oil type, qty and automotive filter option

[jus4fun]

New owner here. What type of oil should I use for the 250?

What quantity?

Is there an automotive oil filter option that is recommended or do I need a kawasaki filter?

Thanks

[Jiggles]

Rotella T6, just under 2 quarts and you can use pretty much any filter that will fit. I use K&N #401

[gilmorec61]

@Jiggles , is mobile 1 better that the rotella t6?

[choneofakind]

I use a WIX 24941 filter because I've never read about any issues with them, like there have been with FRAM filters.

For oil, I will be switching to Rotella T6 5W-40 because I've heard from multiple people that they really really like it and I've seen good results on it from a study a while back.

also, if your bike is under 1000 miles, use traditional oil, not synthetic.

Check the DIY oil change thread for a good list of filters that work with this bike.

[Jiggles]

Idk, I only use rotella t6, I like it

[etiainen]

T6 all the way

[cbdallas]

T6 and Wix

[etiainen]

I've used the FRAM filters before without an issue, but I did prefer the K&N ones.

[DaBlue1]

As far as oil filters go, you have a few options. They are located in the Wiki http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/Oil_Filters There may be some debate about Fram filters. There are 2 types that are made. Canister and cartridge type. The Ninja 250 uses the cartridge type filters and there have been no reported problems with them. Many riders have been using them for years. The same filter that fits the Ninja 250 also fits over 50 other Kawasaki models. Even the reported problems with the canister type filters were recalled and addressed years ago.

Oil. So I don't get into a big oil debate, here's what the owner's manual recommends;

Recommended Engine Oil
Type: API SE, SF or SG
API SH, SJ or SL with JASO MA
Viscosity: SAE 10W - 40
Capacity: 1.3 L (1.4 US qt) (When filter is not removed)
1.6 L (1.7 US qt) (When filter is removed)

NOTE
○Although 10W-40 engine oil is the recommended oil
for most conditions, the oil viscosity may need to be
changed to accommodate atmospheric conditions in
your riding area.

What is also listed in a chart is 10w-30,10w-50, 20w-40 & 20w-50
What it does not list is 15w, which falls in between 10w & 20w

There are also alternative oils that meet the type requirement recommended by Kawasaki and recommended by many in the motorcycle community.
These are formulated so close to motorcycle oil that they meet the recommended certification requirement.

1. Castrol RX Super 15w40
2. Chevron Delo 400 15w40
3. Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15w40
4. Pennzoil Long-Life 15w40
5. Quaker State 4X4 Synthetic Blend 15w40
6. Shell Rotella-T 15w40 (favorite among other motorcyclist who change oil frequently)
7. SuperTech 2000 (WalMart) 15w40
8. Valvoline All Fleet 15w40
9. Castrol Syntec Blend Truck and 4X4 15w40

You will be fine with 10w-40 if it is in the temp range you ride in. As for me I ride longer distances at higher speeds more than the average rider. I'm also a little heavier too, so I use CASTROL Act>evo Semi-Synthetic 4-Stroke Motor Oil 20w 50 and change it frequently. Why? because the book says I can. Besides, it makes the bike ride smoother. Keep in mind the Ninja 250 is a high revving bike and any oil you put in it will breakdown. How fast, depends on your driving conditions.

Everybody has their own choice and reason for what they use. Kawasaki gave us very good options, that they know the bike can handle.

[GlassAnkles]

i hated the rotella t5 and t6 clutch/gear action. Pulled the trigger on a gallon of Maxima Maxum4 Extra 10w40 and you wont believe the shifting

Wix filter all the way to

[cuz]

Theirs a page in the manual about oil weight.


oil brand: personal preference really i tired motorex & kawasaki.Really your choice just choice the right weight the manual answers that.

Oil Filters:

K&N http://autoplicity.com/products/3784...gn=GSNOFITMENT

WIX http://www.discountfleetsupply.com/wix24941.html

[choneofakind]

DaBlue1, The weights for the alternative oils should have been 5W-40, not 15W-40. 15W-40 would be thicker and be worse for lubricating when cold.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Preferred_Brands

[Rexbo]

Shell Rotella & Mobil 1.

Can't go wrong with either, I like the shell a little better since I buy it by the 5gal.

[DaBlue1]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

DaBlue1, The weights for the alternative oils should have been 5W-40, not 15W-40. 15W-40 would be thicker and be worse for lubricating when cold.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Preferred_Brands

Thanks. You are correct about cold lubrication, however I was thinking summer. I meant to put Rotella T and Rotella T6 and maybe have added a couple of others, but I thought those few were enough.

There are other brands and weights that other riders recommend as well.
http://www.vfrworld.com/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Consumables.html

[choneofakind]

I know Rotella T6 is preferred over Rotella T because T is energy conserving.

[trevor_shiggs]

I use Kawasaki Oil And Filter. Being an automotive tech I have seen many problems with aftermarket filters leading to major engine failure. But thats me.

[adouglas]

FWIW on filters: I've never had any issues with any filter on bike or car. However, one day at Cycle Gear I did open up the boxes and check out the two brands of filter they had on hand for the Ninjette: Fram and K&N. Every single Fram filter I looked at (at least six of them) had some kind of visible imperfection. All the K&Ns were identical and perfect.

I use K&N because of that.

[Jiggles]

My mechanic actually said not to use K&N because of some issues. There are 4 ducatis that had blown engines because the K&N restricted oil flow too much. Now, theres only been 4 instances of this in all of the US and its all happened on ducatis so I'm not that worried, but it is an issue I hadn't heard of before

[LNasty]

Just Got some Twin Power 20/50w synthetic oil from biker shop down the road. anyone use this stuff before?

[Ktam]

Been using Motul 10w40 and as for filters I've been using Hiflofiltro HF401 (some reviews say that this filter isn't so good, something along the lines of weird shifting and oil pressure light not going out - I haven't experienced this though)

IMO as long as you go with the recommended oil grades for your region and a filter that fits any aftermarket should do the trick - so long as you perform your changes with due diligence.

Cheers!

[nick5446]

Originally Posted by LNasty

Just Got some Twin Power 20/50w synthetic oil from biker shop down the road. anyone use this stuff before?

That's Harley stuff and really heavy. I probably wouldn't use it if I were you. Don't panic if you already did.

[LNasty]

Originally Posted by nick5446

That's Harley stuff and really heavy. I probably wouldn't use it if I were you. Don't panic if you already did.

I know its heavy, Live in texas and drive mainly on interstate (Hot as hell), everyone down here uses 20/50w, just don't know if the fact that it says v-twin means anything. from what I have researched It is no different than the synthetics that say 4 stroke

[LNasty]

Originally Posted by LNasty

I know its heavy, Live in texas and drive mainly on interstate (Hot as hell), everyone down here uses 20/50w, just don't know if the fact that it says v-twin means anything. from what I have researched It is no different than the synthetics that say 4 stroke

Actually just saw that it does say 4 stroke on it

[nick5446]

Originally Posted by LNasty

I know its heavy, Live in texas and drive mainly on interstate (Hot as hell), everyone down here uses 20/50w, just don't know if the fact that it says v-twin means anything. from what I have researched It is no different than the synthetics that say 4 stroke

To my knowledge there's nothing V-twin specific about it. I imagine you're good to go.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by LNasty

just don't know if the fact that it says v-twin means anything. from what I have researched It is no different than the synthetics that say 4 stroke

I only buy bottled water that says refreshing on the label. I don't want water that isn't refreshing.

Stay hydrated

[LNasty]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

I only buy bottled water that says refreshing on the label. I don't want water that isn't refreshing.

Stay hydrated

Thanks Jiggs

[SafetyPaws]

I currently use conventional, ive tried kawi, some cheap mobile motorcyle oil (was plannin on doing a quick change after that), and used honda gn4. All conventional and i am most likely about to switch to the T6. Maybe it is because it is all conventional but i noticed no difference between brands but i did notice the change after the fresh change each time. 4000 on conventional - time to go syn, every time i wanted to change it out i was not able to squeeze time to run get oil and i had some extra while i was doing research. I have used kawi filter, bikemaster filter (picked up at autozone/o reileys when dealers were closed for the kawi), and just bought a k&n when i bought my air filter - that will go in with the T6.

Originally Posted by Jiggles

I only buy bottled water that says refreshing on the label. I don't want water that isn't refreshing.

Stay hydrated

ahaha

is the T6 good for cold weather too or is that where the T comes in?