Nicely stated holligl. ::008:: oil reservoir to pump, thru filter to engine, sump pump back to reservoir.
The engine itself only has about a quart at any given time. The reservoir holds the rest, but because of the dual pump system and dry sump design, the sight glass is only accurate when the oil is correctly warmed to the specified temp, (162F?), thus the procedure outlined in the owner's manual. Cold, the oil sump is not accurate. Hot after a ride, it's not accurate. Sound frustrating? Sure. But remember, the
engine only has a quart or so at any given time. So more or less oil, within reason, really only means you are circulating more or less oil thru the system while it runs. not that the engine is flooded or starving for oil because it's a little over full or under optimum. The oil
level light will come on if the oil is cold and moving slowly back to the sump, or dirty, or actually low. This does not mean you are in danger of burning up the engine. Sometimes it means you need to add some oil to bring the system closer to optimal level. Sometimes it just means you didn't let the bike warm up. Or that the oil is dirty.
Hope that helps.