First start after winter, oil level light came on

[aigram]

My bike spent the winter with about 2L of oil in the case. Before starting, I added no more than half a liter and verified that the sightglass showed a safe level, with the bike standing level on the center stand. Ultimately the case had between 2-2.5L of oil in it.
While slowly test riding/waking the bike up around my neighborhood, the oil level light came on. I shut off the bike as soon as I noticed. Judging from the short distance down my street, the light could not have been on for more than 10s.
Sure enough, the oil level that I saw on the sightglass was no longer present once I got the bike standing level. I added enough oil to bring the level back to a safe mark (close to full on the sightglass) and did another test lap; The oil level light stayed off. With the bike in my garage, I cracked the throttle and kept the rpm's at a steady state and did not hear any scary valvetrain (or worse) noises), but it's tough to discern normal noisy FJ valvetrain from bad noises, especially after seeing a oil warning light come on and getting my adrenaline going!
What happened here? Not once have I ran a motor without a safe amount of oil, but it sure seems like I just did.

[aigram]

In typical forgetting how things work over winter, I realized that after I *usually* store the bike with a full oil level, then start it in the Spring riding season, I notice that the level usually reads lower after having pumped oil through the cooler and lines.
After this winter, I only started out with between 2-2.5L in the case. My theory is that after the motor had enough time to pump oil everywhere and through the cooler and lines that the low level condition was tripped.
Ultimately my question is did I run the motor long enough in a low-level condition such that I should be looking for shiny specks in the filter media?

[T Legg]

I wouldn't worry at all about it. You could forget to refill it after an oil change and run it with no oil for ten seconds without doing any damage . The oil level control senses the oil level not oil pressure. Chances are you still had decent oil pressure even when the light was on.

[Waiex191]

I wouldn't worry at all about it. You could forget to refill it after an oil change and run it with no oil for ten seconds without doing any damage . The oil level control senses the oil level not oil pressure. Chances are you still had decent oil pressure even when the light was on.

Exactly!

[Motofun]

Also, when the oil level is on the low side the light will come on when reving the engine to the upper regions.

[red]

Aigram,

The oil level light does not indicate oil pressure, that is correct.  You may see the Low Level light come on during hard acceleration, and/or going up a hill. 
That would not be a cause for concern.

That said, the full synthetic oils are far better at protecting your engine when oil pressure is lost.  Even a blend is better than straight dino oil, in that case.
Synthetic oil is more expensive to buy, but you change that oil half as often, so costs are really about the same.  HTH.

[Pat Conlon]

Oh Red, you were doing so well.....here we go...

[Sparky84]

So which brand of oil Red ?   


Btw, steep hills makes mine come on

[red]

So which brand of oil Red ?   Btw, steep hills makes mine come on

Sparky,

Sorry, but I do not want to start an oil thread.
Look into the science, and if you agree, fine.  If you want to disagree, fine.
We all make our choices.
YMMV.

[Pat Conlon]

I agree.... 15w-50 ester stock Redline Oil for me....

[aigram]

Thanks for the responses! Sounds like this is one of those "Don't do it again, but it's fine" sort of deals. I suppose this is one way to know that the sensor still works!
No "what kind of oil" discussion for me