XR650R Oil Change

The factory recommended change interval is every 600 miles. This is assuming fairly aggressive dirt only use. For those dual sporting or otherwise running their XR650R gently the distance can be extended quite a bit.

Factory capacity is 1.7 quarts with an oil filter change, 2.1 quarts with engine disassembly, 1.5 quarts with a simple oil drain.

Here is the procedure.

  • Make sure the bike is warm so the oil will drain out well.
  • Remove the dipstick/fill-plug on the top of the frame
  • Remove the oil tank drain bolt on the front lower portion of the frame. This will drain the oil out of the frame. It can be helpful to use a rolled piece of rolled paper to direct the oil into your drain pan without it running down the front of the frame.
  • Remove the engine oil drain bolt from the bottom left side of the motor. This will drain the oil out of the bottom end of the engine. Again it can be helpful to use a piece of rolled paper to direct the oil into your drain pan without making a mess.
  • Remove the oil filter from the right side of the engine by removing the 8mm bolts which hold on the cover. Gently pry off the oil filter cover if it does not pop out on it’s own.
  • Note the orientation of the oil filter so you put the new one in the same way.
  • Wipe out any residual oil from the oil filter housing with a rag.
  • ** I like to give the bike half a dozen kicks through to squirt out as much left over oil as possible from the oil filter housing. If you do this just be aware it will squirt out everywhere. Also make sure your kill switch is activated. You do NOT want the bike starting. ***
  • Put in the new filter and tighten down the cover. These bolts do not need to be very tight. Just snug. 9 ft-lbs is spec.
  • Put in the engine drain bolt and frame drain bolt. Again, don’t strip these bolts, just make them snug.
  • Pour 1.7 quarts of oil into the frame and put the plug dipstick back in place.
  • Kick the bike through half a dozen times to circulate the oil a bit.
  • Start the bike and go for a short ride.
  • Check the oil level and top up as necessary

(This post could use some photos. Anyone have some to contribute?)

  • #1 written by Antonis Apostolopoulos
    about 1 year ago

    Hello my friend. I’ m from Greece. Nice to meet you!

    [Reply]

  • #2 written by rafael
    about 1 year ago

    hi fellows, i would like to know what is the process of the oil change on a honda xr 650r 2001. thanks

    [Reply]

  • #3 written by reuben
    about 1 year ago

    how do i change my oil

    [Reply]

  • #4 written by jorge_XR
    about 1 year ago

    hey reuben. i guess you have already found out how…
    anywayz, there are 2 bolts to remove. 1. down tube oil drain bolt, & 2. crankcase oil drain bolt. check the washers for damage and replace if necesary…. before all that start your engine and let it idle for a few minutes. when you turn it off, dont forget to remove oil filler cap.
    nice and easy…..
    i reccoment 10/40 oil (agip if you like) about to 1600 ml……..
    antios from chalkida, greece…….

    [Reply]

    Evan Reply:
    January 30th, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    Thanks for the post Jorge. Keep on riding!

    [Reply]

  • #5 written by Tom
    about 8 months ago

    I got told to put 1litre in then run it for a minute, stop the engine and put in the remaining 600ml. Hope this helps.

    [Reply]

  • #6 written by Tom
    about 8 months ago

    Thanks for the tips by the way, just changing the oil and filter for the first time right now. A sunny 16 degrees C and a quick fang into Bathurst I think after I get this done…..just to make sure it’s a.o.k of course.

    [Reply]

  • #7 written by paul
    about 4 months ago

    how do i prime the oil system….if the bike is running the oil is pumping…yes?

    [Reply]

  • #8 written by Mal
    about 4 months ago

    It’s the carbon from the combustion process in your oil that causes main engine wear, hard on valve seats tappets etc, hence why they use carbon head cutting tools in engineering. Probably main reason why Honda recommend the 600 miles, especially with the low oil volume. Was told about the wear carbon causes by one of Mobil’s top oil technicians, he also said better to use an average oil and change often than an expensive one changed less. Oil cheap compared to parts, found Valvoline best alround.

    [Reply]

  • #9 written by Mal2
    about 4 months ago

    Evan good oil changing tips thanks, removing spark plug cap if you are going to use your kick start method to clear oil from filter housing would be a wise addition to your info, obviously be a disaster if someone was tired and got kill switch position wrong. I just lean the bike right over and it runs out, same for crankcase drain side to get last bit. Oil level best checked with bike stationary and centered upright and idled for 5 minutes (unto 10 mins in cold climates) then dipstick immediately removed and replaced with out screwing down for a second or two then removed for checking level – again from the Honda manual – feel if you are going to place info on the net best to quote from the people that actually made the bike :)

    [Reply]

  • #10 written by Gary Lane
    about 3 months ago

    Just got the bike and no oil was registeriing on dipstick, drained out about 3 quarts. Changed oil and filter, ran bike and oil is pumping into the frame but not staying there. put in 1.7 quarts, cleaned both strainers and check valve but still wont stay in frame. ?????

    [Reply]

    admin Reply:
    February 17th, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    That’s completely normal Gary. When the bike is sitting the oil will drain out of the frame down into the engine. Check your oil after you turn off the engine to verify it looks good on the dipstick.

    [Reply]

  • #11 written by Gary Lane
    about 3 months ago

    THANKS!.!.!

    [Reply]

  • #12 written by Gary Lane
    about 2 months ago

    I was warming up my bike when coolant starting coming out the overflow on top of the coolant reservoir????

    [Reply]

  • #13 written by Gary Lane
    about 2 months ago

    Also what do you think about water wetter by Redline????

    [Reply]

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