I just purchased a mower with a 2018 Kawasaki fx850v engine on it (256hrs). What engine oil weight do you all recommended? I am hoping to get opinions from people who have ran an engines with more than 2000 hours, and with minimal issues. Also what is your highest hour Kawasaki? Thank you!
![Image]()
Joshua VV
Kawasaki engine oil
4 reading
I just purchased a mower with a 2018 Kawasaki fx850v engine on it (256hrs). What engine oil weight do you all recommended? I am hoping to get opinions from people who have ran an engines with more than 2000 hours, and with minimal issues. Also what is your highest hour Kawasaki? Thank you!
![Image]()
Mobil 1 vtwin 20w50 full synthetic. Latest version of the Kawasaki manuals list the 20w50 weight on their chart, older manuals do not.
I run the Kawasaki oil , it's high zinc, semi synthetic. I change it 100 hrs mowing, 50 hours bagging.
I would use 10w-40 where you be using it to collect leaves and the temperature is below 55, and 20w-50 any where you will be mowing and the temperature is in the high 90's.
If your goal is 2000 hours, it's just more than oil. Oil is very important. It's more important you change it regularly, than the exact brand IMO. Any high zinc motor oil of the correct weight will work.
Also keep the cooling fins clean. You're going to want to remove the fan shroud every 100 hrs and blow it out. Grass getting packed in there causes the motor to run hot and that not only causes the valve seats to come out, valves to stretch, stick and/or break, but shortens oil life and cylinder life. Even if it's not grass in there, it will build a layer of harden dirt and oil on the cylinders and case. This will insulate the motor and make it run hotter. You motor my have inspection ports on the shroud, some Kawasaki's do. If not, pull the shroud of each spring, inspect and clean. make sure no small animals have built nest in there.
And keep the air filter clean. I use a thin layer of grease to make sure the filter seals well to the housing. be gentle with the filter, don't bend or distort it when cleaning. Don't blow it with high pressure air, I clean mine with a wet dry vac. Again, make sure it seals, that the hoses seal, that the hoses aren't cut or cracked.
If you do those three things, it will run 2000 hours easy.
I would use 10w-40 where you be using it to collect leaves and the temperature is below 55, and 20w-50 any where you will be mowing and the temperature is in the high 90's.
Amazon.com: 12PK SAE 20W50 4-Cycle Engine Motor Oil OEM# 99969-6298 Quart Bottle : Automotive
Shop Amazon for 12PK SAE 20W50 4-Cycle Engine Motor Oil OEM# 99969-6298 Quart Bottle and find millions of items, delivered faster than ever.
www.amazon.com
If your goal is 2000 hours, it's just more than oil. Oil is very important. It's more important you change it regularly, than the exact brand IMO. Any high zinc motor oil of the correct weight will work.
Also keep the cooling fins clean. You're going to want to remove the fan shroud every 100 hrs and blow it out. Grass getting packed in there causes the motor to run hot and that not only causes the valve seats to come out, valves to stretch, stick and/or break, but shortens oil life and cylinder life. Even if it's not grass in there, it will build a layer of harden dirt and oil on the cylinders and case. This will insulate the motor and make it run hotter. You motor my have inspection ports on the shroud, some Kawasaki's do. If not, pull the shroud of each spring, inspect and clean. make sure no small animals have built nest in there.
And keep the air filter clean. I use a thin layer of grease to make sure the filter seals well to the housing. be gentle with the filter, don't bend or distort it when cleaning. Don't blow it with high pressure air, I clean mine with a wet dry vac. Again, make sure it seals, that the hoses seal, that the hoses aren't cut or cracked.
If you do those three things, it will run 2000 hours easy.
I live in Lutz Fl. I run Kawa full synthetic on my fx691. I have a fs481 that I put the same oil in. They both take same filter, makes oil changes very simple. I only have 550 on the fs and 400 on the fx. Love em both
I used to run Mobil 1 in my Kawasaki engines. But I found it was being burned up too much compared to the Kawasaki K Tech. I know that seems odd but if you search through this forum, you'll find others having the same results.
I switched to K Tech a few years ago and never have an issue. I change my oil every 100 hours. I always sell my mowers after about 4-5 years so the most I've ever had was 991 hours.
I'm in NC so I run 20W-50 almost always. I don't consider going 10W-40 unless I know I'll be starting the engine in sub-freezing temps.
I switched to K Tech a few years ago and never have an issue. I change my oil every 100 hours. I always sell my mowers after about 4-5 years so the most I've ever had was 991 hours.
I'm in NC so I run 20W-50 almost always. I don't consider going 10W-40 unless I know I'll be starting the engine in sub-freezing temps.
I personally have been running Castrol “classic” 20w-50. It is a high zinc formula only rated as “SJ” best I remember. Supposed to have a zinc content around 1400ppm, which is significant even compared to diesel oil these days.
![Image]()
Over the years I've built and ran Kaw 960, 1073, 1260, 1360 and 1420 engines,...all of the high-performance variety and they all used a little oil...so does the Suzuki engines. But all of these engines were broken in either on the dyno or the water box...Not enough to smoke mind you, but they all used a bit. They were all run very hard as well. The ZX14R streetbike is a factory-built engine, with the Brock's pipe, Power Commander and Guhl box it makes 204rwhp on the dyno...and it uses a smidge too depending on how hard it's ridden. A little bit of oil use is of no concern to me. Of course these are all high performance 4-cylinder motorcycle engines, but still makes no difference.
These little kawis over the years had been known to burn some oil and moreso than the competition when it comes to small engines. The 20w50 helps a lot as I've not had to add oil to many of mine in a whole season.
I wouldn't compare a crotch rocket to the kawi motors we are talking about, they're worlds apart.
I wouldn't compare a crotch rocket to the kawi motors we are talking about, they're worlds apart.
Well thats rude. Whats a crotch rocket to you ? To me its a race bike platform thats sold to consumers. There are twin crotch rockets as well, but there arent many american 4 bangers ones. Most are japanese as they tend to come from the motorcycle racing world which is dominated by japanese makers. Ive been riding bikes for over 25 years and I have had my fair share of crotch rockets over the years. Retired myself to an old man suzuki adventure/touring bike these days but dont question my motorcycle knowledg while attempting to define crotch rockets as though all the motors and bikes you mentioned dont obviously fall into that category. Be nice to people even if you dont agree with them.
They also use crotch rocket motors for midget racing. Sometimes youll see a guy put one in a 4 wheeler, and certainly if its in a motorcycle its a crotch rocket.
Crotch rockets arent new and dont have to be new with shiny plastics. The kz900 with a wiseco block and 1420cc engine drag bike from the 70s was definitely a crotch rocket.
They also use crotch rocket motors for midget racing. Sometimes youll see a guy put one in a 4 wheeler, and certainly if its in a motorcycle its a crotch rocket.
Crotch rockets arent new and dont have to be new with shiny plastics. The kz900 with a wiseco block and 1420cc engine drag bike from the 70s was definitely a crotch rocket.
A gs750 isnt a crotch rocket.
Hyabusa is the definition of a crotch rocket and it has a very long wheel base. It sounds like you think that only motogp bikes can be crotch rockets?
It starts with where the rider sits in my opinion and the japanese bikes in the 70s started leaning riders forward running race platforms to the public.
I know they called them muscle bikes but they were trying to lure harley guys over. They were 4 banger high revving crotch rockets not muscle bikes.
The inline 4 us the japanese universal motorcyle as it was dubbed in the 70s.
The z900 was dubbed the worlds first superbike.
The z1b was the worlds fastest production bike when it was released.
To me, a superbike is a crotch rocket. Maybe to some crotch rockets are about the riders and the wheelies. Fact is the same companies who made the superbikes have transformed them to crotch rockets. By all definitions the 70s bikes and motors we are talking about were the crotch rockets of their day and those engined are what was built on.
Hyabusa is the definition of a crotch rocket and it has a very long wheel base. It sounds like you think that only motogp bikes can be crotch rockets?
It starts with where the rider sits in my opinion and the japanese bikes in the 70s started leaning riders forward running race platforms to the public.
I know they called them muscle bikes but they were trying to lure harley guys over. They were 4 banger high revving crotch rockets not muscle bikes.
The inline 4 us the japanese universal motorcyle as it was dubbed in the 70s.
The z900 was dubbed the worlds first superbike.
The z1b was the worlds fastest production bike when it was released.
To me, a superbike is a crotch rocket. Maybe to some crotch rockets are about the riders and the wheelies. Fact is the same companies who made the superbikes have transformed them to crotch rockets. By all definitions the 70s bikes and motors we are talking about were the crotch rockets of their day and those engined are what was built on.
By your definition, a 1978 Yamaha XS 1100 was a crotch rocket...it was the quickest and fastest bike in 1978 and in a different time zone than the 903 and Z1b. In 79 it was the Honda CBX as it was a tick faster than the XS11. Then it was the Suzuki GS1100. The '50's BSA's must've been crotch rockets eh? How about those '30's Harley's and Indians?? Crotch rockets ALL you say!! LOL! Nice theory, and I do get what you're thinking, but wrong.
Yes Brucey, the GS750 was a sweet bike to be sure! Stock for stock they dusted the 900/1000 Kaw's off. Build one into an 870cc with Andrews cams, port and clean the head and a set of 29mm smoothbores with a decent pipe and they would run right with a GS1100. It was a standard bike as there really was no crotch rockets until the water cooled Kaw ZX10 Ninja came along. Some say the Suzuki Katana, but it just plain looked weird...and was basically a weirded out standard.
The Suzuki Haybusa, Kawasaki ZX14R and Yamaha FJ1200/1300's was and are sport touring bikes. The Kaw and Zook also are the two top dogs in acceleration, and while looking like crotch rockets, they are considered sport touring rides. The ZX10/GSXR 1000 are the crotch rockets.
Yes Brucey, the GS750 was a sweet bike to be sure! Stock for stock they dusted the 900/1000 Kaw's off. Build one into an 870cc with Andrews cams, port and clean the head and a set of 29mm smoothbores with a decent pipe and they would run right with a GS1100. It was a standard bike as there really was no crotch rockets until the water cooled Kaw ZX10 Ninja came along. Some say the Suzuki Katana, but it just plain looked weird...and was basically a weirded out standard.
The Suzuki Haybusa, Kawasaki ZX14R and Yamaha FJ1200/1300's was and are sport touring bikes. The Kaw and Zook also are the two top dogs in acceleration, and while looking like crotch rockets, they are considered sport touring rides. The ZX10/GSXR 1000 are the crotch rockets.
Crotch rockets are japanese inline 4 cylinders as i said before. I didnt say harleys and the UJM didnt come out till much after the harley.
All of the bikes you mentioned above are crotch rockets. It doesnt have to be a 1991 or newer fuel injected 4 cylinder with racing plastics to be a crotch rocket. Theye all stemmed from the original super bikes and they are all crotch rockets than run inline 4 high revving engines from japanese manufacturers.
A 250 ninja is no more a crotch rocket than a zx10 or a 1000rr or a 600rr or a gsxr750.
The ninja also isnt even a 4 cylinder so again your idea of plastics and sleek is incorrect. If you consider a 250 ninja a crotch rocket with a 2 cylinder inline motor you have been misled.
All of the bikes you mentioned above are crotch rockets. It doesnt have to be a 1991 or newer fuel injected 4 cylinder with racing plastics to be a crotch rocket. Theye all stemmed from the original super bikes and they are all crotch rockets than run inline 4 high revving engines from japanese manufacturers.
A 250 ninja is no more a crotch rocket than a zx10 or a 1000rr or a 600rr or a gsxr750.
The ninja also isnt even a 4 cylinder so again your idea of plastics and sleek is incorrect. If you consider a 250 ninja a crotch rocket with a 2 cylinder inline motor you have been misled.
Wow. I’m glad to see it’s some certified moto heads on lawn site. I was grinning from ear to ear reading the thread. Been riding street for close to 30 and dirt for close to 40. Loved seeing y’all bring up some of the classics. V-max,kz 900’s,GS 750’s,FJ1200’s Even mentioning the modern day ZX14, and the liter bikes GSXR,ZX10’s. Here’s something I’ve learned over the years. Nothing can bring guys together like bikes and cars. You can meet a guy at a bike night and quickly become friends. Same with cars & coffee. I’ve meet some of the best folks at car and bike events. Just had to post. Now back to the oil thread.😂
I use the OEM oil. contains zinc and made specifically for the motor. i usually use the 10w-40
highest hour just shy of 3000
Kawasaki KTECH™ 4-Cycle Engine Oil | Kawasaki Engines USA
Kawasaki KTECH 4-Cycle Engine Oil provides maximum lubrication, reducing wear and ensuring optimal engine protection, performance, and longevity.
www.kawasakienginesusa.com
highest hour just shy of 3000
Useless Trivia: Honda lost money on every 4 cylinder bike under the 750; the CB350, the highly desirable CB400F, the CB500-4 and CB550-4. The 400F Supersport was a good handler, ran pretty decent for a little 400, a good handler for the day but far from a crotch rocket.
More Useless Trivia: The handlebars from the 400F was the go-to bar for anyone changing out their bars for a performance look and feel upgrade, especially for those drag racing...short rise, narrow and seen on virtually all of the performance upgraded Japanese bikes from the '70's and '80's until the crotch-rockets came out. I sold tons of those handlebars in '78 through '80 at the Honda/Suzuki/Yamaha dealership.
Even more Useless Trivia: No Honda CB350, 400F or any of the 4-cylinder (or 6-cylinder CBX) Honda bikes of the '70's and early 80's were considered crotch rockets...about the closest one for Honda would've been the CB1100F and even that was a tarted up UJM. If you consider the CB350 a crotch rocket, let me show you my Honda QA50 Mini Muscle Bike...
Totally Useless Trivia: My '78 Suzuki GS1000 Pro Stock drag bike (1176cc, 13.7:1, welded crank & clutch hub, totally hogged out trick headwork by Byron Hines, custom ground Andrews cams, custom Hines modified Amal 34mm carbs bored to 35mm, Kosman frame/swingarm w/8" wrinkle wall car slick fueled by Klotz 114 octane race fuel) only ran 2 quarts of oil in the case instead of almost 4. Plenty of pressure and lubrication, fine for short rides...think 1/8th mile and quarter mile at a time and was good for a tenth of a second in the quarter mile. And yes, it used very little oil, but a bit...
The best that bike ran was 9.24 @ 145...about 2 tenths off Vance & Hines all conquering class leading beast that was running 9.0's. At that time Byron kept a couple of the head mods to himself...LOL
At the time my Turbo Yamaha XS11 street bike was actually faster in the quarter than my drag bike, though not as quick running 9.60's@158mph....it was converted to chain drive and could gear it up...turbo's love a tall gear! It ran 150mph with the shaft drive before the chain mod but was turning far too many RPM's and I bent a couple of valves...thus the chain conversion...for a big heavy street bike it was a true beast in 1979! (it used a bit of oil under high boost too...)
It is fun talking bikes though, even though it has absolutely nothing to do with oil consumption.
More Useless Trivia: The handlebars from the 400F was the go-to bar for anyone changing out their bars for a performance look and feel upgrade, especially for those drag racing...short rise, narrow and seen on virtually all of the performance upgraded Japanese bikes from the '70's and '80's until the crotch-rockets came out. I sold tons of those handlebars in '78 through '80 at the Honda/Suzuki/Yamaha dealership.
Even more Useless Trivia: No Honda CB350, 400F or any of the 4-cylinder (or 6-cylinder CBX) Honda bikes of the '70's and early 80's were considered crotch rockets...about the closest one for Honda would've been the CB1100F and even that was a tarted up UJM. If you consider the CB350 a crotch rocket, let me show you my Honda QA50 Mini Muscle Bike...
Totally Useless Trivia: My '78 Suzuki GS1000 Pro Stock drag bike (1176cc, 13.7:1, welded crank & clutch hub, totally hogged out trick headwork by Byron Hines, custom ground Andrews cams, custom Hines modified Amal 34mm carbs bored to 35mm, Kosman frame/swingarm w/8" wrinkle wall car slick fueled by Klotz 114 octane race fuel) only ran 2 quarts of oil in the case instead of almost 4. Plenty of pressure and lubrication, fine for short rides...think 1/8th mile and quarter mile at a time and was good for a tenth of a second in the quarter mile. And yes, it used very little oil, but a bit...
The best that bike ran was 9.24 @ 145...about 2 tenths off Vance & Hines all conquering class leading beast that was running 9.0's. At that time Byron kept a couple of the head mods to himself...LOL
At the time my Turbo Yamaha XS11 street bike was actually faster in the quarter than my drag bike, though not as quick running 9.60's@158mph....it was converted to chain drive and could gear it up...turbo's love a tall gear! It ran 150mph with the shaft drive before the chain mod but was turning far too many RPM's and I bent a couple of valves...thus the chain conversion...for a big heavy street bike it was a true beast in 1979! (it used a bit of oil under high boost too...)
It is fun talking bikes though, even though it has absolutely nothing to do with oil consumption.
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
