OK I have now done 2 thousand miles on my XT R
it was services (maybe!!) when I bought it at 10,800 miles
I like to do regular oil changes inbetween services so have just drained the oil and refilled it with 2.6 liters as per owners hand book.
thing is I have drained I think about 4 liters out (off to measure it now)
question is, is 2.6l correct ammount in which case *** mechanic has seriously overfilled it at service 2K ago

apparently there is a *** around but its only me!!
just measured drained oil and its actually 2.5 liters (allowing for a bit of spillage when draining the ammount is correct it just looked way too much in my drain pan
so i'm now all OK with fresh oil & filter!!
thanks!

The bike takes 2.9L from dry.

hand book says 2.5 or 2.6 with filter change I have put in 2.6 (done filter) its half way up dip stick
it was just the oil that came out looked a lot more I would have bet on it being 4 liters + but was only 2.5
clearly my judgement has all gone to f.... with age!!!
I am infact an old git!