Weird. My dipstick reads oillevel (middle) when my engine is cold. Filled with the exact amount of oil as supposed to be with filter change (2,6 litres).

It's not unusual, in fact it's a pretty common method with almost all dry sump bikes.

Another thing to watch out for, which nobody has mentioned yet, is that the dipstick should not be screwed home when checking the level. If it is, then false readings are likely (you'll possibly end up over-filling). The cap should just be rested against the first thread.

Also, make sure you do it with the bike upright and level front to rear. Don't try and do it on the side stand. Even on the centre stand the bike is tilted forward and not completely level. Personally, my preference is to check the level whilst sitting on the bike.

+1. I'm with Pleiades here. Sitting on the bike after a ride just after shutdown. Not difficult or time-consuming, nor at all unusual for dry-sumped motorbikes ever since BSA powered Roman chariots. Just a bit weirder than peering at an oil window - and they are another story. Even different diameter tyres or floor slopes upset those readings! Not to mention a few degrees off vertical.

Speaking of which: I noticed my Tenere has to be pretty much vertical or the dipstick reading can be a bit off.