[bseos]

How does one calculate the frequency interval for higher odometer readings going off the owner manual's Periodic Maintenance Chart below?

I find the "normal" recommended change intervals extremely high for a 2.2L oil capacity engine, especially since my other ride, a 2002 Suzuki SV650S gen1, has the same recommended oil change intervals but is nowhere close to constantly running in high rpms and has a larger ~3.0L oil capacity.

First oil change	@	600 miles | 1,000 kms
Second oil change	@	7,600 miles | 12,200 kms
Third oil change	@	15,200 miles | 24,400 kms
Consecutive oil changes	@	Every 7,600 miles | 12,200 kms	or	Every 1 year

I ride the ninja 300 as a daily (currently clocked up 67,000 kms) and due to its small engine capacity, it's ridden to its limits (high rev range) on and off the freeway.
I've had a couple mechanics recommend I be changing the oil every 4,000 kms due to my riding style.

So back to my initial question, how does one calculate the frequency interval for higher odometer readings going off the owner manual's Periodic Maintenance Chart? I couldn't really make sense of it.

And those of you who do ride the ninja 300 as a daily, what intervals do you change at? And have you needed to top up on oil before an oil change before that? (I changed every 5,000 kms with minimal top up required before change)

 

[bseos]

never mind, I though *B was calculating for *C instead.
Silly me.

 

[Topaz]

What your mech said. If you keep it high revs, then change it somewhat earlier than 7k miles. In US the manual says 6k miles. So around 5k miles should be fine.
Also very important to check the level often. If you commute daily, I'd do it weekly at least. Some people claim that highway riding at high revs burns oil, and the bike won't forgive you riding high revs with low oil.

Do you have stock gearing?

 

[SparkyMJ]

+1 Checking. I check almost every ride, never hurts and takes 10 seconds.

I actually change my 300 oil around every 3000 miles. Sometimes a bit over if I just did a bunch of freeway cruising, but usually the mix of commutes, joy rides, track days and the like, it's better off to just change it frequently.

My 300 has about 56,000 miles, so I would rather do slightly shorter oil change intervals as well. Helps keep things running smooth and happy anyway.

-Mike

 

[jkv45]

How long is your daily commute?

What oil are you running?

 

[bseos]

How long is your daily commute?

What oil are you running?

Minimum 60 to 90 kilometres per day, from an hour to hour an a half round trips.

Been running this oil for the majority of its life. Might be overkill, but engine has been running as smooth as when I bought it.
MC-4ST 10W-40 (100% PAO & ESTER) | Penrite Oil

However my mechanic isnt a Penrite fan as he works mostly on 2 strokes and they run like shit on Penrite. He cant recommend me Motul enough, due to the amount of money they drop in research and development apparently.
May give full syth Motul a go next oil change on my other bike. But I did notice smoother gear changing with full syth on the ninja and my mates Hyosung which used to run rough as old balls and had such a clunky gearbox.

 

[bseos]

What your mech said. If you keep it high revs, then change it somewhat earlier than 7k miles. In US the manual says 6k miles. So around 5k miles should be fine.
Also very important to check the level often. If you commute daily, I'd do it weekly at least. Some people claim that highway riding at high revs burns oil, and the bike won't forgive you riding high revs with low oil.

Do you have stock gearing?

Current sprocket: 14/43 Previous: 14/44

 

[Topaz]

Current sprocket: 14/43 Previous: 14/44

I think stock is is 14/42, so you're +1 on the rear. If you still have the stock 42, try 15/42 to see if you can commute in lower revs.

 

[jkv45]

Minimum 60 to 90 kilometres per day, from an hour to hour an a half round trips.

Been running this oil for the majority of its life. Might be overkill, but engine has been running as smooth as when I bought it.
MC-4ST 10W-40 (100% PAO & ESTER) | Penrite Oil
View attachment 116300
However my mechanic isnt a Penrite fan as he works mostly on 2 strokes and they run like shit on Penrite. He cant recommend me Motul enough, due to the amount of money they drop in research and development apparently.
May give full syth Motul a go next oil change on my other bike. But I did notice smoother gear changing with full syth on the ninja and my mates Hyosung which used to run rough as old balls and had such a clunky gearbox.

That should be good oil. I'm not familiar with it, but Ester is the top of the line.

With the distances you normally travel, the oil should be getting hot enough to burn off contaminants - which is good.

Using that quality of oil, and going a decent distance, frequent oil changes shouldn't be required.

If your ride involves a lot of hwy, I may consider going up 1 tooth on the countershaft sprocket. That will soften acceleration a bit, but drop your cruise RPMs about 500. Would work best if you are a lighter/smaller person and don't use all of your acceleration capability frequently. I did it on my SV650, and it smoothed-out the cruise quite a bit. With the torque the SV has, I didn't notice any significant reduction in acceleration. May not be the same for the 300 though.

I wouldn't push to the recommended 12,000 km, and 4,000 km is on the other end, so I would say something in the range of 6,000 to 7,000 km may be an appropriate oil change interval for you.

 

[bseos]

I think stock is is 14/42, so you're +1 on the rear. If you still have the stock 42, try 15/42 to see if you can commute in lower revs.

Yes totally agree but I do like that acceleration 🙂

 

[Topaz]

What bikes were the other guys riding?

 

[bseos]

What bikes were the other guys riding?

Mate was recording on a Yamaha XJ6, other rider was on a Yamaha DT200.