I use the original from Kawasaki, basically, cos they designed the engine, so its my guess they designed a suitable filter, its not expensive, so why switch to after market version?
For the sake of a couple of pounds/dollars/etc you get peace of mind! A very expensive engine to destroy if the aftermarket filter fails.
Besides, I haven't found any aftermarket filters on the market yet?? I normally use 'Hifiltro' in most other bikes, but as yet, they haven't made them and I don't know why either.
Oh, I'm not trying to save money, I'm looking for the best...a few years ago I read something where the OEM filters were just so-so, and that there were aftermarket filters that filtered out considerably smaller particles and flowed better, longer. I've also heard other stuff about OEM filters too, but not to start a controversy, just thought I'd see what others were using...thanks for the heads up though. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":b">
There are two OEM filters available for the 12. I use the 1070 series. They have the pressure relief valve and I am told that they are superior to the other OEM filter.
They are expensive - $ 12.40 retail a piece (if memory serves me right - I bought 4 at once).
Also, remember to pick up 1 drain plug washer for each oil change.
"You must be fast, 'cause I was haulin' ass when I passed you."</p>
I use the OEM 10-70 filter and change the oil & filter every 1000 miles!!!
Guys, before I try the Scotts oil filter I have to see it before instalation and after a 1000 miles!!!
By the way here, check the website... scottsonline.com, click on roadbikes, kawasaki, then look how much a ZX12 oil filter is!!! I refuse to post it!!!
CrotchRocket
" I just live my life a 1/4 mile at a time "</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub56.ezboard.com/bkawasakizx12r.showLocalUserPublicProfile?login=crotchrocket>CrotchRocket</A>
This is in no way about saving money---oil and filters are cheap compared to conrod bearings etc. but I've been a little distrustful (read paranoid <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"> ) about OEM filters for some time after some stuff I've heard---and let's face it---it isn't *exactly* in their best interest to keep your "old" bike on the road for TOO long heheh.
i don`t know, i spent alot of money on my bike and have a shit load into it,a filter that costs $100 bucks for a bike that cost $10000 and it can be used over and over,and filters better, sounds good to me .
I've got the Scotts filter on my bike and just put over 1000 miles on it. Have changed the oil three times now. Once when I put the filter on, once after 800 miles with PCIIIr and yesterday after dyno mapping run. Filter is working flawlessly and given that it is also high flow should help engine run a little smoother and cooler.
I have examined the debris it catches and inspect the filter itself and clean it, then it's like new again. I think keeping fresh oil in this engine is a worthwhile investment and can get rather costly so I buy my oil in bulk (8 gallons at a time) and I use the Scotts filter. I change it every 1000 miles.
I will probably change oil twice more before summer is over and thus the filter will have half paid for itself in less than a year. It's da bomb!
"I'm the guy your Suzuki dealer warned you about!"</p>
I use oem but i know a guy that just washs his filters out with gasoline on his bikes and cars and uses them over. This same guy cuts links out of his chains when they stretch and grinds his valve shims down to get more clearance instead of replaceing shims. He always runs all his tires into the cords until replaceing them along with myriad other tightwad tactics.
Scott, I've seened that guy on a box of Oatmeal. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol">
For me it wasn't a matter of just saving money. It was a matter of doing what I felt was best for my bike and conveniance as well. The Scotts has smaller openings in the screen but more filter surface area. It filters out smaller particles yet still flows faster. That's gotta keep the enigne running a little smoother and cooler and certainly cleaner. Just my .02. To each his own.
But all 12s rule!
"I'm the guy your Suzuki dealer warned you about!"</p>
Speed... At 800 to 1000 miles the trans becomes notchy while shifting, thats when I know to change the oil...Did the Scotts SS filter make a noticable difference to you??? All your input is much appreciated!!!
I honestly can't say it has made a difference in the trany but then again it's notchy as hell all the time. Kawis are known for that. My rear set helped more than anything to smooth out the shifts (more adjustable).
I change my oil every 1000 miles religously or whenever I can't clearly see through the oil in the inspection glass and see the finger-like metal pins/projections on the bottom half of the glass port. This engines revs so fast and often holds high revs for extended periods so I prefer to keep the oil as clean and pure as possible. This is also why I chose K&N air filters as well. Any hp gain is just gravy on top.
By the way, the Scotts also has a blow out valve just like the OEM filter. I made sure to ask before I bought one.
"I'm the guy your Suzuki dealer warned you about!"</p>
Grinding shims is a major no-no. The grinding marks can cause the shim to shatter at rpm, if that happens you get to find out how much a new top end costs. The guy that does that is not only _really_ cheap, he's not too smart, either....
"You must be fast, 'cause I was haulin' ass when I passed you."</p>
You guys should check out the latest issue of SportRider mag like Harpoone said. They talk about the Scotts filter. I also visited three sites prior to purchasing the Scotts. K&N isn't available yet and they don't mention the filter/flow capacity of their oil filters. (I do like their air filters on my 12 though) Amsoil filters are actually made by Hastings. They offer good filtration as well but the flow is inferrior to the Scotts. The Scotts was the only one I found that offered both high flow and high quality filtration in the same filter. It just happens to be reusable to boot. Good thing, I wouldn't pay that kinda dough for a one timer. Did you notice the high end Scotts filters are more expensive than for smaller bikes? More screen equals more surface area equals more flow equals cooler engine equals more hp and also more $$$ for filter.
"I'm the guy your Suzuki dealer warned you about!"</p>
The P'later filter is readily available and costs half the OEM. I'll happily pay the $12.95 (local pricing) if a clear advantage is proven. It's not the money fellows, it's the feeling of getting butt-f**ked by the parts man I cannot tolerate. For the record, I buy Mobil 1 instead of the $8.00 a quart specific oil too. I'm willing to bet anyone on this board that my exhaust bearings are in just as good a shape as those on a bike running the OEM filters and motorcycle-specific oil too!
</p>
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