Oil Changing Procedure

[Tom Ludolff]

Before changing oil in a KDX, can you just warm it up in neutral to mix up the oil or do you have to ride it??? In other words, while idling in neutral does anything in the transmission move enough to stir up the oil to suspend the dirt particles??? The reason I ask is because I live in town and have nowhere to take a short ride before changing oil. The only thing I could do is put it on a stand and let the wheel spin in gear.

 

[Tom H]

If you change your oil often enough, I don't think it is necessary to run your bike prior to changing the oil. I never make a special point of doing that. It really means that you just take a bit longer to completely drain the colder oil. Once I change my oil, it seems to stay pretty clean, which indicates to me this works OK.
To answer your question though, the clutch and transmission's primary shaft do spin with the bike in nuetral (as long as the clutch is not pulled). The only thing that doesn't spin is the counter shaft. So your oil gets pretty well agitated while running in neutral.

 

[CaptainObvious]

Why not drain the oil at the end of your ride. This way it will be nice and warm and it will carry all of the contaminates. Hot oil take about 1 minute to drain. Cold oil takes forever and a day and leaves a lot of oil on the gears, clutch and case.

 

[MX175]

RV6junkie has the right idea. Please, don't even think about leaving the oil on the ground somewhere. Catch it and dispose of it properly.

 

[Jackpiner57]

I think if you warm up the engine sitting still, that's OK.

I like to rock the bike from one side to the other to get as much of the oil out as possible.

You can get a plastic drain container from the auto parts store. They have a capped porning spout and a capped drain hole and are totally oil tight. Just dispose of the oil into the 55 gal. drum at the service station or collection facility.

 

[John Harris]

Running it in gear on a stand is a bad and dangerous idea. Just don't do it if you like yourself, surroundings and motorcycle. Follow some of the other suggestions.

 

[BRush]

Originally posted by Tom Ludolff
The reason I ask is because I live in town and have nowhere to take a short ride before changing oil

I'm in the same position. I never run my bike before changing oil. It is always stone cold. The only difference is that a little more oil gets left inside. If you change your oil often, then a small leftover amount won't be a problem because it won't be that dirty and there won't be enough of it to matter.

 

[Tom Ludolff]

Thanks for the great replies guys!!! I realize the best time to change oil is immediately after a good ride. It just usually is not convenient since I'm always at someone else's place at the end of a ride. Anyway, at least it will help to warm it up a bit in neutral before draining it. Thanks Again!!!

Tom L.

 

[CaptainObvious]

Get one of the oil containers that also doubles as a drain funnel. They hold about 12 quarts of oil. This way you can drain at your buds house after a ride and take the oil with you.

 

[canyncarvr]

After you drain your (stone cold un-warmed-up) oil safely in your garage into a proper container, use 150ml or so of your new quart to flush out the case before you put the plug back in.

Then dump the remainder (around 800ml) in the case.

p.s. I've never bothered to warm up my bike when changing the oil. I change it often (maybe 3-4 rides). I'd never drain it after a ride. Sure as shootin', I'd at some point forget about it..fire up my bike at home for a quick trip around the back 40!

oops!:(