Kawasaki ER-6n (2006-2016) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki ER-6n.
The Kawasaki ER-6n is the naked sibling of the Ninja 650, a.k.a. the ER-6F (the “n” in ER-6n is for “naked”). It’s very much the same bike, just sans fairing!
Kawasaki has made the ER-6n since 2006, but only sold it in the US since 2009. It was retired in 2017 in favour of the Kawasaki Z650, which was updated at the same time as the Ninja 650.
The ER-6n is powered by a torquey 649cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve-per-cylinder parallel-twin engine. It’s the same engine that powers other similar motorcycles, like the Versys 650. It doesn’t set your hair on fire, but it’s an engine that most people can’t kill before they crash their bikes.
Updated 2024 with more detail, and chain service guidelines.
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Kawasaki ER-6n Service Intervals
Overall, the Kawasaki ER-6n has 7 500 mile / 12000 km service intervals. At every service, change the oil and filter, and do a once-over of the motorcycle.
You should also change the spark plugs at every service.
Kawasaki does recommend checking safety-related equipment — e.g. brake fluid levels and leaks, clutch operation, and coolant levels — between services.
The major valve clearance service interval for the Kawasaki ER-6n is every 15 000 miles or 24 000 km.
Aside from that, regularly replace the fluids, and keep the chain maintained.
Maintenance Schedule for Kawasaki ER-6n
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki ER-6n.
The following is the list of maintenance operations and to be done on the Kawasaki ER-6n with a time or distance interval — whichever comes earlier.
The original maintenance for the Kawasaki ER-6n is broken into three sections: Change/ Replacement Items, Engine Related Items, and Chassis-Related Items. But we’ve changed the presentation to make it easier to digest.
Notes:
- For higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established below.
- The break in schedule is no longer shown (as the time has passed)
Service Schedule for the Kawasaki ER-6n
| km x 1000 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mi x 1000 | 7.5 | 15 | 22.5 | 30 | Every |
| Inspection checklist (see below) — Perform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Engine oil — Replace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Oil filter — Replace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Spark plugs — Replace | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Valve clearances — Inspect / Adjust | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Air cleaner element — Inspect / Clean | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Air cleaner element — Replace | Every 2 years, or more often when riding in rain / dust | ||||
| Fuel hoses — Replace | ✓ | 4 years | |||
| Coolant — Replace | ✓ | 3 years | |||
| Radiator hoses and O-rings — Replace | ✓ | 3 years | |||
| Brake fluid (front and rear) — Replace (Castrol DOT 4) | ✓ | ✓ | 2 years | ||
| Brake hoses and pipe — Replace | ✓ | 4 years | |||
| Steering stem bearings — Lubricate | ✓ | ✓ | 2 years | ||
| Rubber parts of master cylinder and caliper — Replace | R | 4 years |
Inspection checklist
Note: Check safety-related items (brakes, clutch) between services.
| Inspection checklist |
|---|
| Throttle control system — Inspect (play, smooth return, no drag) |
| Engine vacuum synchronization — Inspect, adjust |
| Idle speed — Inspect, adjust |
| Fuel system — Inspect for leaks |
| Fuel hoses — Inspect for damage |
| Fuel hoses installation condition — Inspect |
| Coolant — Inspect level, for leaks |
| Radiator hoses — Inspect installation condition, and for damage |
| Evaporative emission control system (California) —Inspect |
| Clutch operation — Inspect (play, engagement, disengagement) |
| Drive chain — Inspect wear level, slack |
| Drive chain — Inspect guide wear |
| Tire air pressure — Inspect, adjust |
| Wheels/tires — Inspect damage |
| Tire tread — Inspect wear, abnormal wear |
| Wheel bearings — Inspect damage |
| Brake hoses — Inspect for damage |
| Brake pad — Inspect wear |
| Brake hoses — Inspect installation condition |
| Brake fluid — Inspect level, for leaks |
| Brake operation — Inspect (effectiveness, play, drag) |
| Brake light switch — Inspect operation |
| Front forks/rear shock absorber operation (damping and smooth stroke) |
| Front forks/rear shock absorber — Inspect for oil leaks |
| Steering bearings — Inspect for play |
| Lights and switches operation — Inspect |
| Headlight — Inspect aim, adjust |
| Side stand switch operation — Inspect function |
| Engine stop switch operation — Inspect function |
| Chassis parts — Lubricate |
| Bolts and nuts tightness — Inspect |
| Air suction system damage |
Maintaining Your Chain on the Kawasaki ER-6n
It’s important to maintain your chain on the ER-6n, particularly as these get used as commuters, which can be surprisingly high-stress. 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 item | Every |
|---|---|
| Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary (Motul chain paste) | 400 mi / 600 km |
| Check drive chain slack, adjusting if necessary Target chain slack: 25-35 mm | 600 mi / 1000 km |
Notes:
- Do these items (checking/adjusting slack, and checking/applying lubrication) more often if you ride your ER-6n in dusty or rainy conditions.
- Always lubricate the chain after washing the motorcycle.
To check the slack on the Kawasaki ER-6n, put the motorcycle in neutral, onto its kickstand, and on a level surface.
Check the slack on the lower part of the chain, midway between the sprockets, and check it in multiple places (move the motorcycle forwards and backwards) as chains wear unevenly.
Slack on the Kawasaki ER-6n is defined as the free vertical movement of the chain.
Target chain slack for the Kawasaki ER-6n: 25 – 35 mm (1.0 – 1.4 in)
If the chain slack is out of spec, you need to adjust it.
Adjusting chain slack
To adjust the chain slack on the Kawasaki ER-6n, follow the steps below. As with measuring chain slack, make sure that the motorcycle is on a level surface on its kickstand, in neutral, with no weight on it.
- Loosen the rear axle and the adjuster lock nuts on either side of the axle.
- Remove the cotter pin in the axle.
- Turn the adjuster nuts to tighten (or loosen) the chain. Keep checking the chain tension to see if it has come within spec.
- Keep an eye on the adjuster alignment marks on either side of the axle. Make sure that the adjustment is to the same point.
- When you’re done, tighten the axle to 108 Nm / 80 lb-ft. (You’ll need a large torque wrench.)
- Re-check the chain slack again to make sure it’s still within spec.
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki ER-6n
The Kawasaki ER-6n has the following tyres and tyre sizes standard, as well as the following recommended tyre pressures.
| Wheel | Tyre size | Tyre pressure (cold) | Shipped tyre brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W) | 225 kPa/32psi | DUNLOP SPORTMAX ROADSMART CQG |
| Rear | 160/60 ZR17 M/C (69W) | 250 kPa/36psi | DUNLOP SPORTMAX ROADSMART G |
About the Kawasaki ER-6n
The Kawasaki ER-6n is an affordable bike that’s easy to ride and which outperforms considering how cheap and simple it is.
The ER-6n is a member of Kawasaki’s parallel twin-powered family of middleweights. It’s powered by the same 649cc 180-degree parallel-twin water-cooled engine that powers the Ninja 650, Versys 650, and Vulcan S.
It’s not a terribly inspiring engine, but it makes torque everywhere you need it, and easily takes riders to speeds north of 180 km/h where a naked bike starts to feel like maybe it doesn’t belong (probably far below that for most mortals).
The Kawasaki ER-6n’s beauty is in its versatility. It’s near perfect as a commuter motorcycle — lightweight, simple, difficult to stall, easy to steer, and very, very reliable. In fact, I’ve never seen a ER-6n ruined through anything other than neglect or a crash.
The engine in the ER-6n will, if serviced, regularly go past 100,000 km (60,000 miles) without even sounding different. Many owners even forego valve inspections (but they really shouldn’t).
A few things that make the ER-6n easy to ride are the lightweight clutch, neutral finder in the transmission, and very clear display.
While the ER-6n only makes modest power, it’s still a popular choice for an entry-level track day bike as it’s so cheap to service, change tyres for, and (if necessary) replace if it’s totalled.
It’s tempting for new owners to replace the exhaust of the ER-6n, but the reality is that the first modifications you should make to the ER-6n, if you planning on pushing it hard, are to the suspension and brake lines.
Manual for the Kawasaki ER-6n
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Kawasaki ER-6n, which is available to view online here.
