I'm a noob, need some help. : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

Xution · 05-01-2009, 03:45 PM

I just bought a 2000 Ninja 250, it was 12xxx miles on it. Just wondering what type of oil to use? and oil filter? (This is my first bike and I wanted to learn how to ride)

Thanks for reading/helping.

bluedevil10r · 05-01-2009, 03:55 PM

You'll get 100 different opions on this with a AMSoil guy trying to get you to buy 70 dollars worth of crap.
Oil go to Walmart, and buy Shell Rotella full synthetic 5W-40 in the blue bottle/jug.
Stop by the dealer and get a filter, or get the numbers cross referenced for a Purolator filter.

Xution · 05-01-2009, 04:00 PM

Thanks for the help, appreciate it.

**Shifty1** · 05-01-2009, 08:07 PM

I use Specto oil and K&N filters. Always have, always will.

villian88 · 05-01-2009, 11:35 PM

You get what you pay for, I'll pretty much leave it at that. If you want a good opinion, call a bike shop, and ask for the oldest tech there, or go find a guy working there with a mustache. More than likely they'll do the right thing, and tell you to use any type of 10w40 or 20w50 MOTORCYCLE oil. (Yes, there is a difference)

If you want my advice answer these questions:
1. How hot does it get ouside where you live, and how hot is your limit for when you will ride?

2. How long do you plan on having the bike?

Morgan · 05-02-2009, 12:57 PM

In a liquid cooled engine, 20-50 is unnecessarily heavy. You can "like" the 50 weight all you want for the "hot riding" but your liquid cooling system won't let you get so hot that the 50 is realized. However, the extra pressure needed at startup of the 20 weigh could easily make a long term engine life difference.

It's not a big deal in a Harley engine, or really any of the clunky air cooled engines, they're not manufactured to high tolerances anyway.

villian88 · 05-02-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan

In a liquid cooled engine, 20-50 is unnecessarily heavy. You can "like" the 50 weight all you want for the "hot riding" but your liquid cooling system won't let you get so hot that the 50 is realized. However, the extra pressure needed at startup of the 20 weigh could easily make a long term engine life difference.

It's not a big deal in a Harley engine, or really any of the clunky air cooled engines, they're not manufactured to high tolerances anyway.

So Kawasaki is wrong for stating that you should use 20w50 in any ambient (outdoor) temp exceeding 100*F (and ONLY 10w40 for <100* riding)...in every owners manual, service manual, and shop manual sold for the last 2 decades in every sportbike ranging from the spirited 400's to the beastly 14's?