Kawasaki ZX-6

[troyh]

I bought a new Kawasaki Ninja last Monday. I love this bike! I was told to bring it in for first service between 500-750 miles. I am now around 550. They gave me a $50 off on first service. Thinking that must be high if I get $50 OFF.

Does anyone know what they are looking at? I am assuming an oil change. Is it worth taking in or just changing myself. Perhaps changing the oil myself and let them do the rest? Looks pretty straightforward, just have to locate the filter but I think I know where it is on the side.

Oil recommendations for this bike? Manual recommends straight 10-40 I guess. It is the hot time of year here too (several days over 100) and revs high. Want to keep this thing nice.

 

[Trav]

They may need to check the valve adjustment. A little loose is not the issue, tight is.
Valve seat recession is common in high rev bike engines when new and this will cause of tight valves.

Then there is the usual, OC and check the other fluids for leaks, check the forks and chain play. Check axle, brake fasteners etc.
Thats IF they do it right. Very few do, most just hack it, do an OC and filter and throw it out, maybe give it a one eye look over.

 

[QuietPortage]

There should be a maintenance schedule in your owner's manual or in a seperate book. That will tell you what's required for the initial service.

As for oil, you've got plenty of choices. Whatever meets the spec and suits you, really.

From least to most expensive:

Rotella T Triple Protection 15w40
Rotella T6 5w-40
Premium Motorcycle Specific Oils: Mobil 1 4T / Red Line / Amsoil in 10w-40

 

[abycat]

Originally Posted By: Trav
They may need to check the valve adjustment. A little loose is not the issue, tight is.
Valve seat recession is common in high rev bike engines when new and this will cause of tight valves.

Then there is the usual, OC and check the other fluids for leaks, check the forks and chain play. Check axle, brake fasteners etc.
Thats IF they do it right. Very few do, most just hack it, do an OC and filter and throw it out, maybe give it a one eye look over.


Darn you beat me to it.

Definately could be a major service. And could be a very important one.

 

[Mackelroy]

Water cooled street bikes, usually arn't spec'd for valve service in the first 600 miles. Thats normally between 12,000 to 25,000 miles depending on the Brand.

First service normally is just an oil change, checking all bolts and fluids, and steering stem.

 

[FowVay]

If you're a motorcycle veteran and good with a wrench then I'd forego the dealer's 600 mile service. You usually get only a oil change and a pencil whipped check list. Save your money and follow the checklist provided in your owners manual.

Obviously if you're not experienced and don't really know what you're doing then take it in and let the service guys deal with it.

Kawasaki dot com has a excellent resource for looking up part numbers to their product line. You should have been provided with a owner's manual but if not they offer them free for viewing on their web page also.

I personally love Kawasaki's full synthetic 10W-40. My local bike shop charges $8.95 per quart which isn't unreasonable for a specialty lube. I tend to change the oil when the shifting gets notchy (normally around 4 - 5,000 miles) and I check my chain about every 500 miles. I lube it after every extended ride which is at least once a week or every 100 miles.

Did you buy a 2012 model or did you get one of the many leftover previous year models?

 

[troyh]

Originally Posted By: FowVay
If you're a motorcycle veteran and good with a wrench then I'd forego the dealer's 600 mile service. You usually get only a oil change and a pencil whipped check list. Save your money and follow the checklist provided in your owners manual.

Obviously if you're not experienced and don't really know what you're doing then take it in and let the service guys deal with it.

Kawasaki dot com has a excellent resource for looking up part numbers to their product line. You should have been provided with a owner's manual but if not they offer them free for viewing on their web page also.

I personally love Kawasaki's full synthetic 10W-40. My local bike shop charges $8.95 per quart which isn't unreasonable for a specialty lube. I tend to change the oil when the shifting gets notchy (normally around 4 - 5,000 miles) and I check my chain about every 500 miles. I lube it after every extended ride which is at least once a week or every 100 miles.

Did you buy a 2012 model or did you get one of the many leftover previous year models?


It is a 2012. Perhaps I should read the owner's manual. Perhaps that is one of my flaws. Does not matter if it a DVD player, bike, motorbike, gun, or mustang.
I'm just going to call and find out their amount for the service. $50 off they are trying to get me coming back. Maybe I will get a cheap oil change out of it. If it is expensive, then I'll change myself. I did not think there should be much to check for at 600.

 

[FowVay]

I'm certain they charge for several hours of labor. There is a list of items to check in the manual and it's always wise to go over the bike and check all fasteners that you have access to.

I ride a 2012 ZX-14R and I have read of literally a dozen incidents with these bikes where the main fairing attachment fasteners were loosening and falling off. These two fasteners are mounted just below that instrument cluster on the steering neck and are readily accessible so I checked mine. I had no issues with them but I reattached them with a locking agent on the threads just for safe measure.

Enjoy your bike. They're incredible fun!!

 

[troyh]

Originally Posted By: FowVay
I'm certain they charge for several hours of labor. There is a list of items to check in the manual and it's always wise to go over the bike and check all fasteners that you have access to.

I ride a 2012 ZX-14R and I have read of literally a dozen incidents with these bikes where the main fairing attachment fasteners were loosening and falling off. These two fasteners are mounted just below that instrument cluster on the steering neck and are readily accessible so I checked mine. I had no issues with them but I reattached them with a locking agent on the threads just for safe measure.

Enjoy your bike. They're incredible fun!!


Thanks for the advice. I seen one like yours in black. Sweet bike you have. I am new to these (have a Meanstreak cruiser though) and yes so much fun. I never would have thought until I rode one.
This is my getting used to them bike, then move up next year or the year after. Maybe one like yours. I have a friend that has an R1 and another guy we know has a Ducati. Now those are sweeet!

 

[scudpilot]

I have had several Kawasaki and Yamaha sport bikes over the years and have always used Amsoil in the shared sump. If your bike still calls for 10W40 I would pony up for the Amsoil Motorcycle 10W40 and change it once a year and never think about it just ride it! Great oil that can handle whatever you throw at it! Enjoy your new rocket. Nice machine!
As to your original question, I always take my bikes in to the dealer for the first service at 500-1000 miles then do everything myself from there. When the valves need checked find a local wrench and save yourself some $$.
Get yourself one of the manual lifts for the rear end. Makes servicing the chain a breeze!! That bike is bulletproof!

 

[Robenstein]

Well it may be expensive. I know when I got my Triumph Speedmaster I got free labor on the first service, just had to pay for parts and it was still almost 70 bucks. That 10w50 Castrol Full Synthetic is not cheap stuff.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: Mackelroy
Water cooled street bikes, usually arn't spec'd for valve service in the first 600 miles. Thats normally between 12,000 to 25,000 miles depending on the Brand.

First service normally is just an oil change, checking all bolts and fluids, and steering stem.

you sir are correct, op savw you $50.00 coupon for when you need it assuming theres no experation date.

 

[yaris0128]

I had my first service done on my Ninja 205R about a month ago and it cost me $178! I didnt get any coupon but that would have been great to have!

 

[JCM35]

I have a 2011 zx6 and love it. Had not gotten the first service done and am at 1800 miles. My shop when asked said it's important because they sychronize the throttle bodies.

FowVay---any idea who makes kawichem for hawi? Ive noticed they have changed their bottling and have thoughts of using it. Not sure if it's a new formulation or not.

 

[JDos1]

I do all of the servicing on my brother's 2011 ZX6R. Currently it's got Maxima 10w-40 in it only because it came time for service at 5,500 miles before I had a chance to place another Amsoil order. Amsoil 10w-40 is going in it next time with a HiFlo HF303 filter.


Take it to the dealer for the first service...They do more than just an oil change. Worth the couple hundred bucks for the peace of mind that your new $10k+ bike is breaking in nicely.

 

[FowVay]

JCM35, Kawsaki introduced a completely new line of lubricants last year (2011) with a new supplier. That supplier is Citgo according to the MSDS for both their 4-stroke oils and their 2-stroke oils. Their coolant is still produced by Gold Eagle.

 

[JCM35]

Thanks for the KawiChem info. I noticed the new bottles and it seems they are pushinh the oils more at dealers. I'll try it out.