when to change oil

lilninja · March 26th, 2009, 11:00 PM

i just got my 2009 ninja. I put 100 miles on it so far. the manual says change oil at 500 or 600 miles. i have read that people have changed their oil alot sooner. i was wondering when you guys changed your oil for the first time? thanks

kkim · March 26th, 2009, 11:25 PM

lol... here we go again.... I changed mine at 50, 150, 300 and 600.

I subscribe to the theory that bits of metal get sheared off during the break in process and having it in there any longer than necessary is harmful to the engine. As the engine has more miles on it, less metal gets sheared off and the need to change as often diminishes.

Others don't feel as strongly as I do and have changed it as per the manual suggests. Do what you feel is "right".

While I don't subscribe to everything in this article, I do agree with running it hard to seat the rings and changing the oil often during the initial stages of an engine's life.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

SteveL · March 27th, 2009, 07:44 AM

I have 500Km on mine and will change the oil as Kawasaki recommends at 1000Km
I assume they know what’s needed after all they give you a guarantee

Steve

Snake · March 27th, 2009, 08:36 AM

My opinion is that more often is better than less often. The crankcase only holds two quarts of oil so the extra money spent is worth the extra insurance you are getting.

M-Oorb · March 27th, 2009, 08:57 AM

At the very least you should follow the manuel. I happn to agree with kkim though. A new engine will have more metal shaved off in the initial break in period. So to be safe you COULD do it more often if you want to to help presrve the engine. Changing the oil more often then recommended will not hurt your bike if done correctly and doesn't really cost that much and there is the possibility of benefits to your new engine.
Posted via Mobile Device

camaroz1985 · March 27th, 2009, 09:03 AM

I don't have my spreadsheet with me, but IIRC I did it at 50, 500, 1500, 3500, and 5500. Not exactly even, but I switched to synthetic at 3500.

I also believe that more often is better and you won't hurt anything. For conventional oil you spend less than $15 for the oil and filter, so I didn't mind doing the extra oil changes early.

HKr1 · March 27th, 2009, 04:25 PM

I wasnt gonna change it till the 600 mile mark. Was forced to change after the bike didnt want to go into 2nd, or would pop outta 2nd. Hope they dont use that same crap in the bikes now.

G250RSC · March 30th, 2009, 10:03 AM

I changed mine at 250, 500, 1000, 4000, 8000. I did it more often in the beginning fearing the metal bits would cause harm to the engine. But now I change it every 4000 miles or so which is about every 2 months.

almost40 · April 8th, 2009, 01:46 PM

Gota go with Kkim here I have 4 used filters and 7 Quarts of used motor oil with just a few metal bits in them. Ill make you a great deal on all of it. lol

March 26th, 2009, 11:00 PM	#1
lilninja ninjette.org member Name: Lisa Location: detroit, mi Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki ninja 250 Posts: 28	when to change oil i just got my 2009 ninja. I put 100 miles on it so far. the manual says change oil at 500 or 600 miles. i have read that people have changed their oil alot sooner. i was wondering when you guys changed your oil for the first time? thanks Last futzed with by lilninja; March 26th, 2009 at 11:16 PM. Reason: wrong title

March 27th, 2009, 07:44 AM	#3
SteveL old git Name: Steve Location: Geneve Switzerland Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): BMW K1300S Posts: 479	I have 500Km on mine and will change the oil as Kawasaki recommends at 1000Km I assume they know what’s needed after all they give you a guarantee Steve __________________________________________________ Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

April 8th, 2009, 01:46 PM	#9
almost40 ninjette.org Monkey Spank Name: Kevin Location: Illinois Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Track-Bike Woodcraft clip-ons and rearsets FZ-6 track bike Posts: A lot.	Gota go with Kkim here I have 4 used filters and 7 Quarts of used motor oil with just a few metal bits in them. Ill make you a great deal on all of it. lol __________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is it normal for oil to increase a bit in the crankcase after an oil change?	cadd	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	10	May 15th, 2014 08:38 PM
Synthetic oil at 300 mile oil change?	anacron	2013 - 2017 Ninja 300 Tech Talk	14	July 29th, 2013 04:58 PM
Oil drain plug gasket for oil change.	tsdexter	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	8	July 10th, 2012 01:00 PM
Oil Change	Honko	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	10	July 17th, 2011 08:58 AM
change oil filter, without draining oil?	peter330	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	5	May 30th, 2010 01:08 PM

March 26th, 2009, 11:25 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	lol... here we go again.... I changed mine at 50, 150, 300 and 600. I subscribe to the theory that bits of metal get sheared off during the break in process and having it in there any longer than necessary is harmful to the engine. As the engine has more miles on it, less metal gets sheared off and the need to change as often diminishes. Others don't feel as strongly as I do and have changed it as per the manual suggests. Do what you feel is "right". While I don't subscribe to everything in this article, I do agree with running it hard to seat the rings and changing the oil often during the initial stages of an engine's life. http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

March 27th, 2009, 08:36 AM	#4
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	My opinion is that more often is better than less often. The crankcase only holds two quarts of oil so the extra money spent is worth the extra insurance you are getting.

March 27th, 2009, 08:57 AM	#5
M-Oorb ninjette.org sage Name: Matt Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914	At the very least you should follow the manuel. I happn to agree with kkim though. A new engine will have more metal shaved off in the initial break in period. So to be safe you COULD do it more often if you want to to help presrve the engine. Changing the oil more often then recommended will not hurt your bike if done correctly and doesn't really cost that much and there is the possibility of benefits to your new engine. Posted via Mobile Device

March 27th, 2009, 09:03 AM	#6
camaroz1985 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ryan Location: Carlisle, PA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 WR250R, 2006 Ural Raven (Sold), 2009 Versys Green (Sold), 2008 Ninja 250R Green (Sold) Posts: A lot.	I don't have my spreadsheet with me, but IIRC I did it at 50, 500, 1500, 3500, and 5500. Not exactly even, but I switched to synthetic at 3500. I also believe that more often is better and you won't hurt anything. For conventional oil you spend less than $15 for the oil and filter, so I didn't mind doing the extra oil changes early.

March 27th, 2009, 04:25 PM	#7
HKr1 IC2(SW) Name: Kerry Location: Pensacola Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.	I wasnt gonna change it till the 600 mile mark. Was forced to change after the bike didnt want to go into 2nd, or would pop outta 2nd. Hope they dont use that same crap in the bikes now.

March 30th, 2009, 10:03 AM	#8
G250RSC ninjette.org member Name: Gene Location: Lexington SC Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Posts: 44	I changed mine at 250, 500, 1000, 4000, 8000. I did it more often in the beginning fearing the metal bits would cause harm to the engine. But now I change it every 4000 miles or so which is about every 2 months.