How to Change the Oil on a Honda XR 200, 250, 400, or 650 (Engine & Transmission)

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If you’ve got 20-30 minutes, you’ll be able to change the oil on a Honda XR 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.

Honda XR 650 Dirt Bike

Change Engine Oil on a Honda XR

#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

  • 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 torque wrench

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

NOTE 2: Don’t be dork and just empty your motor oil on the ground. The oil pan below is a great way to dispose of oil responsibly.

#3 – Replace the Honda XR 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 XR With Engine Oil

  • Fill the crank case with the appropriate amount
  • Install the fill cap/dipstick

How to Check Engine Oil on a Honda XR Dirt Bike

  • 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

How to Dispose of Used Dirt Bike Oil

Here’s a quick video that’s worth watching. It’s very easy to get rid of used oil.

How to Dispose of Oil

Change Transmission Oil on a Honda XR

#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

  • Remove fill cap from right crankcase cover
  • Place an oil drain pan under bike.
  • Remove transmission oil drain bolt and sealing washer
  • 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 XR 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 XR

  • 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, oil check bolt, sealing washer
  • Inspect oil level and add if needed
  • Tighten oil check bolt with a new sealing washer
  • Inspect O-ring and replace if necessary
  • Reinstall transmission oil fill cap
  • 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 recommend one of these torque wrenches if you don’t own one already. They come in handy and Honda XR dirt bikes oil change interval is fairly often.

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

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