Oil Change Question

[400exrider26400]

how often do you need to change the oil on the kfx if you ride almost every day ?

[MtnEX]

I can usually tell when it is time to change by the feel of my trans at the shifter...

How often you will need to change will depend on the oil you choose to run.

It took me a couple of tries to find one to last a whole long ride. Then it was every ride pretty much, then every two.

Myself, I do not mind to change oil, but don't want to do it every d@mn ride... and also don't want to pay a d@mn fortune for oil.

After trying many options, I find that I am very satisfied with 15w50 Mobil 1 oil. I've checked the specs and there is almost no difference between this oil and Mobil's motorcycle specific oil.

I buy it by the 5 qt jug when it is on sale... last was $21... and that is enough oil for 4 oil changes.


I tried this oil not because it is Mobil 1, or because it is synthetic, or anything else. I tried it because I was on the path of seeking a more robust oil to stand up to the KFX abuse....

I went 10w40, 5w40(syn), 15w40, then 15w50.

I found that moving up in viscosity equaled longer drain interval. 20w50 would have been next, but I am happy with the 15w50.

Basically I am coming out cheaper running the 15w50 Mobil 1 than I was with anything else. Lasts until the oil is actually dirty looking (several times longer) and works out to only $4.20 per quart when purchased in bulk.

[400exrider26400]

Originally posted by MtnEX
I can usually tell when it is time to change by the feel of my trans at the shifter...

How often you will need to change will depend on the oil you choose to run.

It took me a couple of tries to find one to last a whole long ride. Then it was every ride pretty much, then every two.

Myself, I do not mind to change oil, but don't want to do it every d@mn ride... and also don't want to pay a d@mn fortune for oil.

After trying many options, I find that I am very satisfied with 15w50 Mobil 1 oil. I've checked the specs and there is almost no difference between this oil and Mobil's motorcycle specific oil.

I buy it by the 5 qt jug when it is on sale... last was $21... and that is enough oil for 4 oil changes.


I tried this oil not because it is Mobil 1, or because it is synthetic, or anything else. I tried it because I was on the path of seeking a more robust oil to stand up to the KFX abuse....

I went 10w40, 5w40(syn), 15w40, then 15w50.

I found that moving up in viscosity equaled longer drain interval. 20w50 would have been next, but I am happy with the 15w50.

Basically I am coming out cheaper running the 15w50 Mobil 1 than I was with anything else. Lasts until the oil is actually dirty looking (several times longer) and works out to only $4.20 per quart when purchased in bulk.




so with that kind of oil i could wait every 2 rides to change it ?
and by ride do you mean every 2 tanks ?

[MtnEX]

Nothing else I tried will dream of going that long.

I think what happens is it shears out of grade very fast.... It still looks clean but needs changing.

The 15w50 Mobil 1 will go 2 tanks fine, and it's cheap. I come out cheaper with it than I did with dino Rotella 15w40.... because it runs longer.

[T-Chad24]

Wen mine wasnt blew up, I would change it after a days worth of riding.. If I only rode it for an hour or 2 I would wait till I rode again...

[400exrider26400]

Originally posted by T-Chad24
Wen mine wasnt blew up, I would change it after a days worth of riding.. If I only rode it for an hour or 2 I would wait till I rode again...


why did it blow lol ?

[T-Chad24]

Rev to high... I was goin down the hwy and it locked up and blew rods and all kinds a stuff thru the case!

[400exrider26400]

Originally posted by MtnEX
I can usually tell when it is time to change by the feel of my trans at the shifter...

How often you will need to change will depend on the oil you choose to run.

It took me a couple of tries to find one to last a whole long ride. Then it was every ride pretty much, then every two.

Myself, I do not mind to change oil, but don't want to do it every d@mn ride... and also don't want to pay a d@mn fortune for oil.

After trying many options, I find that I am very satisfied with 15w50 Mobil 1 oil. I've checked the specs and there is almost no difference between this oil and Mobil's motorcycle specific oil.

I buy it by the 5 qt jug when it is on sale... last was $21... and that is enough oil for 4 oil changes.


I tried this oil not because it is Mobil 1, or because it is synthetic, or anything else. I tried it because I was on the path of seeking a more robust oil to stand up to the KFX abuse....

I went 10w40, 5w40(syn), 15w40, then 15w50.

I found that moving up in viscosity equaled longer drain interval. 20w50 would have been next, but I am happy with the 15w50.

Basically I am coming out cheaper running the 15w50 Mobil 1 than I was with anything else. Lasts until the oil is actually dirty looking (several times longer) and works out to only $4.20 per quart when purchased in bulk.




so would running 20w50 be fine ?and would it last longer?

[MtnEX]

Yes, you can try 20w50 in this engine.
It's OK per the chart.

Just exercise care in the winter months if it is cold where you are.

Mobil1 makes a motorcycle 20w50.
Not enough different than the 15w50 to justify the cost.

Amsoil makes and motorcycle 20w50.


If you can get content information from a virgin oil analysis, there are probably several dino car oils and racing oils in 20w50 that could be used as well.


As you can tell, I do not buy into the motorcycle specific oil. If I am curious about using an oil, I just look up an oil analysis on that particular oil and check the levels of additives that are "RUMORED" to cause clutch slippage... and I compare that to content in motorcycle specific oils.

I have not slipped a clutch yet using this method.


I just refuse to pay Kawi or Honda what they want for their sticker on an oil can... because for one they don't make oil... and two you know the contract goes to the lowest bidder... and three there is no way of knowing what is in the stuff or when they change suppliers.

And lastly I could not go a hard day of riding on the stuff without knowing I needed to stop riding and change my oil.