Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 3 (2017-2019) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 3, made between 2017-2019. This motorcycle was also known as the Ninja 1000 SX or the Z1000SX.
The Kawasaki Ninja 1000 is a sport-touring motorcycle released in 2010 and sold since model year 2011. It has evolved during the years, adding refinement, some power, and a lot of technology to it — becoming one of the early affordable motorcycles with a full 6-axis IMU for example. The Ninja 1000 Gen 3 was sold since 2017 (see below for the changes).
It’s unrelated to other motorcycles in the Ninja range. The engine for the Gen 3 comes from the 2014 Z1000, similar to the Gen 2. It’s a ZX-10R engine but tuned for more mid-range. Nonetheless, the Kawasaki is a fast bike, making 100+ kW (140 hp) from its 1,043cc engine.
Major generations of the Ninja 1000 were:
- Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 1 (2011-2013): The base model, the 1,043cc sport touring bike we all love.
- Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 2 (2014-2016): Enhanced Tokico brakes. Traction control, power modes, and optional ABS (standard in some parts of the world). Revised suspension, bodywork, and induction.
- Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 3 (2017-2019): A 6-axis IMU giving it lean angle-aware ABS and traction control. Standard ABS, and new styling.
- Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX Gen 4 (2020+): Ride by wire, cruise control, more ride modes, shortened trail, electronic suspension, revised tuning and camshaft profiles, an up/down quick shifter, a sweet colour TFT dashboard, and more changes.
Internally the Ninja 1000 didn’t change dramatically, with some parts being the same for all generations.
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What you need to service the 2017-2019 Kawasaki Ninja Gen 3
To maintain the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 3, you need the following basic consumables, in addition to basic motorcycle maintenance tools.
| Part | Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 3 Spec |
|---|---|
| Oil | You need 4.0L (4.2 US qt) of SAE 10W-40 engine oil “with API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2 rating”, preferably Kawasaki 10W-40 Engine Oil. Don’t over-torque the drain bolt (spec is 29 Nm/21 lb-ft per the manual) — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is enough. |
| Oil filter | Oil filter is part 16097-0008, or you can use Hiflofiltro HF303RC. Torque for oil filter is 17 Nm (13 ft-lb) (use a torque wrench, and it’s easier on the Hiflofiltro one) |
| Front brake pads | Genuine part number for front brake pads is 43082-0144 for the Ninja 1000. Get double-sintered EBC brake pads for better bite and wear — code FA379HH. |
| Rear brake pads | Genuine part number for rear brake pads is 43082-0167. Get double-sintered EBC brake pads for better bite and wear — code FA192HH. |
| Spark plugs | NGK CR9EIA-9, with a spark plug gap of 0.8-0.9mm (use a spark plug gapping tool), torqued to 13 Nm or 9 ft-lb (use a torque wrench) |
| Air filter | Genuine part number is 11013-0712. You can also use the HifloFiltro part HFA2620. |
| Cable lubricant | Remember 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 lubricant. |
| Chain lubricant | The chain needs to be lubricated every 600 km/400 miles (or more, if it gets wet/dirty). Motul chain paste is cheap and well-loved. |
| Brake fluid | Spec is to use DOT-4 brake fluid, like Castrol DOT 4 |
| Coolant | Use 2.9L (about 3.1 US qt) of “soft water and ethylene glycol plus corrosion and rust inhibitor chemicals for aluminum engines and radiators”, e.g. Valvoline Zerex G05 |
| Grease | Use a lithium soap-based grease for all the important greasing points. |
Maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki 2017-2019 Ninja 1000 Gen 3
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 3.
The format of the maintenance schedule has evolved since previous generations, though the content didn’t change substantially.
Notes on letters used:
- I = Inspect
- R = Replace
- L = Lubricate
- (C) Service more frequently in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping
- (D) California model only
| km x 1000 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mi x 1000 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 7.6 | 11.4 | 15.2 | Every |
| Air cleaner element (*C) | R | |||||
| Idle speed | I | I | I | |||
| Throttle control system (play, smooth return, no drag) | I | I | I | Year, I | ||
| Engine vacuum synchronization | I | I | ||||
| Fuel system | I | I | I | Year, I | ||
| Fuel hoses | 5 years, R | |||||
| Evaporative emission conrol system (*D) | I | I | I | I | I | |
| Coolant level | I | I | I | |||
| Cooling system | I | I | I | Year, I | ||
| Coolant, water hoses, and O-rings | 3 years or 36K km (22.5K mi), R | |||||
| Valve clearance | I | |||||
| Air suction system | I | I | ||||
| Clutch operation (play, engagement, disengagement) | I | I | I | |||
| Engine oil(*C) and oil filter | R | R | R | Year, R | ||
| Tire air pressure | I | I | Year, I | |||
| Wheels and tires | I | I | Year, I | |||
| Wheel bearing damage | I | I | Year, I | |||
| Drive chain lubrication condition (*C) | 600 km (400 mi), I | |||||
| Drive chain slack (*C) | 1000 km (600 mi), I | |||||
| Drive chain wear (*C) | I | I | ||||
| Drive chain guide wear | I | I | ||||
| Brake system | I | I | I | I | I | Year, I |
| Brake operation (effectiveness, play, no drag) | I | I | I | I | I | Year, I |
| Brake fluid level | I | I | I | I | I | 0.5 year, I |
| Brake fluid (front and rear) | R | 2 years, R | ||||
| Brake hose/Rubber parts of brake master cylinder and caliper | 4 years/48K km (30K mi), R | |||||
| Brake pad wear (*C) | I | I | I | I | ||
| Brake light switch operation | I | I | I | I | I | |
| Suspension system | I | I | Year, I | |||
| Steering play | I | I | I | Year, I | ||
| Steering stem bearings | L | 2 years, L | ||||
| Electrical system | I | I | Year, I | |||
| Spark plug | R | R | ||||
| Chassis parts | L | L | Year, L | |||
| Condition of bolts, nuts, and fasteners | I | I | I |
Tyre sizes for the Ninja 1000 Gen 3
The manual for the Ninja 1000 Gen 3 specifies these tyre sizes, recommends these brands, and specifies these pressures. These don’t change substantially between generations.
| Wheel | Size | Shipped brand | Tyre pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70ZR17 M/C 58W | BRIDGESTONE, BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S20F N | 250 kPa/36 psi |
| Rear | 190/50ZR17 M/C (73W) | BRIDGESTONE, BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S20R N | 290 kPa/42 psi |
There are more advanced tyres out these days that you can get for your Ninja 1000.
About the 2017-2019 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 is still a sports tourer with a 100+ kW (140 hp) inline-four engine and many aids to help you go fast for a long time.
But the 2017 model update took it to the front of the pack in the sports tourer category.
Firstly, the category itself was almost dead, thanks to the Ninja 1000. It killed off the VFR800, being more powerful, lighter, and better-equipped (and the same price), and there are few other competitors out there. Most motorcycle buyers (and manufacturers) focus on adventure sport tourers, like the Tracer 900.
The Kawasaki Ninja 1000 didn’t rest on its laurels though. In 2017 it got some very significant updates, including
- A 6-axis IMU — giving the 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Gen 3 lean angle-aware traction control and ABS. This was very unique in motorcycles at the time, especially in Japanese ones, and especially especially in this category.
- New instrument panel with gear position indicator and a shift light
- LED lights
- Updated bodywork, with more integrated hard luggage, with a new double-bubble windscreen
- Adjustable clutch lever
- Wider mirrors
The third gen Kawasaki Ninja 1000 donated its six-axis IMU to the 2019+ Kawasaki Versys 1000, which also got cruise control at the same time.
Manual for the Ninja 1000 Gen 3
The above was from the manual for a 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 1000, part of the Gen 3 series.
Here’s a screenshot from the maintenance schedule in the manual.
You can view the manual on Kawasaki’s website here.
