This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R EX250-J made between 2008-2012, also known as the Kawasaki EX250 in different markets. But it’s usually just known as a “Ninja 250R” or “Ninja 250”. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R EX250-J, 2008-2012 is a motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike line, which encapsulates everything from sporty commuters like the Ninja 250 up to hyper-bikes like the Ninja H2. The original Ninja 250 1988-2007 was made very similarly for many years and shares a common maintenance schedule across the period. The venerable Kawasaki Ninja 250 underwent a big redesign in 2008, and was made the same way until 2012, at which point it was retired in most western markets. It was succeeded by the Kawasaki Ninja 300, which shortly thereafter itself was succeeded by the more powerful and lighter Ninja 400! Originally published Oct 19, 2020, but significantly updated in the intervening years. This site has links for things like oil and spark plugs from which we earn a commission which unfortunately nobody can save, not even us. If you appreciate this work, then please use those links. Thanks! Kawasaki Ninja 250R Service intervals The Kawasaki Ninja 250R has 7500 mile / 12000 km or annual service intervals. At every service, change the oil and filter. Kawasaki also recommends you change the air filter at each service, or at least every two years. The valve clearance interval is also 7500 miles / 12000 km, though doesn’t have a distance attached. On the other hand, many owners of the Ninja 250R report that the valves rarely need adjusting, especially after the first service or two. Regularly change the brake fluid, coolant, and rubber parts as they begin to fatigue. What you need to service your Kawasaki Ninja 250R The Ninja 250 is a popular first bike, and a great bike to start to learn to do your own service on. Aside from basic motorcycle maintenance tools, here are a few special parts you’ll need to service your Kawasaki Ninja 250. PartNinja EX250 250R specOilYou need SAE 10W-40 engine oil manual says mineral, semi-synthetic, and full synthetic are all OK. Use a good mid-range oil like Motul 5100 10W-40 no need for something race-spec.Don’t over-torque the drain bolt spec is 20 Nm/14 lb-ft per the manual — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is filterUse a Hiflofiltro HF401, a commonly available and high-quality replacement. Torque on the oil filter is 20 Nm/14 lubricantThe chain needs to be lubricated every 600 km/400 miles or more, if it gets wet/dirty. Motul chain paste is cheap and lubricantRemember to lubricate your clutch cable and brake cables if you have them with a cable lubricant. Protect All Cable Life is a good general-purpose fluidSpec is to use DOT-4 brake fluid, Castrol DOT ethylene glycol pre-mix coolant with a 50% mixture, with anti-corrosion inhibitors safe for an aluminium radiator. Valvoline Zerex brake padsReplace the stock pads with EBC brake pads for better bite and less fade, code brake padsReplace the stock rear pads with EBC double hardened brake pads to match the front — code FA197HH same as the front.Spark plugsNGK CR8E, with a spark plug gap of use a spark plug gapping tool, torqued to 13 Nm or 9 ft-lb use a torque wrenchAir filterYou can use the K&N equivalent a lithium soap-based grease for all the important greasing for servicing the Ninja 250R 2008-2012. Below is the maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R EX250-J. The original maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R EX250-J was broken into three sections Engine Related Items, Chassis Related Items, and Change/Replacement Items. To clarify this, we combined them, then separated them into two sections The main service schedule of important items like oil changes, spark plugs, and valve clearances The checklist of items to go over, including hoses, lights, and safety equipment Notes on the maintenance schedule For higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established here. Follow the earlier of the time and distance-based intervals. The break-in service is omitted, as the Ninja 250R is no longer sold new. Check the braking system more often, between services, as it’s critical to safety. mi x x 100012243648EveryStandard service checklist see below — Perform✓✓✓✓YearEngine oil – change Motul 5100 10W-40✓✓✓✓Year, or more often if riding aggressivelyOil filter – replace HF401✓✓✓✓YearAir cleaner element – clean/replace KA-2508✓✓✓✓Replace every 2 yearsValve clearances – inspect / adjust✓✓✓✓Engine vacuum synchronization – inspect✓✓✓✓Air suction system damage – inspect✓✓✓✓Idle speed – inspect✓✓✓✓Clutch operation play, engagement, disengagement – inspect✓✓✓✓Drive chain wear – inspect✓✓✓✓More often if riding in dusty / wet conditionsDrive chain guide wear – inspect✓✓✓✓Tire tread wear, abnormal wear – inspect✓✓✓✓Wheels/tires damage – inspect✓✓✓✓Brake pad wear – inspectMore often if riding in dusty / dirty conditions✓✓✓✓Uni-trak rocker arm and tie rods – inspect✓✓✓✓Brake fluid front and rear – change Castrol DOT 4✓✓2 yearsBrake hoses – replace✓4 yearsRubber parts of master cylinder and caliper – replace✓4 yearsCoolant – change Valvoline Zerex G05✓3 yearsRadiator hoses and O-rings – replace✓3 yearsFuel hoses – replace5 yearsSwingarm pivot – lubricate lithium soap-based grease✓✓Steering stem bearings – lubricate lithium soap-based grease✓✓2 yearsNinja 250R Service Schedule Standard service checklist This is the standard checklist of things to look over when servicing your Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Do this according to the schedule above. Kawasaki Ninja 250R Standard Service ChecklistThrottle control system play, smooth return, no drag – inspectChoke operation – inspectFuel leak fuel hose and pipe – inspectFuel hoses damage – inspectFuel hoses installation condition – inspectCoolant level – inspectCoolant leak – inspectRadiator hose damage – inspectRadiator hoses installation condition – inspectTire air pressure – inspectWheel bearings damage – inspectBrake fluid leak – inspectBrake hoses damage – inspectBrake fluid level – inspectInspect every 6 monthsBrake hose installation condition – inspectBrake operation effectiveness, play, drag – inspectBrake light switch operation – inspectFront fork — inspect for leaks, smooth operationRear shock — inspect for leaks, smooth operationSteering play – inspectLights and switches operation – inspectHeadlight aiming – inspectSide stand switch operation – inspectEngine stop switch operation – inspectChassis parts – lubricateBolts and nuts tightness – inspectEvaporative emission control system – function CA model onlyKawasaki Ninja 250R Standard Service Checklist Maintaining the Kawasaki Ninja 250R’s Chain It’s important to maintain your chain on the Ninja 250R, as on any chain-driven motorcycle. Use a good-quality chain lubricant like Motul chain paste, or a Motul chain care kit which comes with a couple of handy tools to maintain the chain. Kawasaki recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule Chain maintenance itemEveryCheck drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary Motul chain paste400 mi / 600 kmCheck drive chain slack, adjusting if necessarySlack should be 20-30mm of free play at the loosest mi / 1000 kmChain maintenance — Kawasaki Ninja 250R Notes on chain maintenance for the Ninja 250R Do these items checking/adjusting slack, and checking/applying lubrication more often if you ride your Ninja 250R in dusty or rainy conditions. Always lubricate the chain after washing the motorcycle. Kawasaki Ninja 250R measuring chain slack To adjust chain slack, you need to adjust the position of the wheel on the rear axle. It’s easy with some simple home tools including a socket set and wrenches, although you do need a large torque wrench if you’re unfamiliar with how tightly to do up the rear axle bolt. Follow these steps Put the motorcycle up on its side stand on a level surface. On the rear axle, loosen the adjuster locknuts on each side. Remove the cotter pin, and loosen the rear axle nut. If the chain is too loose, turn in the adjusting nuts evenly. Do the converse if the chain is too loose Tighten the adjusting nuts evenly — to maintain wheel alignment. Re-tighten the axle nut 98 Nm / 72 lb-ft Tighten the lock nuts. Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki Ninja The Kawasaki Ninja has the following tyre sizes standard, plus the following recommended pressures. TyreSizeTyre pressureFront110/70-17 M/C 54S200 kPa/28 psiRear130/70-17 M/C 62S225 kPa/32 psiKawasaki Ninja 250R Tyres and tyre pressures The Ninja 250R shipped with Bridgestone BT-45R or Dunlop GT501R standard, but use whatever street/sport tyres suit your regular use. About the Kawasaki Ninja 250R EX250-J The Ninja 250R is the quintessential first motorcycle. Affordable, easy to ride, easy to repair, and widely available, a common recommendation is for people to buy one and then to sell it for exactly what they paid for it. But that’s not all the Ninja 250R can be. It is a simple bike, but it has the underpinnings of a motorcycle that can be used for all kinds of shenanigans. Granted it’ll need different springs for the track, maybe gold valves, better brake lines and pads… but once you’re done with that and have cleared off a lot of weight, it can be quite a fun bike to rev up to the limiter on a tight circuit. In stock form, with its smooth and accessible power delivery, low seat height, and excellent value, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R EX250-J has all the elements to make it the perfect first sport bike, giving a new rider a taste for the style. It’s lightweight and agile, with low ownership costs coupled with impressive performance for the capacity. It doesn’t pull that hard, but when you wind it up, it sounds like a jet engine! The 249cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine is tuned for smooth, predictable power delivery around town and excellent performance on the highway. You have to rev it up, but the smooth and easy to use six-speed transmission with Kawasaki’s positive neutral finder means you can always keep it going at any speed you need. The modern aerodynamic fairing and windscreen mean that the Kawasaki Ninja 250 not only looks great but is comfortable to ride, keeping the wind off you and the chassis at speed. The Ninja 250 is also comfortable. It has a natural riding position and comfortable ergonomics. Riding it on city streets is a pleasure. The braking power is ample for a bike this light and modestly powered with a 290mm front and 220mm rear brake rotors, each gripped by two-piston hydraulic calipers. Like later Kawasaki Ninja models, the Kawasaki Ninja 250 has generally high-quality components and won’t let you down until you decide you have outgrown it. The Kawasaki Ninja 250 was retired for the Kawasaki Ninja 300. Manual for the Kawasaki Ninja 250R EX250-J The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R EX250-J, which is available here. It’s the same for the other years. An archive copy of the 2012 manual is below. Motorcycle and car nut. Chief editor at Always reading about motorcycles and cars, looking at deals, and poring over manuals and forums, even for things I don't own. Sharing what I learn here.