Oil change frequency?

norm_52 · July 7th, 2009, 08:55 AM

hey guys, just wondering how often you guys change your oil? how many km? and how long for filter?

Alex · July 7th, 2009, 09:00 AM

It varies. Some folks here follow the guidelines in the maintenance manual (change oil + filter at 600 miles, change at 4000 miles, change at 7500 miles, etc.) If you change it less frequently than that and run into a problem requiring warranty service, the worry is that Kawi may determine that the bike wasn't being maintained as required.

Other folks change their oil more often, especially as the bike is newer and still in its break-in period. I think kkim changes his every other Tuesday, or every 14 miles, which ever comes first.

backinthesaddleagain · July 7th, 2009, 09:20 AM

I followed the book, first at 600, next at 4,000. Will do next one at 7,500 which should coincide with start of winter. I don't push it that hard, no track days (yet) and haven't seen much junk trapped in the filter element or in the drain pan (a couple granuals in the pan). Not sure off the top of my head if 4,000 service calls for oil change (just remember check brakes, and emissions - cali model). But figure 3k or 4k is about as far as I would want to stretch it.

backinthesaddleagain · July 7th, 2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

It varies. Some folks here follow the guidelines in the maintenance manual (change oil + filter at 600 miles, change at 4000 miles, change at 7500 miles, etc.) If you change it less frequently than that and run into a problem requiring warranty service, the worry is that Kawi may determine that the bike wasn't being maintained as required.

Other folks change their oil more often, especially as the bike is newer and still in its break-in period. I think kkim changes his every other Tuesday, or every 14 miles, which ever comes first.

i was going to ask KKIM if the oil that he drains could be sealed in a container and sent to my house for me to use.

seriously I had a couple friends who raced kawi kx 125 in mx. one had unlimited funds (enclosed trailer, spare bike, etc, and paid another friend to be his mechanic). mechanic friend would pull the clutch plates out of one kx every monday, zip tie them together in the order they came out, and give them to the other friend for use in his bike.

almost40 · July 7th, 2009, 10:43 AM

Changed my oil 4 times already and Im at 4200 miles.(changed it alot during break-in) Ill change it again this winter.
Ill change my oil once a season. or every 3000 miles.

Snake · July 7th, 2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almost40

Changed my oil 4 times already and Im at 4200 miles.(changed it alot during break-in) Ill change it again this winter.
Ill change my oil once a season. or every 3000 miles.

Thats the scheduale that I stick to. With only holding two quarts of oil it's relatively cheep changing the oil and thats with using Synthetic oil. With almost 18,000 miles on my bike I must be doing something right.

kkim · July 7th, 2009, 11:17 AM

Actually, Alex, there is no need to change at 4k either. You actually wasted money if you changed it at 4k.

first change at 600miles and at 7.5K intervals after that. Change it at least every 7.5k miles after the initial 600 change and more often if you love your bike.

almost40 · July 7th, 2009, 11:17 AM

It is tueday Kelly must be changing his oil. He hasnt posted on this yet.

almost40 · July 7th, 2009, 11:18 AM

Speak of the devil

bob706 · July 7th, 2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I think kkim changes his every other Tuesday, or every 14 miles, which ever comes first.

Alex · July 7th, 2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

first change at 600miles and at 7.5K intervals after that. Change it at least every 7.5k miles after the initial 600 change and more often if you love your bike.

You are correct!

I thought it was mandated earlier, but the manual does have 7.5k intervals (or 1 year) for oil/filter change. 7500 miles does seem on the long end for the interval on this bike, especially if you're using conventional oil rather than synthetic. I would say that it's unlikely I'll go 7500 miles between each change and will continue to change at the 3k - 4k mark instead.

kkim · July 7th, 2009, 11:29 AM

Yeah, I thought like you, that it was a 4k requirement also, but the PDF sheet is set up sort of funky and it's easy to misread it into seeing it as a 4k change.

I'll use that excuse as to why I change mine so often... I misread the schedule.... every couple of hundred miles

Ramen · July 11th, 2009, 09:58 AM

I plan on doing it every 5,000. Figure it'd be easy to remember to change it at 10,000 miles, 15,000, 20,000, etc.

HKr1 · July 11th, 2009, 02:33 PM

After the first couple for break in, I change it every 2500.

randomwalk101 · July 13th, 2009, 06:22 AM

we have to change oil?

zach · July 14th, 2009, 01:44 PM

I think it's optional..haha. Here's another question. How many miles til you have to replace the whole engine, especially if you choose not to change oil? haha.

July 7th, 2009, 08:55 AM	#1
norm_52 ninjette.org newbie Name: rob Location: canada Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 9	Oil change frequency? hey guys, just wondering how often you guys change your oil? how many km? and how long for filter?

July 7th, 2009, 09:00 AM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	It varies. Some folks here follow the guidelines in the maintenance manual (change oil + filter at 600 miles, change at 4000 miles, change at 7500 miles, etc.) If you change it less frequently than that and run into a problem requiring warranty service, the worry is that Kawi may determine that the bike wasn't being maintained as required. Other folks change their oil more often, especially as the bike is newer and still in its break-in period. I think kkim changes his every other Tuesday, or every 14 miles, which ever comes first. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 7th, 2009, 10:43 AM	#5
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.	Changed my oil 4 times already and Im at 4200 miles.(changed it alot during break-in) Ill change it again this winter. Ill change my oil once a season. or every 3000 miles. __________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

July 7th, 2009, 11:17 AM	#8
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.	It is tueday Kelly must be changing his oil. He hasnt posted on this yet. __________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

July 7th, 2009, 11:18 AM	#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.	Speak of the devil __________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

July 7th, 2009, 09:20 AM	#3
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	I followed the book, first at 600, next at 4,000. Will do next one at 7,500 which should coincide with start of winter. I don't push it that hard, no track days (yet) and haven't seen much junk trapped in the filter element or in the drain pan (a couple granuals in the pan). Not sure off the top of my head if 4,000 service calls for oil change (just remember check brakes, and emissions - cali model). But figure 3k or 4k is about as far as I would want to stretch it.

July 7th, 2009, 11:17 AM	#7
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Actually, Alex, there is no need to change at 4k either. You actually wasted money if you changed it at 4k. first change at 600miles and at 7.5K intervals after that. Change it at least every 7.5k miles after the initial 600 change and more often if you love your bike.

July 7th, 2009, 11:29 AM	#12
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Yeah, I thought like you, that it was a 4k requirement also, but the PDF sheet is set up sort of funky and it's easy to misread it into seeing it as a 4k change. I'll use that excuse as to why I change mine so often... I misread the schedule.... every couple of hundred miles

July 11th, 2009, 09:58 AM	#13
Ramen Frak It Name: Sean Location: SWFL Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 199	I plan on doing it every 5,000. Figure it'd be easy to remember to change it at 10,000 miles, 15,000, 20,000, etc.

July 11th, 2009, 02:33 PM	#14
HKr1 IC2(SW) Name: Kerry Location: Pensacola Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.	After the first couple for break in, I change it every 2500.

July 13th, 2009, 06:22 AM	#15
randomwalk101 self wrencher Name: john Location: houston Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250r and 07 600r Posts: A lot.	we have to change oil?

July 14th, 2009, 01:44 PM	#16
zach ninjette.org member Name: Zach Location: Crestview Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 650R, 2009 250R Posts: 80	I think it's optional..haha. Here's another question. How many miles til you have to replace the whole engine, especially if you choose not to change oil? haha.

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