I am thinking about flushing my system this spring. When is the recommended coolant change? I have about 6500 miles, and I bet I am overdue...

My service manual for the 07 Z1000 says every 3 years or 24,000 miles.

However, I went ahead and replaced my coolant with Engine Ice last year after only putting on about 6500 miles.

You should have your valves checked and/or adjusted at 15,000 miles, at which point you will have to drain your coolant.

i change mine every 2 years. same time i change my plugs.

Ok, cool, I will have to do it this year. I probably don't need it at 6500 miles, but I just finished the 636 swap and changed the brake fluid over, so it is a good time to start fresh with all fluids...

Yes, fresh fluids, German beer and Jim Beam.

When to change coolant

...when it loses that Lemon-Lime flavor...

What does everyone use for coolant after it looses the lemon-lime flavor?

I actually splurged and bought Kawasaki anti-freeze last fall. On my previous bike (Honda) I used Toyota Long Life anti-freeze that I had lying around for my wife's Celica. I think anything without silicates would be OK. That includes Honda's anti-freeze. Silicates seem to be hard on some water pump seals. I mix the anti-freeze with 50% distilled water.

ABCDEFG, HIJKLMNOP, QRSTU and V, WX, Y and Z

thx richard314

Originally Posted by pcw1205

I am thinking about flushing my system this spring. When is the recommended coolant change? I have about 6500 miles, and I bet I am overdue...

Cooling System Flushing
Over a period of time, the cooling system accumulates
rust, scale, and lime in the water jacket and radiator. When
this accumulation is suspected or observed, flush the cooling
system. If this accumulation is not removed, it will clog
up the water passage and considerable reduce the efficiency
of the cooling system. •Drain the cooling system (see Coolant Change in the Periodic
Maintenance chapter). •Fill the cooling system with fresh water mixed with a flushing
compound.
CAUTION
Do not use a flushing compound which is harmful to
the aluminum engine and radiator. Carefully follow
the instructions supplied by the manufacturer of the
cleaning product.
•Warm up the engine, and run it at normal operating temperature
for about ten minutes. •Stop the engine, and drain the cooling system. •Fill the system with fresh water. •Warm up the engine and drain the system. •Repeat the previous two steps once more. •Fill the system with a permanent type coolant and bleed
the air from the system (see Coolant Change in the Periodic
Maintenance chapter).

Coolant Change
WARNING
To avoid burns, do not remove the radiator cap or
try to change the coolant when the engine is still
hot. Wait until it cools down. Coolant on tires will
make them slippery and can cause an accident
and injury. Immediately wipe up or wash away any
coolant that spills on the frame, engine, or other
painted parts.
Since coolant is harmful to the human body, do not
use for drinking.
•Remove the left lower fairing (see Lower Fairing Removal
in the Frame chapter). •Place a container under the coolant drain bolt [A], then
remove the drain bolt.
•Remove the fuel tank (see Fuel Tank Removal in the Fuel
System (DFI) chapter). •Remove the radiator cap [A] in two steps. First turn the
cap counterclockwise to the first stop. Then push and turn
it further in the same direction and remove the cap.
○The coolant will drain from the radiator and engine.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE 2-59
Periodic Maintenance Procedures
•Remove:
Right Seat Cover (see Seat Cover Removal in the Frame
chapter)
Hose [A]
Reserve Tank Bolts [B] •Turn over the reserve tank, remove the cap, and pour the
coolant into a suitable container. •Install the reserve tank. •Tighten:
Torque - Reserve Tank Bolts: 9.8 N·m (1.0 kgf·m, 87 in·lb)
•Tighten the drain bolt with the gasket.
○Replace the drain bolt gasket with a new one.
Torque - Coolant Drain Bolt (Water Pump): 11 N·m (1.1
kgf·m, 97 in·lb)
•When filling the coolant, choose a suitable mixture ratio
by referring to the coolant manufacturer’s directions.
CAUTION
Soft or distilled water must be used with the antifreeze
in the cooling system.
If hard water is used in the system, it causes scales
accumulation in the water passages, and considerably
reduces the efficiency of the cooling system.
Water and Coolant Mixture Ratio (Recommended)
Soft Water: 50%
Coolant: 50%
Freezing Point: –35°C (–31°F)
Total Amount: 2.9 L (3.1 US qt)
•Fill the radiator up to the filler neck [A] with coolant.
NOTE
○Pour in the coolant slowly so that it can expel the air
from the engine and radiator.
•Check the cooling system for leaks. •Tap the radiator hoses to force any air bubbles caught
inside. •Fill the radiator up to the filler neck with coolant.
•Fill the reserve tank up to the “F” (full) level line [A] with
coolant and install the cap [B]. •Install the fuel tank (see Fuel Tank Installation in the Fuel
System (DFI) chapter). •Start the engine, warm it up thoroughly until the radiator
fan turns on and then stop the engine. •Check the coolant level in the reserve tank after the engine
cools down.
If the coolant level is lower than the “L” (low) level line [C],
add coolant to the “F” level line.
CAUTION
Do not add more coolant above the “F” level line.

This is awesome! Its like having the manual on the pc! Thanks!

Originally Posted by pcw1205

This is awesome! Its like having the manual on the pc! Thanks!

Look around the manual is online in pdf form.

Save you the trouble

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7227846/Servicemanual-z1000

I think on my 08 Z1K thjey call for 24K miles, but I might have it done at the 15K service just to be safe.