All I can say is,I've been in this racket now for the past 65 years of my life and was TAUGHT to ALWAYS check oil "COLD" ,with the vehicle parked as level as possible,and that oil level should be as close to the full mark as possible without over filling it.And now, that's what I've been doing on my Indian too.
So my question is?? Why would ya have an oil dip stick,MARKED with full and low marks stamped right on it,then tell ya not to go by those marks?? Granted,maybe I'm not the brightest light in the sky,but this makes no sense to me!!
Anyways,I've been checking my oil just like I was taught,and monitoring it,listening to the sound of the motor.And so far,so good,not to mention,my motor is now also running quieter with the oil level on the full mark as I described.
Now my dealership tells me that,if I put too much oil in it,in otherwords, not following the factories recommendations,I'll
have oil runnin out of the breather box located in front of the throttle body by the air intake.But I have NOT seen this,and I have been monitoring it closely.
Now,on the other hand,if you drive your bike like ya stole it [and I've seen this all too often no matter what make or model the vehicle/motorcycle was] then all bets are off and we can revert back to that old saying "MAN CREATES HIS OWN PROBLEMS". Dave!!!