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Gen 5 zx10r oil filter, change?

13989 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  bun1t
Whats going on guys. 2016 zx10r just did an oil change at 50 miles and put on a Hi Flo 303, and saw on a few forums and probably this one before I joined that the gen 5 zx10r has a new oem filter part number. 16097-0011. having found out the new filter has an upgraded spring and or valve of some sort I began to search more on the top because I'm now worried if there will be any problems with oil flow or PSI within the system. On th Hi Flo site they say the hf303 covers the oem filter 16097-0011 AS WELL AS the old part number for the gen 4s 16097-0008...

So now if the 303 covers both those part numbers what is the real difference of the oem 16097-0011 filter compared to the 0008 filter. I called Hi Flo and they said their filters have always had the right spec spring/valve in the filter and Kawasaki had messed up their filters for the 2015 10r by not have the correct junk on the inside, thus making a new part number with the right spring//valve inside. basically my question is by having the Hi Flo 303 filter on my bike that hasn't changed vs having the new part number filter for the gen 5 2016 zx10r's, is this a bad thing or should I stay with oem new part number.. like I said, Hi Flo has great filters and says their 303 meets 2016 specs.. but then how does it meet the gen 4 spec with the part number 16097-0008... because when I go to the dealer I'm sure they will sell me the 0011. more curious and kinda worried is all.

thanks for any input, very basic question sorry for the lengthy post.
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I cannot fathom why you guys just don't simply use the OEM filter with the properly spec'd bypass spring for your engine instead of taking chances with aftermarket parts that may or may not be correct or can even potentially fail causing engine damage or personal injury.


We have enough problems with with these engines already when everything works like it should. Throwing unknowns at the oil system definitely seems like a point of diminishing returns to me.
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I just did my 600 mile oil change and I used a K&N filter. I think that I'll be fine.
Lmao, I got sketched and went to dealer and got 3 filters... $15 and change a filter is insane though. Now atleast I have piece of mind.
K&N filters have a history of seal failures causing oil to gush out resulting in crashes, injury and even fire. It has happened to members of this site and recently to a high profile professional racer which has caused multiple race organizations to ban the use of them at sanctioned events.

MotoAmerica Mandating OEM Oil Filters On Yamaha YZF-R1 Racebikes

CVMA Banning All Aftermarket Oil Filters
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Order them from an online dealer like ronayers.com. $10.98/each plus shipping. But you may be able to order them in bulk or combine with other goodies for free shipping. :wink:

Yeah, and the K&N ones are not good like LDH said. Everyone is crazy about the nut on the top of the thing, but people are just nuts. :headshake:
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K&N filters have a history of seal failures causing oil to gush out resulting in crashes, injury and even fire. It has happened to members of this site and recently to a high profile professional racer which has caused multiple race organizations to ban the use of them at sanctioned events.

MotoAmerica Mandating OEM Oil Filters On Yamaha YZF-R1 Racebikes

CVMA Banning All Aftermarket Oil Filters
WOW... I didn't know that. :surprise: I think that I'll get a different filter. I ran one a few times on my Gen 3 with no issues, but that is crazy.
Could the problem be from over tightening them? I know the service manual calls for 13 lb/ft torque on the filter which seems a bit much. I always just went a 1/4 turn past contact of the o-ring.
AFAIK Hi Flo make filters for K&N who weld a nut on top and sell for double the price

OEM filters are made in China

I've used Hi Flo in the past with no problems, but I did have a Champion filter split open once on my R6 whilst riding back from the TT in 2010. Luckily a mate spotted the oil leak (on the motorway) and a potential disaster was averted :surprise:
I made a bulk purchase on eBay for 6 OEM filters and they came out to be 10/pop. Same for oil, Mobil 1 10W-40 Race T for $10/quart. Happy as Larry.
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I just dont get that the new oem is better in some way than the old one??

hiflo used to make KN now they dont.
I made a bulk purchase on eBay for 6 OEM filters and they came out to be 10/pop. Same for oil, Mobil 1 10W-40 Race T for $10/quart. Happy as Larry.
There is a jazz song on a pool game that I play called Happy as Larry. Is that a common expression?
There is a jazz song on a pool game that I play called Happy as Larry. Is that a common expression?
I picked it up from a Brit, so perhaps it is in UK :)
Order them from an online dealer like ronayers.com. $10.98/each plus shipping. But you may be able to order them in bulk or combine with other goodies for free shipping. :wink:

Yeah, and the K&N ones are not good like LDH said. Everyone is crazy about the nut on the top of the thing, but people are just nuts. :headshake:
And the stupid nut often rounds off or completely comes off when trying to remove the filter.

Check with your dealer, guys - mine will price match anything I can find on the web as long as I bring them a PDF or printout with the part number and price for verification. They save the time not having to look it up, and keep my local business. I have to pay tax, but not shipping so it's pretty much a wash, or better. And I can usually get my parts within a couple days. OEM filters for less than $10 at PartShark.com.

Even if you're paying $15, I can't follow the logic of risking engine failure to save $5 per oil change. smh.
K&N filters have a history of seal failures causing oil to gush out resulting in crashes, injury and even fire. It has happened to members of this site and recently to a high profile professional racer which has caused multiple race organizations to ban the use of them at sanctioned events.

MotoAmerica Mandating OEM Oil Filters On Yamaha YZF-R1 Racebikes

CVMA Banning All Aftermarket Oil Filters
To add to that, I've seen 4 premature engine failures this past year and they all had K&N oil filters. Coincidence or not, that's enough to keep me from using them.

Another thing I forgot, when an engine is being claimed under warranty (by manufacturer or third party company) they always ask what kind of oil filter. Even if they are the same as OEM, do you want to foot the bill because you saved $3.99 on an oil filter?
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