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

tsdexter said:
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).
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OP do not listen to this individual. He's wasting money and time and giving bad advice.

As some individuals said before. Regularly changing oil matters more than the brands. I use rotella t6 oil (picked up dirt cheap in the US) and oem oil filter. Use whatever meets specs on your bike, make sure you do the maintenance at the specified intervals
 
alhope34 said:
OEM filter and Motul 7100. That's what I use.
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Ditto on the OEM filter and Motul, but I run the 5100 semi-synthetic. 7100 is the full-synthetic if memory serves me correct :s

I've been running Motul for years and can't complain so I have absolutely no reason to test/change brands.
As stated frequency of oil changes is important.

As for buying a used bike, run it till motor oil reaches temp then just drain and do your fresh oil and filter. Bam , done ;)
 
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Oil filter = OEM or compatible. Motomaster of FRAM is fine. Get a new crush washer. Don't reuse it. They are cheap even if you have to buy one.

Oil = Castrol 4 stroke oil for MC's is what I use. It really doesn't matter as long as it is for MC's and it is the correct viscosity. Change oil at suggested interval and just prior to winter storage.

While you are at it install a fuel filter in the carb rail to prevent future carb problems. This bike never came with one from the factory. Get more info on this at ex-500.com.
 
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johnnie_c said:
OP do not listen to this individual. He's wasting money and time and giving bad advice.

As some individuals said before. Regularly changing oil matters more than the brands. I use rotella t6 oil (picked up dirt cheap in the US) and oem oil filter. Use whatever meets specs on your bike, make sure you do the maintenance at the specified intervals
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Is it just the flush that is 'wasting money/bad advice' or something wrong with my other procedure too? It was my first change, so I was just following advice I was given.
 
Until you know your bike enough to experiment I would go with a kawasaki filter and kawasaki dino oil. After the k's to warrant two oil changes on dino oil I would switch to kawasaki synthetic oil for your bike. If after, and only if you decide to give another oil a try you will have a feel as to how your bike should perform. At this point you will know enough to dump the garbage out of your bike before it does real damage costing you money.
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