Motorcycle oil change?

Question

I have a brand new Kawasaki Ninja 250 08'. It's time for an oil change, but I was just wondering what the price would be if I were to go to a shop and the price of doing it myself (like what the price of the oil will be). Can someone help?

Answer 1

The first service should be done by dealer, so they will check everything on the bike, for second and so on, just do by your self, very easy, manual should have instruction. Good luck.  Ride safe.

Answer 2

I am not sure on exact prices, but i could see the dealer having a  somewhat high price for an oil change.  if you think about it, they are still going to put in the same oil you would, so you need to pay to cover that cost, plus the cost of labor for someone to do the job.  i know the new '08s have a completely different design than the previous ones, so im not sure exactly how to change the oil on one, but it (hopefully) shouldnt be too hard.  i would say if you have the time, you should buy the oil and do it yourself. you will probably save some money, plus be you will learn about your bike and know how to do it in the future. but sometimes, if you are busy, its hard to find some extra time for something like that.  you should have the owners manual for your bike, it will tell you what type of oil exactly to put in the bike. good luck

Answer 3

I don't know if shops will even do oil changes on bikes.  If so, they would charge you $10 or so just to do it, plus the cost of the oil.

Your Ninja probably takes 2 quarts of oil and a filter.  Look in the manual and it will tell  you. You can buy special motorcycle oil for like $4-$5 per quart, or you can use car oil which costs about half that.  Some people swear you need special motorcycle oil, but I use car oil and I just went past 70,000 mi. on my Honda and it works just fine. The filter might be anywhere from $5 to $10, and you need to get that at the dealer, or mail order.

Changing the oil is not hard at all, but it's a little messy.  You have to warm the bike up so the oil is 'loose', then drain out the oil, pull out the filter, replace the filter and the oil drain plug, then fill with the correct amount of new oil.  Its about a 15 minute job.  We have curbside recycling and they take old oil.  Or you can take it to any gas station or place where they change oil and they will recycle it for you.

Answer 4

would probably cost you 60 dollars or more to have someone do it for you.... to do it yourself would be 20, if that.....

and it's 1.9 liters (2 quarts) of 10w30

why even pay anyone to do it for you, especially on a bike?

all you do is drop the skid plate (if you have one) remove the drain bolt, replace the filter (or if you have a screen type filter, clean it out) put the drain bolt back in and then put in a funnel and fill... you really wanna pay someone ANYTHING (much less 40-100 bucks) just to do that?

mechanics make good money becuase people often let themselves be over intimidated by cars.

Answer 5

Buy the mfg. service/shop manual. This alone will put you on the right road that avoids the trouble you get when blindly trusting your bike to others. Most people with bikes do the work themselves or allow it to be done by those who have worked to earn trust. BTW, it's therapeutic.

Answer 6

It cost me about $18 for a gallon of Rotella synthetic and bout $7 for a Pure One filter. So, about $30 with tax.

(Oil will run anywhere from five to twelve bucks a quart.)

You should be doing this yourself, anyhow.

Answer 7

My dealer (Kawasaki) charges $29.95 for an oil change.

Answer 8

Last oil change I did my self cost me $11 and 30 minutes of time.

4 quarts and filter - $11, quality time wrenching on your bike - priceless!

Answer 9

I have a Goldwing...I just started using AMSOIL...Great stuff.  It will give you 5000 miles between oil changes and has added mileage to my tank!!  BONUS!  

Most places will charge you 50-60 bucks for the labor PLUS cost of oil and filter.  I would think you should let your dealership do your first...also have them "check things out..." ya know?  After the initial change you could do it your self and save the money.

Welcome to the bike club....it is the best thing going!!  Good luck and ride SAFE!!