2012 Honda CBR250RA Oil and Filter Change (Page 1)

Also applicable to the Honda CRF250L, CRF300L, CRF300L Rally, CBR300R, CB300R, Rebel 300

Disclosure: While the author has attempted to provide correct and complete information, sometimes errors or omissions may occur. By using this document and following the procedures and advice below, the user assumes all risk and responsibility for injury or damage to their motorcycle. The author has been servicing motorcycles for many years (not as a profession) and is mostly self-taught (no formal training in motorcycle servicing). It is recommended that you consult the factory owner’s manual and/or service manual for your motorcycle.

Read all of the instructions before beginning. If you have a digital camera, it may be helpful to take photos of the bike as you remove parts and reposition others so that you can refer to them later as you put the bike back together. The following is based on the author’s observations and experience performing an oil and oil filter change on the 2012 CBR250RA (and 2023 CRF300L) and on information contained in the 2011-2012 Honda CBR250RA Factory Service Manual (part no. 61KYJ00) and owner's manual. The author also has copies of the 2021-2022 Honda CRF300L/LA/LR/LRA Factory Service Manual (61K1T01) and the 2022 Honda Common Service Manual (61CSM00).

The service manuals skip over a few points that would be helpful to know in advance. This guide attempts to fill in some gaps, help clarify some points and offer some hints to make the oil and filter change procedure a little clearer.

By performing the oil and oil filter change yourself, you can save a significant amount of money, learn more about your bike and gain the satisfaction of maintaining your bike yourself. There is nothing technically challenging about the procedure. Use the correct tools for the job, and take your time.

The 2011-2012 CBR250R/A service manual states that 10W-30 motorcycle oil is recommended, but the manual also includes a chart indicating that both 10W-30 and 10W-40 are acceptable. The 2021-2022 CRF300L/LR service manual and the 2023 CRF300L Owner's Manual recommend 10W-30 motorcycle oil. The CRF300L/LR service manual does not include the chart that the CBR250R/A service manual does.

Parts and supplies you may need:

• at least 1.5 litres of motorcycle specific engine oil of the correct viscosity (10W30 or 10W40)
• new OEM oil filter (if changing)
• a new OEM oil filter cover gasket (if changing oil filter)
• a new crush washer for the engine oil drain bolt
• shop towels or clean rags
• disposable gloves (nitrile)
• newspaper, cardboard
• masking or electrical tape

Tools you may need:

• an accurate torque wrench (10 - 24 N.m range)
• 12 mm socket and ratchet for removing the oil drain bolt
• 8 mm socket, ratchet and a 3-, 4- or 6-inch extension for the oil filter cover bolts
• 5 mm hex key / Allen key or 5 mm hex bit, ratchet and extension for cowling bolts
• stubby #2 Philips screwdriver for lower cowling removal
• flat blade screw driver
• needle nose pliers (small)
• oil drain pan
• funnels, one for clean oil and one for used oil

Service Manual Recommended Engine Oil

Oil Level Inspection (Service Manual)

• Hold the motorcycle in an upright position.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 3-5 minutes.
• Stop the engine and wait 2-3 minutes.
• Check the oil level through the inspection window.
• If the level is below the lower level line, remove the oil filler cap and fill the crankcase with the recommended oil up to the upper level line.
• Check that the O-ring (oil filler cap) is in good condition, replace if necessary.
• Apply engine oil to the O-ring.
• Install the oil filler cap.

Service Manual Instructions - Engine Oil Change

• Warm up the engine.
• Stop the engine and remove the oil filler cap.
• Place a drain pan under the engine oil drain bolt to catch the oil.
• Remove the oil drain bolt and sealing washer.
• Drain the engine oil completely.
• Install a new sealing washer on the drain bolt.
• Apply engine oil to the drain bolt threads and seating surface.
• Install and tighten the drain bolt with sealing washer to the specified torque: 24 N.m (18 lbf.ft).
• Fill the engine with the recommended engine oil.
• Check the oil level (see below).
• Make sure there are no oil leaks.

Service Manual Instructions - Engine Oil Filter

• Remove the under cowl.
• Drain the engine oil [see above].
• Remove the following: oil filter cover bolts (4), oil filter cover with spring and gasket.
• Remove the oil filter.
• Install the new oil filter with the "OUT-SIDE" mark facing out. Note: installing the oil filter backwards will result in severe engine damage.
• Install the oil filter spring into the oil filter cover.
• Install the oil filter cover with a new gasket.
• Install and tighten the bolts securely. [The CBR250RA Owner's Manual specifies a torque of 12 N.m (9 lbf.ft).]
• Fill the engine with the recommended engine oil.
• Check the oil level (see below).
• Make sure there are no oil leaks.
• Install the under cowl.