Noob Question - Oil Level

carpediem · April 26th, 2010, 03:06 PM

Sorry if this is a totally noob question

I have 250km on my 2010 Ninja 250R and I was looking at the oil window level and I don't see any oil! It's not full such that you wouldn't see a line. The oil light is NOT on when the bike is running. Do I need to add oil when this happens? Also, the bike is on the side stand and not upright.
What oil should I get at this point? Thanks. Tracy

austexjg · April 26th, 2010, 03:10 PM

Needs to be upright as much as possible and not running.

ScraitT · April 26th, 2010, 03:11 PM

Check the oil with the bike upright, not on the sidestand.

Easiest way is to put a block of wood under the sidestand so the bike is upright, but keep a hand on the bike while you check the oil, you don't want it tipping over the other way!
That or get a friend to hold the bike upright for you.

(Or breakdown and buy a rear stand and spools to prop the bike up...if you have the money to spend)

2WheelGuy · April 26th, 2010, 03:16 PM

You can't measure the oil while the bike is on the side stand. It needs to be level.

With the bike on level ground hold it so that it is standing straight up on both wheels (not on any kind of stand). You should see oil in the window. Ideally it should be at or very near the top mark next to the glass. If you are not comfortable balancing the bike and checking the oil same time get a friend to hold the bike.

The preferred oil is Shell Rotella T synthetic. I believe the name is being changed to Shell Rotella T6.

carpediem · April 26th, 2010, 03:23 PM

Thanks guys. That was easy. Yeah, there's oil in there - the right amount!

cwb48 · April 27th, 2010, 05:32 AM

I hate to be preachy, but you really need to take out that nice little book that they gave you with the bike and read it cover to cover. In fact, if you are new to motorcycles, you should memorize that owner's manual. Believe it or not, there is a lot of useful information there.

carpediem · April 27th, 2010, 06:33 AM

duly noted ;-)

carpediem · April 27th, 2010, 06:46 AM

Oh, and I'm going to be taking this course next month:

http://www.humber.ca/motorcycle/maintenance.htm

April 26th, 2010, 03:06 PM	#1
carpediem ninjette.org member Name: Tracy Location: Toronto, Canada Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2010, My other rides: Cervelo P2C '08, Kestrel Talon SL '04 Posts: 38	Noob Question - Oil Level Sorry if this is a totally noob question I have 250km on my 2010 Ninja 250R and I was looking at the oil window level and I don't see any oil! It's not full such that you wouldn't see a line. The oil light is NOT on when the bike is running. Do I need to add oil when this happens? Also, the bike is on the side stand and not upright. What oil should I get at this point? Thanks. Tracy

April 26th, 2010, 03:11 PM	#3
ScraitT Green! Name: Tyler Location: S. Florida Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R, 04 Honda CRF230F, 94 Honda XR80R Posts: 505	Check the oil with the bike upright, not on the sidestand. Easiest way is to put a block of wood under the sidestand so the bike is upright, but keep a hand on the bike while you check the oil, you don't want it tipping over the other way! That or get a friend to hold the bike upright for you. (Or breakdown and buy a rear stand and spools to prop the bike up...if you have the money to spend) __________________________________________________ 2008 Green 250R

April 26th, 2010, 03:16 PM	#4
2WheelGuy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Craig Location: Silicon Valley, CA USA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '98 EX250, '02 EX250, '08 250r, '03 SV650, '98 GSXR750 '03 Hayabusa, '87 YSR50, '84 ZX900, +MORE Posts: A lot.	You can't measure the oil while the bike is on the side stand. It needs to be level. With the bike on level ground hold it so that it is standing straight up on both wheels (not on any kind of stand). You should see oil in the window. Ideally it should be at or very near the top mark next to the glass. If you are not comfortable balancing the bike and checking the oil same time get a friend to hold the bike. The preferred oil is Shell Rotella T synthetic. I believe the name is being changed to Shell Rotella T6. __________________________________________________ CraigHarris.org Pacific Track Time CraigsWeb See you at 2014 MotoGP Laguna Seca! We'll be camping on Fox Hill. AFM #278

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April 26th, 2010, 03:10 PM	#2
austexjg ninjette.org sage Name: J.G. Location: Austin Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 zx6r Green/Black, (ex-)Diablo Black '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 959	Needs to be upright as much as possible and not running.

April 26th, 2010, 03:23 PM	#5
carpediem ninjette.org member Name: Tracy Location: Toronto, Canada Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2010, My other rides: Cervelo P2C '08, Kestrel Talon SL '04 Posts: 38	Thanks guys. That was easy. Yeah, there's oil in there - the right amount!

April 27th, 2010, 05:32 AM	#6
cwb48 Mature motorcyclist Name: Chris Location: Sykesville, MD Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, blue Posts: 126	I hate to be preachy, but you really need to take out that nice little book that they gave you with the bike and read it cover to cover. In fact, if you are new to motorcycles, you should memorize that owner's manual. Believe it or not, there is a lot of useful information there.

April 27th, 2010, 06:33 AM	#7
carpediem ninjette.org member Name: Tracy Location: Toronto, Canada Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2010, My other rides: Cervelo P2C '08, Kestrel Talon SL '04 Posts: 38	duly noted ;-)

April 27th, 2010, 06:46 AM	#8
carpediem ninjette.org member Name: Tracy Location: Toronto, Canada Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2010, My other rides: Cervelo P2C '08, Kestrel Talon SL '04 Posts: 38	Oh, and I'm going to be taking this course next month: http://www.humber.ca/motorcycle/maintenance.htm