2010 DR650SE Oil and Filter Change - Page 2

Road and Trail Guide

If the motorcycle is really dirty, I recommend that you wash it first, or at least clean around the following areas: oil filler cap, oil filter cover and oil drain plug.

1. Gather your tools, parts and supplies.

2. Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes to warm the oil and resuspend any sediment. Shut off the engine.

3. Spread newspaper or cardboard under the engine to protect the floor from oil spills.

4. Place an oil drain pan below the engine oil drain plug. The oil drains best with the bike being close to vertical. You can install a 1-inch block of wood under the side stand.

5. With a 17 mm socket and ratchet, loosen the engine oil drain plug/bolt. With a gloved hand, remove the drain plug and crush washer. Try not to drop the drain plug or washer into the drain pan. Sometimes the crush washer will stick to the engine; you can use a small flat blade screw driver to carefully loosen it (try tapping it) before the drain plug is completely removed so that it comes off with the drain plug instead of falling into the pan of oil. I'm using a GoldPlug brand magnetic drain plug that requires a 14 mm socket. The stock drain plug is silver coloured and requires a 17 mm socket.

6. Let the oil drain as much as possible. To increase the amount of oil that is able to drain, tip the bike a bit to both sides. Make sure that the drain pan is in position to catch the oil. Repeat this a few times.

7. Note any differences in the surfaces of the sealing (crush) washer and then remove it from the engine oil drain plug. If the sealing washer is in good condition, and you are planning to reuse it, wipe it off and later install it in the original orientation (same side making contact with the engine). In my experience it's fine to reuse the sealing washer as long as it still looks to be in good condition. If you prefer (or need) to replace the sealing washer, it is often much cheaper to buy them in quantity from another source than to buy them as an OEM part from a motorcycle dealer. I use the flat type aluminum sealing washers.

8. Once the oil has mostly drained (it might still drip for a while if you continue to wait), wipe the drain hole sealing surface on the engine to remove any dirt or sediment, and install the oil drain plug with a sealing (crush) washer by hand until tight. There will be oil on the threads, which is okay. With an accurate torque wrench, tighten the drain plug; the service manual update specifies a torque value of 23 N.m (16.5 lb-ft). Don't exceed this amount.

If not replacing the oil filter, skip ahead to step 18 on the next page: add oil to the engine.