2024-2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500 Maintenance Schedule, Oil Capacity & Service Parts
The 2024, 2025 and 2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500 share the same core maintenance answer: Kawasaki specifies SAE 10W-40 motorcycle oil meeting API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM and JASO MA, MA1 or MA2. The documented refill is 2.0 L with the filter removed, 1.6 L without filter removal, and total capacity is 2.3 L. Replace engine oil and the oil filter every 12,000 km (7,600 miles) or 12 months, whichever comes first.
Use this guide for U.S.-market Ninja 500 models covered by Kawasaki manuals 99803-0445 (2024), 99814-0067 (2025) and 99814-0131 (2026). Confirm the model code and market on your motorcycle before ordering or servicing it.
Quick service data
| Item | Verified specification |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | SAE 10W-40; API SG/SH/SJ/SL/SM; JASO MA/MA1/MA2 |
| Oil refill with filter removed | 2.0 L (2.1 US qt) |
| Oil refill without filter removal | 1.6 L (1.7 US qt) |
| Total oil capacity | 2.3 L (2.4 US qt) |
| Drain bolt torque | 30 N·m (22 ft-lb) |
| Oil-filter torque | 17.5 N·m (13 ft-lb) |
| Oil and filter interval | 12,000 km / 7,600 mi or 1 year, whichever comes first |
Choose the correct year-specific oil-change kit
- 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500 oil-change kit
- 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 500 oil-change kit
- 2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500 oil-change kit
Each kit offers Motul 7100 10W-40 for normal street service or Motul 300V Road Racing 10W-40 for track/performance use, plus a choice of Hiflofiltro HF303 or HF303RC. Hiflofiltro's current application catalog explicitly lists both filters for the relevant 2024-2026 Ninja 500 applications.
Important fill warning: the kit contains a 4 L oil bottle, but the documented filter-change refill is 2.0 L. Do not pour in the full bottle. Refill by the manual, run the engine as directed, check for leaks, and set the final level using the sight glass with the motorcycle upright.
7100 or 300V: which should you choose?
- Choose Motul 7100 10W-40 for road riding and the factory maintenance schedule. It is the default recommendation here.
- Choose Motul 300V Road Racing 10W-40 for track or performance-focused use when you accept shorter, use-based oil intervals. It does not extend Kawasaki's interval.
- Choose HF303 for the standard service filter.
- Choose HF303RC when you specifically want Hiflofiltro's racing filter construction and its application is confirmed for your exact model.
Maintenance schedule highlights
- Drive chain: inspect slack every 1,000 km (600 mi) and lubricate every 600 km (400 mi), and sooner after rain, washing or demanding use.
- Brake fluid: replace every 2 years. Replace brake hoses and master-cylinder/caliper rubber parts every 4 years.
- Coolant, water hoses and O-rings: replace every 3 years under the manual schedule.
- Air filter: Kawasaki's schedule calls for replacement at the listed distance/time points and earlier in severe conditions. Hiflofiltro lists HFA2406 for these model-year applications, but this guide does not force a P4M link because an exact live commercial record did not pass the current audit.
Normal use versus severe use
The published interval is the ceiling, not a promise that every bike should run that long. Kawasaki directs earlier service for dusty, wet or muddy riding, sustained high speed and frequent start-stop use. Track riding, repeated high-temperature operation and short-trip contamination are practical reasons to shorten oil, filter, chain and inspection intervals.
Primary sources
- Kawasaki 2024 U.S. owner manual 99803-0445
- Kawasaki 2025 U.S. owner manual 99814-0067
- Kawasaki 2026 U.S. owner manual 99814-0131
- Hiflofiltro HF303 applications and HF303RC applications
- Hiflofiltro HFA2406 air-filter applications
This guide summarizes verified U.S.-market owner-manual information and does not replace the manual or professional service. Specifications can vary by market and model code.