is between the full and empty.
Just wondered if anyone has a more reliable way of doing it, I would like to randomly check my oil but there isn't always someone handy to help me. I have tried to kneel down next to the bike and pull it towards me off of the side stand but that is not very easy or safe to do! Surely I can't be the only one having this problem

Any tips would be greatfully recieved

I level mine up on blocks of wood.

Oh man I was hoping it was just that I was having trouble & there was a simple solution

I check mine when I wash her and she's up on the bike jack. I used to do the one-hand one-knee method too, but gave it up as a bad habit.

If you have a small mirror you can stick it to either a wall, post or any other flat surface.
All you need to do is put it at the right height and you will be able to glance at it as you ride by. I did that almost as soon as I bought the bike as it was a problem that I felt I could not ignore.
Hope this helps

Now thats flippin clever, I will do mine tomorrow
You ain't just a pretty face are you Mr Intruder Sir
Thanks for that, the best solutions are nearly always the most simple ones

No worries mate, the reason we are all part of suzuki800 is so that we can share our knowledge & experiences

Nuff said

I get someone else to sit on it and I check it.

Sounds like a money maker idea Mr Intruder. Give it a motorcycle specific name and application (Mr Cranky / Window Pain / Floor Show etc....) and you could possibly own your own country from the profits in a very short time! Good idea!

KerChing

That is a good idea.
I use the block of wood / flat surface method.
Making sure bike is in gear.
I used to do the one hand, one knee thing......
.............but decided that I was living on borrowed time.

I use an old snapped-off wing mirror which I hold next to the inspection window whilst sitting on the bike. Having 2 Suzukis means I can check them both this way. As for upright - try a spirit level if you want an exact reading. After I got the Intruder run-in I was revving a bit too hard; because the exhaust is so damn quiet I couldn't hear properly. Consequently I used a bit of oil up - using this method was a good way to check regularly. Since I 'sexed-up' the exhaust note I rev a lot less and have used hardly any oil - perhaps another reason in favour of loud pipes! Incidentally, Yamaha use the traditional dipstick method - much easier but then of course you are saddled with a Yam!! Actually they make nice cruisers, to be fair.

I know a few people with XVS1100's. Very nice bikes.

I just get the wife to check it, which reminds me...it needs checking.

I love the XVS1100, was going to get one before I seen the M800, would still love one but no one is taking my M from me. MINE!!!