how low of oil pressure to turn on the light?

I started my VFR today and it seem that there was a knocking noise that came from the head. I then gave a bit of gas and the engine quit. I put the bike on it's center stand and check the oil level. I was on a little bit of a hill and the level was at the low mark or maybe a tiny bit below. I was afraid I might of done some damage to the engine. I added some oil and the knock was still there until it warmed up and the idle dropped to 1000rpm. So for the oil pressure light to come on, does the level of oil has to be really low? Or will it come on at a point where there might be some damage cause the light never came on.

When I finally got it started I had to crank a long time as if the engine was maybe flooded eventually it started.

It seems to be running fine now but I don't want to ride it until I do another oil change first. I did my oil change about 2670 miles ago, I looked at the drain plug and there is no leaks. Would it be noraml for the engine to burn that much oil? I don't see any smoke coming out the back so I don't know where the oil might of went the engine is clean.

Any ideas what I should check and if I might of made some damage?

 

Fer god's sake guys, if you need help please say what year and engine size bike you have and how many miles on the beast !!

 

Sorry forgot to mention it's a 2005 VFR800 with ABS with 14500 miles.

 

OK, then !

It's not at all likely that any damage was done by your slightly low oil level.

But the knock ?? I dunno.

I'd try a heavier oil, like a 10W-40 or 20W-40 maybe, but avoid automotive oils with SH and SJ ratings.

 

well I changed the oil, the engine seems to be running fine. Is a VFR suppose to burn oil? Is there a spec on how much it's suppose to burn per how many miles? I have no idea why the oil level dropped that low. I didn't see any oil leaks anywhere.

 

Fill it to the top mark, and keep checking periodically, then you'll know the oil loss rate.