2024 Kawasaki 1000SX - What oil and filter?

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Hello, all!

I apologize in advance if this is covered already somewhere - I did a search, but didn't see an answer.

I would like recommendations for oil and filter on a 2024 Ninja 1000SX. I am not looking for the "cheapest" option; rather, the "best" option that doesn't waste money.

For example, I run SuperTech synthetic in my car, because BITOG has made a strong argument, via VOAs and other data, that any quality synthetic is going to have near-identical protection.

I would appreciate any thoughts/data on the motorcycle side of things - do I need to buy Kawasaki branded oil and filter? Can I use a car filter? Etc, etc.

Thank you!
 
With a $14k bike, I'd run bike oil. I'm not familiar with what weight you need, but most any decent motorcycle synthetic should be fine.
 
I'd use the Kawasaki OEM oil filter. It's a bit tricky to find an automotive oil filter that will work well on a motorcycle.

For oil, you could use the Kawasaki motor oil, or use a good brand JASO rated motorcycle oil like Castrol, Valvoline, etc.
 
I'm no oil buff, but the Castrol Power1 4T sure does good in my BMW F750 GS. Quite a different bike though!
I've used the Castrol Power1 4T in my Yamaha XSR900. Seemed to work fine. Next up is some Valvoline full synthetic motorcycle oil. I've also used the Valvoline non-synthetic in many bikes and it also works well.
 
its a shared sump with wet clutches, id run bike oil.

What's the redline? 10-11,000?

Car oil is not what you want. Kawasaki oil is probably not the best choice. Were it mine and it met the viscosity requirements i would probably run Mobil1 Racing 4t.

Have you crossed the filter to standard offerings? The Kawi filter may or may not be anything special.
 
Does Kawasaki still recommend 10W40 grade oil for their engines?
Essentially, yes.

They have a chart for temperature extremes, but the 10w-40 weight is the "standard".

The owner's manual specifies an oil meeting API SL-SM (or something very close to those; don't have the exact tier info on hand at the moment) and meeting MA, MA1, or MA2.

That said, Kawasaki also recommends that I bring the bike to a dealership to check the tire pressure or polish the paint, and to be sure to use the official Kawasaki tire gauge and paint wax when the work is done... (A bit of hyperbole, but not by much.)
 
its a shared sump with wet clutches, id run bike oil.

What's the redline? 10-11,000?

Car oil is not what you want. Kawasaki oil is probably not the best choice. Were it mine and it met the viscosity requirements i would probably run Mobil1 Racing 4t.

Have you crossed the filter to standard offerings? The Kawi filter may or may not be anything special.
Thanks for the reply!

The "standard" viscosity is 10w-40, with a chart showing up to 15w-50 in extreme temperature areas.

As far as cross-references for motorcycle to car oil filters, I don't know what resources to use. I have seen some people say the standard 6607 filter works "on anything Japanese", but I don't know if that's "good enough" works, or "this **** is exactly the same thing" works...
 
You can't go wrong with Mobil 1 10W-40 Racing 4T. Good stuff and easily available.
I currently have Valvoline Syn 4T 10W-40 in the sump of my Honda ST1300. I've also run Castrol ActEvo, Valvoline Non synthetic 4T, and Honda GN4. All have had good shifting and no noises.

I've been running automotive filters on my bikes for years. My Hondas take the same filter as my Honda CR-V. The car filter is a little longer than the motorcycle filter, but it fits just fine. 55,000 miles without problems so far.
 
When I had my '16 Voyager, I ran Kawi's oil filter with 10w40 Castrol MC oil. I don't think buying kawi's oil filter is going to cost that much more than what you would pay at a auto parts place. I'm guessing they recommended that wt oil because the engine is water cooled. The manual said that wt has proven to work best for most occasions. But did say you could go heavier if the temps were extreme. That was a big heavy street bike that would cruise 85 all day long with no issues. It did have the Ivans tune installed, that smooths out overall operation, and made the cooling fan come on sooner, then what the factory had it set for. Something you might want to explore. So according to the onboard temp gauge it never ran more than a needles worth past the halfway mark. Are you planning to race the bike at the track, or just hammer on it on the street?. Once it's broken in, I don't think there's what you would call "Bad oil" out there. There' has to be a Kawi sport bike site out there, I would go looking to see whats seems to be popular and work good for those guys.,,
 
Hello, all!
For example, I run SuperTech synthetic in my car, because BITOG has made a strong argument, via VOAs and other data, that any quality synthetic is going to have near-identical protection.

Hiya...

Not only BITOG has made strong argument, via VOAs and other data, that any quality synthetic is going to have near-identical protection. Blackstone's 35 years worth of racing and street motorcycle oil analysis shows no significant differences in WEAR between the grades
or brands... Technically speaking either an Auto oil or Motorcycle oil will meet and exceed your mileage expectations... See VOA...

My customer Marv... aka Mr.Kawasaki employs either Motul 300V 5w30 or Mobil 1 5w30 Auto in his 94 ZX7R homologated race bike...

MarvZX7Rsexy.webp

ScottRussellMarv2.webp

Note how similar the additives are when comparing Kawasaki
motorcycle oil with Mobil 1 Auto...

KawiMotulMobil.webp
 
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Hiya...

Not only BITOG has made strong argument, via VOAs and other data, that any quality synthetic is going to have near-identical protection. Blackstone's 35 years worth of racing and street motorcycle oil analysis shows no significant differences in WEAR between the grades
or brands... Technically speaking either an Auto oil or Motorcycle oil will meet and exceed your mileage expectations... See VOA...

My customer Marv... aka Mr.Kawasaki employs either Motul 300V 5w30 or Mobil 1 5w30 Auto in his 94 ZX7R homologated race bike...

View attachment 254672
View attachment 254673
Note how similar the additives are when comparing Kawasaki
motorcycle oil with Mobil 1 Auto...

View attachment 254674
Who is Marv, what is his expertise, does he do what he's told with respect to oil and pictures qualify him as someone to follow on oil advice that you gave him? Apparently there are TWO guys now that run 10w30 in their homologated sport bikes. How has that extra horsepower worked out on the track and dyno? Any podiums or wins at a "Dealer Dyno Day?

WHY post the "additive package may not be current", do some research with your time. The only 10w40 auto oil offered by Mobil is their High Mileage formula. With 875 ppm zinc and 800 ppm phos.

Second post in the last few days in different threads the same nonexistent 10w40 version of Mobil 1 auto oil is proudly posted.

$20 for a quart of Kawasaki Synthetic??? Check online because you would be spending WAY too much.

There's no way I could post incorrect information as the chart shows in good conscience or with a feeling of due diligence. Are you able to share updated info, edit your post, or give more explanation of how this is relevant?

However, irrespective of incorrect and outdated information, Mobil 1 10w40 4T or 20w50 V Twin are both proven. I've posted recent and legitimate analysis, not cut-and-paste information that can't find its way out of a wet paper bag upon fact checking. More that a few on this forum would love to see a swing at this and show how everybody but you is wrong with respect to copious amounts of mis/wrong information. It's your dime, swing away.
 
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Lol, I added to my post, about the pics and a few other things while you were posting the above.

It's just so predictable.

No relevant data. But here come the pics of former notable racers or tuners, (or other super fans with old sportbikes that the respective factories based their then-factory Superbikes on) to somehow add credence to the misinformation. Pics taken at racing events or facilities, usually at Laguna Seca, where BLS is a super fan, and gets them to pose for a pic. As they often do for many fans...
 
WHY post the "additive package may not be current", do some research with your time. The only 10w40 auto oil offered by Mobil is their High Mileage formula. With 875 ppm zinc and 800 ppm phos.

Second post in the last few days in different threads the same nonexistent 10w40 version of Mobil 1 auto oil is proudly posted.

BLS = copy pasta
He's got literally three posts that he repeats over and over. I just can't figure out why.
 
If you've been a regular participant here for any number of recent years, you've seen some of the back-and-forth others of us in this thread have had calling out miss information and miss representation. It's been going on as long as I've been here. There's not been an original thought from that computer in years, but enough new folks come along that if it's not fact checked and called out it's gonna lead somebody the wrong direction.

Rarely defends with logic and reason anything that is called out. Usually there's a deflection or what about ism, and a picture of pit girls taken decades ago.
 
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