Kawasaki Motorcycle Maintenance Schedule

Kawasaki motorcycles are iconic bikes known for their stylish looks, customizability, user-friendly controls, high-tech features, and ergo-fit configurations, and touring capabilities. These qualities make Kawasaki models pleasant to ride. However, to fully enjoy a Kawasaki model’s capabilities, it is crucial to keep up with maintenance. This article will guide you through Kawasaki motorcycle maintenance tasks and provide an easy-to-follow periodic maintenance chart to make it easier to keep track of your bike’s service intervals. Whether you own a Kawasaki cruiser, touring motorcycle, or sports bike, most of the maintenance tasks are similar for all Kawasaki motorcycles. For model-specific guidelines, make sure you refer to the owner’s manual or contact an authorized dealer.

Kawasaki motorcycle maintenance tasks include safety checks, service intervals, cleaning routines, and general lubrication. Missing any of these four maintenance tasks can adversely affect your bike’s performance, look, reliability, power, and finish. Always consult the owner’s manual before performing simple maintenance tasks. If there is any confusion, contact an authorized dealer for advice.

Some motorcycle parts must be checked daily before going on a ride. These daily checks take only a minimal amount of time and can be performed yourself without professional help. Doing daily pre-ride checks helps ensure a safe ride. If you find any issues with your motorcycle’s systems or lack the proper tools to carry out a maintenance task, immediately contact an authorized Kawasaki motorcycle dealer/technician.

• There should be adequate fuel left in the tank.
• Make sure there are no leaks.

• The engine oil level should be between the maximum and minimum lines. Add or remove engine oil as required.

• Check the amount of slack in the drive chain.
• Lubricate the drive chain if necessary.

• Check the front and rear tire pressure with an accurate pressure gauge.
• Make sure the tire pressure is at the appropriate level according to the owner’s manual.
• Check tire pressure in cold weather.
• Install an air valve cap.

• Check the tires for damage, including irregular patterns, cracks, bulges, or holes.
• Measure the tire tread depth to make sure it is not less than 1.5-1.6 mm.

• Check the coolant reservoir for leakage.
• Inspect the coolant levels when the engine is cold.
• The coolant level should be between the maximum and minimum lines.

• Check the throttle grip freeplay.
• The throttle lever should move freely as you press and release it.

• Check the clutch lever free play.
• The clutch lever should operate smoothly without drag or noise.

• Check for loose or missing bolts, nuts, and fasteners.
• Tighten the bolts to the recommended torque values.
• Replace any broken bolts if necessary.

• Inspect for brake pad wear.
• Check the brake fluid level.
• Make sure there is no brake fluid leaking.
• Be careful not to touch brake fluid with bare skin.

• Move the Kawasaki handlebars side to side. They should turn smoothly.
• Make sure there are no tangled control cables.
• If the handlebars feel loose, contact an authorized dealer.

• Check that all the lights, including the headlight, tail light, brake lights, turn signals, emergency lights, license plate light, and warning/indicators, are working properly.
• Check the brightness of the high beam.
• Check that the horn creates a loud noise.
• Check that the electronic meters show the correct readings.

• Check to see if the engine stops when you turn the stop switch.

• Check the rear view mirrors to ensure you have a clear sight of everything behind you. Adjust the mirrors if necessary.

• Check the side stand in the closed and extended positions.
• Make sure the side stand return spring is not weakened.
• The spring must have adequate tension to support the stand in both the closed and extended position.

• Inspect the electrical system for a faulty fuse.
• Always have spare fuses to replace a broken fuse.
• If the fuse fails repeatedly, this may indicate a problem with the electrical system that requires an in-depth inspection. In such situations, contact an authorized dealer.

For model-specific periodic maintenance checks, consult the owner’s manual. You can also purchase the user manual from authorized Kawasaki dealerships or Kawasaki’s official website.

Regularly cleaning your ride is an important part of Kawasaki motorcycle maintenance. Cleaning your motorcycle will preserve its aesthetic appeal, optimize power output, extend its lifespan, and improve its resale value.

• The engine and exhaust should be cool before you start washing.
• Wash your Kawasaki motorcycle with a neutral detergent or mild cleaner and water.
• If your bike is equipped with factory luggage bags, make sure to clean them according to the instructions in the owner’s manual. However, if you have installed aftermarket Kawasaki saddlebags, then follow the cleaning instructions provided by the luggage brand.
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• Avoid washing with harsh chemicals, degreasers, oil and rust removers, ammonia-based cleaners, degreasers, solvents, and electrical contact cleaners. These chemicals will damage the paint finish, rubber and plastic components, synthetic parts, and headlight lens.
• Do not apply degreaser to seals, tires, and brake pads.
• If you spill coolant, brake fluid, oil, or gasoline during refills, clean up the mess with water. Automotive fluids can damage the paint finish and plastic surfaces.
• Do not use abrasive tools like wire brushes, steel wool, and coarse lower grit sandpaper for cleaning.
• Take extra care when cleaning the headlight lens, fairing, and other plastic parts that are susceptible to scratching.
• Clean off radiator obstructions with a hose at low pressure. Using high pressure can damage the radiator fins.
• After riding near the ocean or over salted roads, immediately wash your motorcycle with cold water. Do not use warm water as it can speed up the oxidative reaction of salt and cause corrosion. Once the bike is properly washed and dried, apply anti-corrosion spray on metal and chrome parts to prevent rusting.
• After washing the bike, moisture may form inside the headlight lens. To remove moisture, start the engine and turn on the headlight. Eventually, the heat from the bulb will cause the moisture to evaporate.
• If your bike has matte paint finish, do not rub the parts vigorously to avoid causing the matte finish to become faded.
• Always use a soft microfibre cloth to dry the plastic parts. Once dried, use a recommended plastic polish spray.
• After cleaning your bike, cover it with a breathable motorcycle cover. Covering the bike protects its finish from damaging UV rays and limits the amount of dust that settles on the bike.

Lubricating moving parts can help prevent them from wearing out faster and reduce damage due to scraping. Lubricating your motorcycle parts will help accomplish the following:

• Reduce friction between moving parts and prevent premature wear and tear or failure.
• Increase the lifespan of components, minimizing the need for frequent replacements.
• Prevent corrosion, allowing you to ride in humid and wet conditions.
• Reduce noise significantly and ensure a smooth ride.
• Prevent overheating and premature failure, especially in hot temperatures.
• Improves performance and efficiency of the engine, transmission, chain drive, levers, and other components.

• Lubricate Kawasaki parts with engine oil or grease listed in the periodic maintenance chart above. Besides the lubrication service intervals mentioned in the chart, you can apply grease/engine oil whenever your bike is exposed to rain or becomes wet. 
• Before lubricating a component, clean off all rust using rust remover. Wipe off grime, grease residue, dirt, and oil.
• Apply motor oil on the side stand, front brake lever, rear brake pedal, and clutch lever.
• Apply grease on the upper ends of the clutch inner cable and throttle inner cable. Should be applied by an authorized Kawasaki dealer or certified technician.
• Use pressure cable lube to lubricate the clutch inner cable and throttle inner cables. Should be applied by an authorized Kawasaki dealer or certified technician.

Kawasaki provides in-depth advice on motorcycle maintenance tasks. However, Kawasaki strongly discourages riders from performing maintenance tasks by themselves, except daily safety checks. All maintenance, repairs, and replacements require having extensive knowledge of mechanics, specialized tools, and OEM parts. Most riders lack the training to perform maintenance on Kawasaki motorcycles. It is recommended that you get your Kawasaki motorcycle maintained at the following places:

There are over 1,600 authorized Kawasaki dealerships operating the United States that riders can go to for maintenance. To locate the nearest Kawasaki dealership, you can use the dealer locator tool    available on Kawasaki's official website.

Kawasaki dealerships have trained staff authorized to use standard equipment and perform in-depth maintenance inspections, repair work, and replacements. Moreover, dealerships have diagnostic systems and tools to provide maintenance for specific models. Different Kawasaki lineups have unique electronic systems, engine diagnostics, and features. Diagnostic tools available only at authorized dealerships can help identify any issues and create an accurate maintenance history. Moreover, the Kawasaki Limited Emission Control System Warranty requires that you take your motorcycle to an authorized Kawasaki dealer for maintenance and repairs. This warranty becomes invalid if you fail to meet this requirement.

In addition, authorized Kawasaki dealerships have access to OEM Kawasaki parts you may not be able to find elsewhere.

Some motorcycle service centers collaborate with motorcycle manufacturers to offer standard motorcycle maintenance available at authorized dealerships. These service centers typically have access to diagnostic systems, standard equipment, and OEM parts from various brands. Many service centers offer maintenance for Kawasaki motorcycles. Make sure you conduct research on service centers in your area to compare their prices.

Many certified Kawasaki technicians start their own independent motorcycle repair shops. Though these technicians may no longer have access to Kawasaki diagnostic tools, they still have the necessary experience and training to help you. To find a qualified Kawasaki mechanic and repair shop with fair pricing, look for motorcycle repair shops in your area and call the mechanics to ask about their work experience, training, certifications, and proof of servicing Kawasaki models. You can also ask for recommendations online on Kawasaki forums, Kawasaki groups on social media platforms, and fellow riders.

When traveling between states or across the country, you might not be able to easily find a Kawasaki dealership. In case a breakdown occurs, it is recommended that you plan your routes so that you will be close to mobile mechanics and small roadside garages nearby. While planning where you want to stay, search Google for “mobile motorcycle mechanics” in the area you plan to stay. You can also use apps like Wrench, YourMechanic, and RepairSmith to find small garages near you. Though online directories offer limited information, consider searching for mobile mechanics and small garages on Yelp and Yellow Pages.

The average maintenance cost of Kawasaki motorcycles depends on how much mileage you cover every year. A service interval can cost as little as $20-$50 if it is just an oil and filter change. Tire replacements may cost between $300-$350. On average, you will need at least one full service, one intermediate service, and a few oil changes. Full service may cost between $500-$1,000, intermediate service may cost between $200-$350, and oil changes may cost you $50-$100. Replacement parts may add to the costs, but if you ride with care, Kawasaki motorcycle maintenance will cost between $750-$1,450.

Kawasaki motorcycles run properly if you make sure to provide maintenance on time. When performing maintenance tasks, make sure to follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Avoid doing tasks that you lack adequate knowledge of. When performing a safety check for the first time, contact an authorized dealer to ensure you follow the instructions properly. Proper maintenance is the only way to ensure a safe and comfortable trip on your Kawasaki model.