Kawasaki Concours GTR1000 First Gen (1986-2006) Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the first-generation Kawasaki Concours, also known as the Kawasaki GTR1000 or ZG 1000 in different markets, manufactured between 1986 and 2006, with only minor changes in between.
You might also be looking for the maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Concours 14 or 1400GTR or GTR1400.
This is the original Concours, with a 997cc L4 liquid-cooled carburetor-fed engine. It’s a sport touring model that is more oriented towards touring with its comfortable seating and huge road presence.
(These are all the same bike — slight variations on power, depending on market — but mostly the same, with different names!)
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What you need for regular maintenance for the Kawasaki Concours GTR1000
The following is a list of tools and consumables that are recommended for the Kawasaki Concours GTR1000.
- Engine Oil — The manual specifies API SE, SF, or SG; or API SH or SJ with JASO MA, with viscosity 10W-40. Kawasaki 10W-40 engine oil works well.
- Oil filter — Available from your local dealer, or you can use the Hiflofiltro HF401, which is usually around $10. If you have a standard filter, don’t forget an oil filter wrench (Hiflofiltro ones don’t need them).
- Coolant — Kawasaki motorcycles ship with 50/50 ethylene glycol-based antifreeze. So any 50/50 ethylene glycol antifreeze pre-mix would work. The manual says to “Dilute a permanent type of antifreeze” to keep anti-corrosion properties. Valvolene Zerex G05 meets these requirements
- Spark plug — Use an NGK Iridium DR9EIX for better starting, response, fuel consumption, etc.
- Air filter — Use a K&N KA-9084 as a drop-in replacement.
- Clutch cable lubricant — Protect All Cable Life is a good generic clutch cable lubricant.
- Brake fluid — Manual specifies Dot 4. Castrol Dot 4 synthetic is inexpensive and great quality.
- Grease — A lithium soap-based grease is good for lubricating major components like your side stand, centre stand, and major bearings.
Maintenance Schedule for Kawasaki Concours GTR1000
The following is the list of maintenance operations and to be done on this motorcycle with a time or distance interval — whichever comes earlier.
Notes:
- Kawasaki recommends you get safety-related items (brakes, steering etc.) serviced by a qualified mechanic.
- For items marked “check”, replace, tighten, or adjust as necessary.
- Beyond the end of the maintenance schedule, keep following it in the pattern shown.
mi x 1000 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km x 1000 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | Every |
Engine oil – change | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | year | |||
Oil filter – replace (HF401) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Air suction valve – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Air cleaner element – clean | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Air cleaner element – replace (KA-9084) | ✓ | Every 5 cleanings | |||||
Throttle grip play – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Carburetor synchronization – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Idle speed – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Spark plug – clean and gap (replace with DR9EIX) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Valve clearance – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Final gear case oil level – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Final gear case oil – change | ✓ | ||||||
Fuel system – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Brake light switch – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Brake pad wear – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Brake clutch/hoses, connections – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Fuel hose, connections – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Brake/clutch fluid level – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | month |
Brake/clutch fluid – change | ✓ | 2 years | |||||
Battery electrolyte level – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | month |
Steering – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Propeller shaft joint – lubricate | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
Tire wear – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
General lubrication – perform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Front fork oil – change | ✓ | ||||||
Swingarm pivot, unit-trak linkage – lubricate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Coolant – change | ✓ | 2 years | |||||
Radiator hoses, connections – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | year | |||
Steering stem bearing – lubricate | ✓ | 2 years | |||||
Brake/clutch master cylinder cup and dust seal – replace | 2 years | ||||||
Caliper piston seal and dust seal – replace | 2 years | ||||||
Caliper slave cylinder piston seal – replace | 2 years | ||||||
Brake/clutch hose and pipe – replace | 4 years | ||||||
Fuel hose – replace | 4 years | ||||||
Nut, bolt, and fastener tightness – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Evaporative emission control system (C) – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki Concours GTR1000
The Kawasaki Concours GTR 1000 has the following tyres sizes and pressures standard:
Wheel | Tire size | Tire pressure (cold) |
---|---|---|
Front | 120/70R18 M/C | 250 kPa (36 psi) |
Rear | 150/80R16 | 290 kPa (42 psi) |
About the Kawasaki Concours GTR1000
The Kawasaki Concours GTR1000, known in Europe as the 1000GTR and in USA as the ZG1000, is a 997 cc, six-speed, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled sport touring motorcycle with a shaft drive.
With its full fairing, tall screen, twin panniers, and 28 litre (7.4 US gal) tank, it’s well-suited to going across the country two-up. In some countries, it was a popular choice as a police motorcycle, as it’s fast and all-day comfortable.
Kawasaki introduced the Concours in 1986, based on earlier Ninja models, but tuned to be less aggressive, and with an obviously more relaxed riding position, and better fairing coverage.
The Concours was introduced into the USA the year after BMW K100LT, but at less than two thirds of the BMW’s price. Many reviewers heaped praise on the Kawasaki, and called it superior to the BMW. To this day, it’s well-liked!
The Concours was largely unchanged in two decades. In 1994 the instrument cluster was updated, and afterwards only minor changes happened on the outside – fork protectors and exhaust tips.
As the Concours first-generation endured with few revisions, experienced mechanics and used parts are readily available.
Manual for the Kawasaki Concours GTR1000
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Kawasaki Concours/GTR1000, which is available on the Kawasaki web site. we reviewed several years to confirm the maintenance schedule is the same.