Ninja 500R... first time oil change. Help a newbie pick the right brands?

Crom

Crom

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My question is not about the procedure, but the materials. I had no idea there was such a 'conspiracy' when it came to crappy quality oil filters. I have read pages and pages of info on oil filters for bikes, and it seems like unless you use Mobil1 or Purolator PureOne filters you are getting a sub par filter.

I am in Niagara, and I can't find anything except for Wix, Fram, and OEM Kawi filters, of which the first two get horrible reviews. So what's the general consensus here as far as a good quality filter? I can't find much on the Kawi brand filter. Any good? Is the disk inside made of cardboard just like the Fram? Maybe Royal Distributing will have a better selection when I go to buy my jacket and gloves.


For oil, I think I am going to go with either Bel Ray EXP, or Motul Blend for about $10 per litre. Any criticisms or suggestions?


Thanks!
 
I use fram oil filters and motomaster oil from Canadian Tire for all my oil changes. 120,000 km later the engine still works.
 
Amsoil. The best part is that there is never a shortage of independant dealers (read guy with a garage full) willing to cut you a deal.
 
The frequency of your oil changes, matters more than the brands used. That said, I usually grab a Fram from Canadian tire, and Mobil 1 oil.
 
Crom said:
My question is not about the procedure, but the materials. I had no idea there was such a 'conspiracy' when it came to crappy quality oil filters. I have read pages and pages of info on oil filters for bikes, and it seems like unless you use Mobil1 or Purolator PureOne filters you are getting a sub par filter.

I am in Niagara, and I can't find anything except for Wix, Fram, and OEM Kawi filters, of which the first two get horrible reviews. So what's the general consensus here as far as a good quality filter? I can't find much on the Kawi brand filter. Any good? Is the disk inside made of cardboard just like the Fram? Maybe Royal Distributing will have a better selection when I go to buy my jacket and gloves.


For oil, I think I am going to go with either Bel Ray EXP, or Motul Blend for about $10 per litre. Any criticisms or suggestions?


Thanks!
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I've been reading ALOT on Ninjette ( a ninja 250 forum - but I'm sure it'd be similar for your 500) and the general consensus seemed to be K&N 401 filter (or Wix) and Shell Rotella T6 Full synthetic 5w40 oil. They swear by the Rotella T6. You can get the filter at Napa if you have one nearby, Napa Gold is same as a Wix. I ended up going with KN401 ($10 at Royal dist.)/T6 oil(37$ for 5L at walmart).

If you don't know how the old owner treated it/maintained it (or just want to go above and beyond) I would also pick up some really cheap oil, to do a flush. (Drain the used oil, put in the cheap oil, ride hard for 20 mins, drain again, change filter, put in the new oil).
 
matthew said:
Cheap oil to do a flush?

Is everyone made of money all of a sudden?
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No. But I fully expected to have to shell out larger expenses during the first month or so of ownership.. It was my first oil change since buying and I have no idea if the previous owner ever changed the oil once (although he claimed every 5000km)

Not to mention, the 'cheap' oil was only $8 at walmart for 2L. I'll have 2 less drinks next time I go out and I've got my 8 bucks back. :thumbup:
 
Wasted said:
Amsoil. The best part is that there is never a shortage of independant dealers (read guy with a garage full) willing to cut you a deal.
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I would like to know where this guy with a garage full of Amsoil is. I would like some. Canadian Tire has it for $20 a quart, kinda expensive.
 
Crom said:
My question is
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What year is your bike? K&N lists different part numbers for different years!

2007+ = KN 303, Height: 3.344 in, Outside Diameter: 2.688 in, M20x1.5
2003-2005 = KN 204, Height: 2.969 in, Outside Diameter: 2.656 in, M20x1.5
1997-2002 = KN 303, KN 303, Height: 3.344 in, Outside Diameter: 2.688 in, M20x1.5

For 2007+ or 1997-2002 EX500R the Amsoil equivalent in their new nano synthetic media filter is Ea15K13 (MSRP $17.00) . For 2003-2005 EX500R it would be EaOM103 (MSRP $18.40).

For their best full synthetic oil use their MCF1G-EA oil, MSRP is $48.60 for 3.78L jug.

To find the closest amsoil reseller use this link and punch in your postal code: http://www.amsoil.com/locator/index.aspx

To purchase products at wholesale prices directly from Amsoil you can sign up as a dealer for $10 for 6 months.

-Jamie M.
 
I know a guy in Burlington but I don't have his # with me. I'll pm it to you later.
 
tsdexter said:
PS. I'm glad I did the flush in my case, after 20 minutes of riding the flush oil was a good dark brown already.
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What that means is the oil is doing what it is supposed to do.
"Flushing" the engine like that does nothing but burn money.

Rotella 5/40 is NOT spec for tht bike... actually is not spec for any bike.

10w40 or 20w50 SAE SJ. If you don't know what that means you have no business changing oil.
For a filter get one for a Mazda MX6, lots of choice of brands over in the car section... same filter.
Purolator PL14459
Mobil-1 M1-104
AMSOil SMF 102
Baldwin B227
Fram PH6010A
Hastings LF402
NAPA 1334
Purolator L14459
WIX 51334
 
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bitzz said:
What that means is the oil is doing what it is supposed to do.
"Flushing" the engine like that does nothing but burn money.

Rotella 5/40 is NOT spec for tht bike... actually is not spec for any bike.
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So when the oil turns black it's not due to mixing with particles/debris in the engine? If flushing removes any extra build up/debris than its not burning money in my mind. Especially when for all I know it was the first oil change after 17,000km.

I'm aware it's not spec, but a legion of Ninja owners swear by it which is good enough for me.
 
My EX500 did fine on Rotella T6. I used OEM filters, make sure you use a new crush washer each time you change the oil. It's all super easy on the EX. Don't over torque the drain bolt after or you'll have a bad day.
 
Thanks everyone.

The crush washer being the washer for the drain bolt right? Would this be a dealer specific part?

They quoted me $14 for an OEM filter. Is that way overpriced? I can't find any prices for OEM Kawi filters online in Canada.
 
Crom said:
Thanks everyone.

The crush washer being the washer for the drain bolt right? Would this be a dealer specific part?

They quoted me $14 for an OEM filter. Is that way overpriced? I can't find any prices for OEM Kawi filters online in Canada.
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The crush washer is the one on the drain bolt. If you buy an OEM at the dealer they usually just give you the crush washer for free. They are a few cents anyway.
 
Crom said:
Thanks everyone.

The crush washer being the washer for the drain bolt right? Would this be a dealer specific part?

They quoted me $14 for an OEM filter. Is that way overpriced? I can't find any prices for OEM Kawi filters online in Canada.
Click to expand...

$16 at my dealer for a Kawi 250 OEM. $10 for K&N
 
If Kawasaki says it's good enough for Kawasaki bikes then it is probably good enough for Kawasaki bikes. I'd just get it. I pay about the same for my OEM Yami filters.
 
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