Oil change

mxnello · April 17th, 2009, 02:22 PM

09 shifting is a little clunky, any opinions on best oil to allow smoother gear changes?

OldGuy · April 17th, 2009, 02:26 PM

How many miles and last oil change?

mxnello · April 17th, 2009, 02:38 PM

1st change

OldGuy · April 17th, 2009, 02:41 PM

Well that would tend to rule out oil as the problem. Can you help us understand what you mean by "clunky".

On both my '01 and '09 I will occasional get a "clunk" during an up shift, especially if I am short shifting (shifting way early in the RPM range).

mxnello · April 17th, 2009, 02:47 PM

just not as smooth as I would of thought, had many a motocross bike that shifted way smoother.

Sound Wave · April 17th, 2009, 02:52 PM

mine "clunks" from n-1 and 1-2. i think that is the way it is supposed to be.

OldGuy · April 17th, 2009, 02:53 PM

If you are getting up and down in gears without any problem and it's just not as smooth as you think it should be, give it some time and keep you ears open for unusual sounds. I've found both my bikes shift the best when you ride them "with spirit"

mxnello · April 17th, 2009, 02:54 PM

here, seems worse with the shift from 1-n-2,

Sound Wave · April 17th, 2009, 02:58 PM

i don't think changing the oil will help our "problem" and it doesn't bug me. however, i was going to change my oil this weekend anyways. i got a bit over 1300 miles and i am switching to semi-synthetic. this will be my 2nd oil change. first was at 550 miles with conventional oil.

i will see if there is any difference with the "clunk" after the change.

mxnello · April 17th, 2009, 03:01 PM

let me know how you make out, if it helps at all.

islanderman7 · April 17th, 2009, 03:45 PM

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16993

capt_bugaloo · April 17th, 2009, 03:48 PM

I doubt changing the oil will help, but it certainly won't hurt.
I would recommend you stick with good old 10W40, as recommended in your owner's manual. Synthetic IMHO is a waste of money as you'll be changing the oil soon anyhow.

I find that the Ninja 250r has a very solid, positive feel to the transmission. When you change gears, the feeling that reminds me very much of flicking a lightswitch. As soon as you give it a firm nudge with your foot, the next gear just snaps right into place.

kkim · April 17th, 2009, 04:06 PM

The trannys on the 250Rs are not the snickety snick type. They are rather crude and clunky, but they do get the job done. I agree I've had dirt bikes that shift cleaner and smoother than the ninja.

That being said, I'd recommend you try changing the oil and filter on your own and see if it makes a diff. I know there are some that have had a remarked difference after getting that horrible factory oil out and some quality fluids in there in terms of shifting ease.

I also agree that changing to a synthetic after you feel the motor is fully broken in is a good thing. With so little power from these engines, any advantage you can give them to make as much power as possible is a positive. Full synthetic helped the shifting in my bike, too, and I highly recommend it, but then I've always been a believer in synthetic oils in small displacement engines for a number of different benefits.

ps- also, make sure your clutch lever/cable is properly adjusted.

1hardryder4life · April 17th, 2009, 04:21 PM

mine be a bit clunky sometimes too. Usually only when shifting at low rpm ranges though. perhaps i will try synthetic next change.

kkim · April 17th, 2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1hardryder4life

perhaps i will try synthetic next change.

I recommend you do that only after you feel your bike is fully broken in. That is the only caveat I have on using the proper synthetic oil in our bikes.

almost40 · April 17th, 2009, 09:07 PM

I have to agree with Kkim..... I would run regular 10w40 motorcycle oil till at least 1500 miles and change it often.(at least 3 times) I switched to full synt Mobil 1 and did notice a big difference in shifting smoothness.

kkim · April 17th, 2009, 09:10 PM

plus, if you beat the hell out of your bike at the dragstrip, every little bit of shear strength protection helps, eh?

mxnello · April 18th, 2009, 04:47 AM

will do the regular oil for 1st 3 changes then switch over.

TrueFaith · April 18th, 2009, 07:43 AM

I just changed my oil yesterday from regular Rotella T to full synthetic Rotella T. Rotella T is slightly thicker truck-type oil and is used by a lot of riders and comes highly recommended. Try using the regular Rotella T and it may make the wet clutch slightly easier to engage. Then when you hit 1500 miles or more you can switch to Rotella T full synthetic.

almost40 · April 18th, 2009, 09:18 AM

Well Kkim it sure doesnt hurt lol. I figure the extra 7 bucks (at most) is worth every penny. By the way I dont beat up my bike, I polish it with a diaper. Ill beat up the lil mill on my upcoming track days.

1hardryder4life · April 18th, 2009, 03:17 PM

my bike is def broken in. Its a daily commuter, and my commute is canyon riding, no freeway stuff here. though I just changed the oil a few days ago and didnt even consider synthetic. I shall wait til next service.

April 17th, 2009, 02:22 PM	#1
mxnello ninjette.org member Name: Nello Location: Central, NJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R 'Blue' Posts: 53	Oil change 09 shifting is a little clunky, any opinions on best oil to allow smoother gear changes?

April 17th, 2009, 02:26 PM	#2
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	How many miles and last oil change? __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

April 17th, 2009, 02:38 PM	#3
mxnello ninjette.org member Name: Nello Location: Central, NJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R 'Blue' Posts: 53	250 miles 1st change

April 17th, 2009, 02:41 PM	#4
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	Well that would tend to rule out oil as the problem. Can you help us understand what you mean by "clunky". On both my '01 and '09 I will occasional get a "clunk" during an up shift, especially if I am short shifting (shifting way early in the RPM range). __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

April 17th, 2009, 02:47 PM	#5
mxnello ninjette.org member Name: Nello Location: Central, NJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R 'Blue' Posts: 53	clunky just not as smooth as I would of thought, had many a motocross bike that shifted way smoother.

April 17th, 2009, 02:52 PM	#6
Sound Wave Ramen Rider Name: Gary Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	mine "clunks" from n-1 and 1-2. i think that is the way it is supposed to be.

April 17th, 2009, 02:53 PM	#7
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	If you are getting up and down in gears without any problem and it's just not as smooth as you think it should be, give it some time and keep you ears open for unusual sounds. I've found both my bikes shift the best when you ride them "with spirit" __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

April 17th, 2009, 02:54 PM	#8
mxnello ninjette.org member Name: Nello Location: Central, NJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R 'Blue' Posts: 53	same here, seems worse with the shift from 1-n-2,

April 17th, 2009, 02:58 PM	#9
Sound Wave Ramen Rider Name: Gary Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	i don't think changing the oil will help our "problem" and it doesn't bug me. however, i was going to change my oil this weekend anyways. i got a bit over 1300 miles and i am switching to semi-synthetic. this will be my 2nd oil change. first was at 550 miles with conventional oil. i will see if there is any difference with the "clunk" after the change.

April 17th, 2009, 03:01 PM	#10
mxnello ninjette.org member Name: Nello Location: Central, NJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R 'Blue' Posts: 53	semi syn let me know how you make out, if it helps at all.

April 17th, 2009, 03:45 PM	#11
islanderman7 The Sexy Filipino Name: Jordan Location: Bakersfield, Ca Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2008 (da black one) Posts: 312	http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16993 __________________________________________________ Area P CF Standard,Airbox Removed,K&N R-0990,Factory Pro Jet Kit 3.0, Zero Gravity DB I'm not riding too fast... I'm flying too low.

April 17th, 2009, 03:48 PM	#12
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	I doubt changing the oil will help, but it certainly won't hurt. I would recommend you stick with good old 10W40, as recommended in your owner's manual. Synthetic IMHO is a waste of money as you'll be changing the oil soon anyhow. I find that the Ninja 250r has a very solid, positive feel to the transmission. When you change gears, the feeling that reminds me very much of flicking a lightswitch. As soon as you give it a firm nudge with your foot, the next gear just snaps right into place. __________________________________________________ '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver)

April 17th, 2009, 04:06 PM	#13
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	The trannys on the 250Rs are not the snickety snick type. They are rather crude and clunky, but they do get the job done. I agree I've had dirt bikes that shift cleaner and smoother than the ninja. That being said, I'd recommend you try changing the oil and filter on your own and see if it makes a diff. I know there are some that have had a remarked difference after getting that horrible factory oil out and some quality fluids in there in terms of shifting ease. I also agree that changing to a synthetic after you feel the motor is fully broken in is a good thing. With so little power from these engines, any advantage you can give them to make as much power as possible is a positive. Full synthetic helped the shifting in my bike, too, and I highly recommend it, but then I've always been a believer in synthetic oils in small displacement engines for a number of different benefits. ps- also, make sure your clutch lever/cable is properly adjusted.

April 17th, 2009, 04:21 PM	#14
1hardryder4life ninjette.org member Name: TBoz Location: New York Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): Nothing Posts: 93	mine be a bit clunky sometimes too. Usually only when shifting at low rpm ranges though. perhaps i will try synthetic next change.

April 17th, 2009, 09:07 PM	#16
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.	I have to agree with Kkim..... I would run regular 10w40 motorcycle oil till at least 1500 miles and change it often.(at least 3 times) I switched to full synt Mobil 1 and did notice a big difference in shifting smoothness. __________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

April 17th, 2009, 09:10 PM	#17
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	plus, if you beat the hell out of your bike at the dragstrip, every little bit of shear strength protection helps, eh?

April 18th, 2009, 04:47 AM	#18
mxnello ninjette.org member Name: Nello Location: Central, NJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R 'Blue' Posts: 53	thanks will do the regular oil for 1st 3 changes then switch over.

April 18th, 2009, 07:43 AM	#19
TrueFaith ninjette.org sage Name: Wayne Location: Brookfield, MA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Honda CBR250R Posts: 585	I just changed my oil yesterday from regular Rotella T to full synthetic Rotella T. Rotella T is slightly thicker truck-type oil and is used by a lot of riders and comes highly recommended. Try using the regular Rotella T and it may make the wet clutch slightly easier to engage. Then when you hit 1500 miles or more you can switch to Rotella T full synthetic.

April 18th, 2009, 09:18 AM	#20
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.	Well Kkim it sure doesnt hurt lol. I figure the extra 7 bucks (at most) is worth every penny. By the way I dont beat up my bike, I polish it with a diaper. Ill beat up the lil mill on my upcoming track days. __________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

April 18th, 2009, 03:17 PM	#21
1hardryder4life ninjette.org member Name: TBoz Location: New York Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): Nothing Posts: 93	my bike is def broken in. Its a daily commuter, and my commute is canyon riding, no freeway stuff here. though I just changed the oil a few days ago and didnt even consider synthetic. I shall wait til next service.

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