Anyone changed oil on '05 ZX6R?

[luvda6R]

(sorry if this has been posted...I search and didn't find anything)

Has anyone changed the oil on a 6R? I've never change the oil on a bike before and was wondering how hard it is - my bike has 150 miles on it and I've heard it's good to change the oil early on, as that's when it will have the most debris in it from the new engine. I looked in the manual and they describe where the related components are, but they don't describe step-by-step how to do it. Is this something I can easily do myself, or should I bring it to a shop? Is it a matter of finding the and removing the plug, draining the oil, replacing the plug and filling with the correct oil to the correct level? Do I need to take the left ferring off in order to access the plug...it looked like I did but wasn't sure? I was planning on using type of oil recommended in the manual, though it's about 15 acronyms that I'm not familiar with (API SE, SF or SG / API SH or SJ with JASO MA....the part I did recognize is 10W-40). Figured I'd just go to the store and look on the bottles and find something that fit that description (wasn't planning on using a "break-in" oil). Last but not least, does anyone know where you usually get rid of the oil? Should the town have a place you can get rid of it?

Any comments appreciated - Thanks.

[pitbull76]

I would think your first oil change is just a bit higher in the mileage. When it's time, you will probably want to change the oil and the filter. A service manual would help you, but with most bikes the drain plug is on the bottom of the motor and the filter is in front. You will probably need to remove some of your fairings to access the oil filter. As for oil, since your bike is under warranty, I would make sure you buy a JASO MA oil. Any of the MC manufacturers branded oil should work, or look for other oils specifically designed for motorcycles. Once the warranty is up, I'd switch to Shell Rotella 15W40 or Rotella synthetic 5W40. I would wait for the warranty to be over first because to the best of my knowledge they aren't JASO certified.

[luvda6R]

Originally Posted by pitbull76

I would think your first oil change is just a bit higher in the mileage. When it's time, you will probably want to change the oil and the filter.

Pitbull, so would you say I'm ok to the suggested 500 miles? The only reason I was thinking now is that I've heard a lot of people suggest changing it at 50, 100, or 150 (various suggestions far under the 500) to clean out metal bits from the newly machined engine (maybe other reasons). But if the concensus is that that's not a big deal, I'd probably go back to the dealer at 500 to get the oil/filter change. Thanks for the info concerning the oil type related to the warranty also.

[pitbull76]

I'm no mechanical expert, but the way I figure it the manufacturer came up with their maintenance schedule for a reason, so I tend to follow it. 500 miles really isn't that much, and they build these things to pretty fine tolerances anyway.

[luvda6R]

cool, maybe it's just being extra precautionary

[BlueDemon]

Changing the oil is easy. Changing the oil and filter just requires you to remove the lower fairing. Buy the service manual. I got one for less than $10 on ebay. I changed my oil at 160mi. Will do it again somewhere between 600 and 1000mi, and one last time at winter prep. I put new filters on with every oil change, only $10 at dealership. Small price to pay for your investment, imo.

[xXMaGNuSXx]

it doesn't hurt if you change it early on. you'd have to take the left fairing off to get access to the drain plug and oil filter. i plan on changing mine this weekend.