How to Change the Oil on a Honda CRF Dirt Bike (150, 250, 450)

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If you’ve got 20-30 minutes, you’ll be able to change the oil on a Honda CRF dirt bike. It’s surprisingly easy and there are only a handful of tools that you’ll need. There are a couple of things you need to look out for, but I’ll cover that in the outlined steps below.

Also, the steps are the same for the Honda CRF450r, 250r, and 150r dirt bikes. To be 100% honest, I’m not positive that these steps are the same for the Honda CRF250X, CRF250L, or the CRF450X or the CRF 250X. If I were to guess, I would think that they are the same, but just double check.

Change Engine Oil on a Honda CRF Dirt Bike

#1 – Warmup the Engine Oil

  • Start your dirt bike and let idle for 3 minutes, then shut off
  • Turn off and stand bike up, making sure it is level

#2 – Drain the Oil

How to Change Oil in Honda Dirt Bike

  • Remove the engine oil fill cap/dipstick
  • Place an oil pan under the engine
  • Remove drain bolt and sealing washer
  • Holding the kill-switch: kick the bike over 5 times (or so) to completely drain oil
  • Apply a bit of oil to the drain bolt  threads and sealing washer and reapply using a good torque wrench

NOTE: We’re not filling it up just yet, so don’t worry about it now.

#3 – Replace the Honda CRF Dirt Bike Oil Filter

Honda Dirt Bike Oil Filter

  • Remove the oil filter
    • You probably have an engine guard covering the filter cover – remove both
  • Carefully remove the filter, O-ring and spring
  • Apply a little grease to the end of the spring on the filter side and then put the spring in the new filter
  • Place the spring against the engine and install the new filter with the rubber seal facing out
    • Should be a side marked “OUT-SIDE”
  • Add oil to the O-ring (might need a new one if worn or damaged) and install the filter cover and engine guard (again, using a torque wrench)

#4 – Fill Honda CRF With Engine Oil

  • Fill the crank case with the appropriate amount (.66 qt after changing oil and filter… for the CRF450)
  • Install the fill cap/dipstick

How to Check Engine Oil on a Honda CRF Dirt Bike

Dirt Bike Oil Dipstick

  • Start your bike and let idle for 3 minutes
  • Turn off and let sit/cool off for 3 minutes
  • While letting it cool off, make sure your bike is standing straight up (level)
  • Remove the fill cap (it’s also the dipstick) and wipe the dipstick clean with clean rag or shop towel
  • Insert the dipstick back in WITHOUT screwing it in and then remove and check level
    • If the oil is at or above the upper level, do not add oil
    • If the oil is at or below the lower level, add oil (do not overfill)
  • Reinstall the fill cap/dipstick

NOTE: Don’t be dork and just empty your motor oil on the ground. Pour oil into a suitable container and dispose of responsibly. (The oil pan below is a great way to dispose of the oil easily.)

Change Transmission Oil on a Honda CRF Dirt Bike

#1 – Warmup the Transmission Oil

  • Start your dirt bike and let idle for 3 minutes
  • Turn off and stand bike up, making sure it is level
  • Wait 3 minutes for oil to settle

#2 – Drain the Oil

Honda Drain Bolt

  • Remove fill cap (#1) from right crankcase cover
  • Place an oil drain pan under bike.
  • Remove transmission oil drain bolt (#2) and sealing washer (#3)
  • Once drained, apply engine oil to drain bolt threads and seating surface, then tighten with new sealing washing to 12 lbf•ft

#3 – Fill Honda CRF With Transmission Oil

  • Fill crankcase with recommended oil
  • Install transmission oil fill cap
  • Check transmission oil level (see below steps)

How to Check Transmission Oil on a Honda CRF Dirt Bike

Honda Dirt Bike Transmission Oil

  • Start your bike and let idle for 3 minutes
  • Turn off and let sit/cool off for 3 minutes
  • While letting it cool off, make sure your bike is standing straight up (level)
  • Remove the transmission oil fill cap (#1 in picture), oil check bolt (#2 in picture), sealing washer (#3 in picture)
  • Inspect oil level and add if needed
  • Tighten oil check bolt (#2) with a new sealing washer (#3) to 9 lbf•ft
  • Inspect O-ring and replace if necessary
  • Reinstall transmission oil fill cap (#1)
  • Check for leaks

What You’ll Need (and SHOULD Have)

As mentioned above, there are only a handful of tools that you need… and some you really should have, but don’t technically “need” them.

I would recommend grabbing a torque wrench if you don’t already have one. It’ll come in handy more often than you may realize and Honda CRF dirt bikes oil change interval is every 15 hours.

Here’s the list of Honda CRF dirt bike oil changing tools:

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