How often do you change your oil?

RNrider · November 6th, 2011, 11:39 PM

Got the 600 mile maintenance done a few months ago and just hit 1000mi recently. How often do you rec to change oil for a daily commuter?

Honko · November 7th, 2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil7153

I dont know about everyone else, but i like to change my oil and filter every 300 miles. I changed it ever 150 while i was breaking it in.

I'd be more than happy to take the money you're wasting doing that off of your hands.

vkuchhal · November 7th, 2011, 12:21 AM

I go in with the mineral oil change every 5000 -6000 kms.

dubojr1 · November 7th, 2011, 05:55 AM

saxnbass · November 7th, 2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil7153

$9 per 800 miles isnt that much money. A lot cheaper than a new engine..

I'd love to know where you're getting 2quarts of oil and a filter for $9 total.

dubojr1 · November 7th, 2011, 08:05 AM

I'm not sure I wanna know...

Lil_Green_Demon · November 7th, 2011, 08:17 AM

I've only had my bike for a little over 3k miles now & I've changed the oil 3 times. I plan on changing it again in another 2k miles or whenever the oil screen shows the oil level is pretty low. Whichever comes first, I guess.

kaiserz · November 7th, 2011, 10:01 AM

First 1k miles I changed my oil at 100, 400, 600, 800, 1000, changed filter at 100, 600, 1000.
1k - 2k miles oil change 1000, 1600, 2000, filter change at 600 and 2000

switched to synthetic at 2k and haven't changed my oil yet. planning to change it at 4k.

etiainen · November 7th, 2011, 10:40 AM

Changed it at 3200 and then again at 6200. The previous owner said he changed it, and I was fine with that until 3200. The service manual has pretty big intervals though, I may just follow that now. I'm using Rotella 5w-40 synthetic which I've been liking. It was about $21 a gallon.

etiainen · November 7th, 2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiserz

First 1k miles I changed my oil at 100, 400, 600, 800, 1000, changed filter at 100, 600, 1000.
1k - 2k miles oil change 1000, 1600, 2000, filter change at 600 and 2000

switched to synthetic at 2k and haven't changed my oil yet. planning to change it at 4k.

That's a lot of changes

I guess I don't have the time to change it that much......

dubojr1 · November 7th, 2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etiainen

Changed it at 3200 and then again at 6200. The previous owner said he changed it, and I was fine with that until 3200. The service manual has pretty big intervals though, I may just follow that now. I'm using Rotella 5w-40 synthetic which I've been liking. It was about $21 a gallon.

Good oil and there's no reason, no matter how you ride your bike, that you can't get at least 5k miles out of each change.

etiainen · November 7th, 2011, 01:08 PM

Yeah, I'm thinking of just waiting 5-6k, I don't see a reason not to

and not to mention that will only take me 5-6 months

Posted via Mobile Device

alex.s · November 7th, 2011, 02:02 PM

i wait until it starts looking like it needs a change. sight glass ftw. usually this is before the recommended interval though... but really depends on how hard its ridden in my case

LoneRonin · November 8th, 2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

i wait until it starts looking like it needs a change. sight glass ftw. usually this is before the recommended interval though... but really depends on how hard its ridden in my case

I don't know about the accuracy of that...
Some oils I've seen like Motul 5100 are pretty dark to begin with and get even darker quick. Whereas some stay golden colored a lot longer.

Mazakawi · November 8th, 2011, 12:33 PM

I had mine done at the 600 mile service by the dealer. I'm at just over 4500 miles now and haven't done it since. Changing the oil as often as some of you are is just a waste.

I figure the engineers at Kawasaki must have had some kind of idea what the engine they designed needs. If they thought it needed it more than every 7500 miles they would've put it in the manual.

You do realize that if they wanted to have it done every 1K they would've put that in there. They stand to make more money by doing it by selling more Kawasaki Brand Oil and Filters.

I also only change the oil in my truck every 5k-7500 miles.

Ramen · November 16th, 2011, 12:38 AM

Did mine at 600, 5000, 10,000 and I plan on changing it next at 20,000. At ~16,500 on the odometer right now. I change the oil and filter every time. Rotella 5w-40 full synthetic, Fram filter. Running like a champ.

Book calls for a change every 7500 and I reckon full synthetic stretches it out ok to every 10,000. My car has the same service interval.

SteveL · November 16th, 2011, 01:57 AM

Do you not think that the manufacture knows what is needed, change the oil as specified no need to do more. Kawasaki would not give a two year warranty and not say the oil had to be changed every 1000 miles.

Steve

"A" · November 16th, 2011, 07:01 AM

Engine oil break down is somewhat similar to tires, heat cycle has more to do with the engine oils capacity to lubricate the moving parts.

You can have oil molecule break down quicker if you have frequent engine on/off cycle that oil temperature varies between extrems.

For vehicles that operate constantly without the engine oil getting cool, you can actually have longer intervauls between oil changes.

LoD575 · November 17th, 2011, 06:54 PM

I used the MotoMan method of breaking in my engine. Changed oil at 50, 100, 300, then again with the 600 mile servicing.
Next oil change will be at the 1,000 mark and will switch to rotella 5w-40. After the switch I will probably change it every 5k miles.

Jiggles · November 17th, 2011, 09:16 PM

I'm at nearly 10k miles and I've had a total of 2 oil changes

reaperw · November 20th, 2011, 07:12 PM

Well i change my every 3000km with a k&n filter

Fly'in Ninja · December 2nd, 2011, 12:56 AM

^^^ same here, every 3k ^^^

RaZeDaHeLL · December 2nd, 2011, 06:17 AM

Had my first oil change at 200. Going to do my second when I hit 600.

saxnbass · December 2nd, 2011, 08:26 AM

On a bit of a side note to this. When did you all switch to synthetic?

Samer · December 5th, 2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxnbass

On a bit of a side note to this. When did you all switch to synthetic?

Careful! That might open up some huge debates...

If you do yet another search you might find a thread or two on this. Some say wait a couple of thousand miles, others like me, did it on their first oil change. Either way, you'll be fine. I don't think you'll find one person who had a bad experience switching to synthetic too early. But you'll find plenty of people warning you nonetheless

jonthechron · December 12th, 2011, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

I don't know about the accuracy of that...
Some oils I've seen like Motul 5100 are pretty dark to begin with and get even darker quick. Whereas some stay golden colored a lot longer.

An oil can be pretty clear yet needs to be changed, the best way is to change it is very x amount of kilometers

November 6th, 2011, 11:39 PM	#1
RNrider ninjette.org member Name: Steph Location: Los Angeles, CA Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 21	How often do you change your oil? Got the 600 mile maintenance done a few months ago and just hit 1000mi recently. How often do you rec to change oil for a daily commuter?

November 7th, 2011, 05:55 AM	#4
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	__________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

November 7th, 2011, 08:05 AM	#6
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	I'm not sure I wanna know... __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

November 7th, 2011, 08:17 AM	#7
Lil_Green_Demon Winging It In Life Name: Umar Location: SoCal Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R; 2011 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	I've only had my bike for a little over 3k miles now & I've changed the oil 3 times. I plan on changing it again in another 2k miles or whenever the oil screen shows the oil level is pretty low. Whichever comes first, I guess. __________________________________________________ 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - Apr 22, 2011; Sold - Feb 17, 2015) 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - May 01, 2017; Current)

November 7th, 2011, 02:02 PM	#13
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	i wait until it starts looking like it needs a change. sight glass ftw. usually this is before the recommended interval though... but really depends on how hard its ridden in my case __________________________________________________

November 7th, 2011, 12:21 AM	#3
vkuchhal ninjette.org member Name: vibhor Location: india Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250r -2010 Posts: 60	I go in with the mineral oil change every 5000 -6000 kms.

November 7th, 2011, 10:01 AM	#8
kaiserz There's a limit to s2pdty Name: A.D. Location: NoVa the burg Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r ninja (sold) Posts: A lot.	First 1k miles I changed my oil at 100, 400, 600, 800, 1000, changed filter at 100, 600, 1000. 1k - 2k miles oil change 1000, 1600, 2000, filter change at 600 and 2000 switched to synthetic at 2k and haven't changed my oil yet. planning to change it at 4k.

November 7th, 2011, 10:40 AM	#9
etiainen CBR250R Traitor Name: Jon Location: Greater Philadelphia Area Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Red CBR250R 2009 Ninja 250r SE(With 2008 Fairings)(sold) Posts: 924	Changed it at 3200 and then again at 6200. The previous owner said he changed it, and I was fine with that until 3200. The service manual has pretty big intervals though, I may just follow that now. I'm using Rotella 5w-40 synthetic which I've been liking. It was about $21 a gallon.

November 7th, 2011, 01:08 PM	#12
etiainen CBR250R Traitor Name: Jon Location: Greater Philadelphia Area Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Red CBR250R 2009 Ninja 250r SE(With 2008 Fairings)(sold) Posts: 924	Yeah, I'm thinking of just waiting 5-6k, I don't see a reason not to and not to mention that will only take me 5-6 months Posted via Mobile Device

November 8th, 2011, 12:33 PM	#15
Mazakawi ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R Posts: 159	I had mine done at the 600 mile service by the dealer. I'm at just over 4500 miles now and haven't done it since. Changing the oil as often as some of you are is just a waste. I figure the engineers at Kawasaki must have had some kind of idea what the engine they designed needs. If they thought it needed it more than every 7500 miles they would've put it in the manual. You do realize that if they wanted to have it done every 1K they would've put that in there. They stand to make more money by doing it by selling more Kawasaki Brand Oil and Filters. I also only change the oil in my truck every 5k-7500 miles.

November 16th, 2011, 12:38 AM	#16
Ramen Frak It Name: Sean Location: SWFL Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 199	Did mine at 600, 5000, 10,000 and I plan on changing it next at 20,000. At ~16,500 on the odometer right now. I change the oil and filter every time. Rotella 5w-40 full synthetic, Fram filter. Running like a champ. Book calls for a change every 7500 and I reckon full synthetic stretches it out ok to every 10,000. My car has the same service interval.

November 16th, 2011, 01:57 AM	#17
SteveL old git Name: Steve Location: Geneve Switzerland Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): BMW K1300S Posts: 479	Do you not think that the manufacture knows what is needed, change the oil as specified no need to do more. Kawasaki would not give a two year warranty and not say the oil had to be changed every 1000 miles. Steve __________________________________________________ Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

November 16th, 2011, 07:01 AM	#18
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	Engine oil break down is somewhat similar to tires, heat cycle has more to do with the engine oils capacity to lubricate the moving parts. You can have oil molecule break down quicker if you have frequent engine on/off cycle that oil temperature varies between extrems. For vehicles that operate constantly without the engine oil getting cool, you can actually have longer intervauls between oil changes.

November 17th, 2011, 06:54 PM	#19
LoD575 ninjette.org sage Name: Steve Location: Valdosta GA, US Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 2006 Ninja ZX6R-636 Posts: 661	I used the MotoMan method of breaking in my engine. Changed oil at 50, 100, 300, then again with the 600 mile servicing. Next oil change will be at the 1,000 mark and will switch to rotella 5w-40. After the switch I will probably change it every 5k miles.

November 17th, 2011, 09:16 PM	#20
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	I'm at nearly 10k miles and I've had a total of 2 oil changes __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

November 20th, 2011, 07:12 PM	#21
reaperw ninjette.org member Name: Ian Location: newmarket Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250 Posts: 191	Well i change my every 3000km with a k&n filter

December 2nd, 2011, 12:56 AM	#22
Fly'in Ninja ninjette.org guru Name: Al Location: Bay Area Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): C-250R-ST Posts: 287	^^^ same here, every 3k ^^^

December 2nd, 2011, 06:17 AM	#23
RaZeDaHeLL The Black Widow Name: Eva Location: Brooklyn, NY Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 189	Had my first oil change at 200. Going to do my second when I hit 600. __________________________________________________ The Venom List - For All Things Venomous!!!

December 2nd, 2011, 08:26 AM	#24
saxnbass ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Nashville, TN Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 CBR600rr Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	On a bit of a side note to this. When did you all switch to synthetic?

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