XR400 oil and filter change: quick and easy process that I've used for 20+ years on my 400s

While I await more parts for my ongoing XL500 project, I figured I'd release a quick how-to video on the procedure I use for oil changes on my XR400. A pretty simple thing to do, but some people overlook a few steps so hopefully this help those that are new to these bike or maybe just never really knew to begin with.

[@erikeggenbakstad]

I can tell this is routine for you. XR650R rider here, more or less the same procedure changing the oil. Thanks for the upload!

[@AREALAMERICAN]

Just got a 97 400 myself few months ago and I'm changing the oil for the first time. Thanks for the video and about the screen on the bottom.I never knew that was there 🤘🤘🤘

[@Garage2Trail]

Awesome! It’s easy to overlook. Glad to help!

[@christopherweltmer4227]

I just got a 97 as well. Been sitting for 6 years so I’ve got my work cut out for me

[@Garage2Trail]

@@christopherweltmer4227 once you get it going, you’ll be hooked riding it. They are awesome all around bikes.

[@christopherweltmer4227]

@@Garage2Trail I picked it up for 500 bucks lol

[@Garage2Trail]

@christopherweltmer4227 man, that’s a steal! Is it in decent shape?

[@danielbridgewater3444]

The mighty XR400R. Best trail bike ever made. I will never part with mine. I love it way to much.

[@Garage2Trail]

I’ll never sell mine either!

[@kennymacm3031]

Thanks for posting, I’m picking up an ‘02 soon and can’t wait. I’ll be maintaining it myself and this is a great help

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks for watching! You’ll love that bike. I have a modern 300cc 2stroke and still find the 400 one of my favorite bikes. It just does everything while asking for just basic maintenance. Never left me stranded.

[@wattie1050]

Good job ,exact way I do my own 👍 the screen I only take off every year or so now as it sheared at the banjo hole first time I removed it ! And it's always been spotless anyway . 10/40 oil as well every 1000 kms .I find mine is bang on with 2 litres of new oil ..,great clear instructive video 👍👍

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! Yeah it’s pretty rare I find anything in the screen as well. Might be due to the frequency of changes I do. Wow, that thing must have been frozen in there to sheer off for you!

[@will400r]

I have an 04. I absolutely love the thing I bought it brand new late in '03.

[@tonybogle5922]

You have just shown me things about my 400 i didnt even know thanks mate great education.

[@Garage2Trail]

My pleasure! Out of curiosity, what was it that I was able to inform you on?

[@tonybogle5922]

@@Garage2Trail Hey it was the filter on the frame i just used to undo the main one. That was it, after watching what you did i couldnt beleive how much oil come out of the frame drain and the steel filter i will be following your lead when i do my next service cheers.

[@Garage2Trail]

@@tonybogle5922 good to hear! i usually only check that every other oil change, but it does catch some gunk from time to time.

[@tonybogle5922]

@@Garage2Trail Thankyou for taking the time to show others how you do it it has helped me a lot and the way you did everything and your explenations were spot on and easy to understand cheers mate from australia

[@Garage2Trail]

I appreciate that! Glad to know I was able to help out a fellow XR owner!

[@nsobs]

this is GOLD, thank you :) keep bringing this maintenance vids of the XR400R please

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks for watching! At some point (not sure when) I'll proabably be rebuilding the top end on my '98 which has never been opened up! Might be a cool video to do to see what a 25 year old motor looks like and what kind of wear we see. The bike still runs great and doesnt smoke so it cant be much!

[@nsobs]

@@Garage2Trail that would be awesome 🤓 I know it can be too much of asking but a video on the Gordon mods would be amazing. I know there are a lot of written articles about it (carb jet, muffler holes, air filter snorkel, etc) but I can't find actually videos of people going through the process of this upgrade mods, thoroughly. Would be very helpful.

[@bradrussell624]

Sweet XR400R and thorough job, I've got XR600R since 1991, still original, never say die thumpers, cheers :).

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! I’ve been looking for an XR600 to add to the stable but they are hard to come by. I’ll never sell these bikes!

[@bradrussell624]

Thanks, truly hope you find one soon@@Garage2Trail

[@lydwood]

Great bike, I’ve owned mine since new in 1998.

[@Garage2Trail]

I’ll never sell my ‘98 either!

[@that1guydoesthings]

Thanks, nice to the point video. Off to change my oil I go.

[@Garage2Trail]

Glad to be able to help!

[@andycockersole8739]

Excellent video, thank you very much 👍👍

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! Glad I could help in any way

[@ericc90]

Good stuff to know, I had no idea about that screen! Just bought my first xr400 and love it! Was wondering are you running stock gearing on both your 400's?

[@Garage2Trail]

Awesome! Glad to help. I’m running the stock gearing on my 2001 since I use that on the road to get from trail to trail but the 98 has a 14 tooth up front. Works great in super tight and technical stuff but takes away top end speed of course.

[@ericc90]

Sweet good to know, I'll probably leave it stock then since I'm plating this 400. Pretty much using it to get from my house to the trails, so little road use. Thanks!

[@Garage2Trail]

Perfect! It works great up until about 50-55 and then after that you are revving it’s guts out but I just stick to back roads and it works great. Enjoy the bike!

[@kerryenele660]

XR's ONLY (FB) takes me here. Thanks for the video. Anyways I wanted to use LED lights on my 04 XR250, I was wondering if you can show how to install a battery for my lights. Thanks

[@Garage2Trail]

Hi Kerry, the LED tail light you see on the red 2001 is actually part of the Tusk dual sport kit you can get from rockymountainatvmc.com. It’s a standalone kit that has its own rechargeable battery that I have tucked right above the airbox and doesn’t need recharged all that much since I just use the lights to get from trail to trail so I just turn them off when I get off the road.

[@FloridaDualSport]

Good video! I have a 2003 which i never plan on selling. My only issue is, checking the oil is always a pain. Sometimes it shows, somtimes it doesnt. Any tips. Thx

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! Yes, I agree…I find that you really gotta let it get up to or close to operating temp to get a good reading. Sometimes I’ll take it for a light ride up and down the road for a bit to warm it up then let it idle on a flat surface for a good 5 mins.

[@dirtbikeadv]

Great vid mate. How do U keep your exhaust headers so clean they have a nice finish

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! I just make sure to use a brush on the header after a ride when power washing it. Comes off east if you get it in time.

[@VenturiMotorWorks]

Love your bike and videos. Great information. What tyres do you run on your XRs? I ride similar to you in woodland and a little on road. Thanks ! Tom.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks Tom! I’ve been running the Tusk Recon Hybrids which are on the softer side but hold up decently on the roads and are excellent in the woods. However I am very easy on them when on the street and I don’t do many road miles and they last an entire season. The roads I hit are mainly to get from one second of trail to the next. They even lasted a full summer on my XR650R and that thing eats tires like crazy although I’m on my 400s a bit more.

[@kc135cruechief3]

What personal interval do you use for an oil change on the 400?

[@Garage2Trail]

I kinda go by what kind of riding I’ve been doing, how hard I feel like I’ve ridden the bike and if I’ve been in any dust. I’ve never really gone by mileage or the trip meter. Dusty rides I usually change more frequently. If I’m casually trail riding I let it go longer but if I’m riding hard with a group of people I’ll change it more frequently. I know that’s a vague answer and I’ve probably changed it earlier than I’ve needed to sometimes, but I always figure it’s cheaper to pay for a little more oil and a filter than have to rebuild the engine. It’s worked for me. The engine on my 98 has never needed to be opened up and I’ve had it since 1999.

[@markward6076]

Do you live the white version as well ? I don't know if its a different engine configuration or frame or handles differently. I want your opinion. Thanks.

[@Garage2Trail]

They are the same exact bike…just a color difference. I’m partial to the white as you don’t seem to see as many in that color now.

[@jasonodeorain366]

On point video. Regular service nice seeing a bike so well looked after. I’m looking to buy a Honda at moment a 1999 xr 400 or 2014 crf 450x , can’t make my mind up. both are road legal . There not to many dirt trails where I live so will be doing a good bit of road riding. Would you have any advice to which would be best suited.

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! I really can’t speak for the 450x but I can almost say for sure the XR400 would be less maintenance over the CRF. Final drive gearing can be changed to help the XR out on the top speed end of things too. I like my XR400 for long rides and the seat is super comfortable. Even with the lower gearing it’s very streetable but I’m only hitting roads up to 45mph. A gearing change would be needed if I were to do highway speeds though.

[@jasonodeorain366]

@@Garage2Trail thanks for your reply. Unfortunately the xr was sold . Will have to wait awhile for another one to show up for sale not to many of them for sale where I live Iwill be wort the wait. Thanks happy riding.

[@Garage2Trail]

Ahh bummer! They don’t pop up often and you have to jump on them quick. Happy hunting!

[@eloyex]

Wonderful ..! 🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@joeldude1]

Thanks so much👍🌟

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks for watching!

[@adildewji]

Thank you!

[@bradrush45]

Great video, thanks. Is the transmission oil separate?

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! No the bike has a dry sump setup as most of the oil is in the frame but it all gets circulated through and the clutch/transmission uses the same oil as the top end of the motor.

[@bradrush45]

@@Garage2Trail Thank you

[@xrgreg]

Great video. Where do you get your parts ?

[@Garage2Trail]

Thank you! Filters I get off of Rocky Mountain atv mc. Other hard to find stuff off partzilla or eBay. There is still a lot available for the xr400 though.

[@sun6v546]

❤❤❤❤❤❤............... the bike , Mate ......

[@Garage2Trail]

Thanks!

[@rippinmachines]

What is the gearing on your bike? I notice you don't have the front sprocket cover on so I suspect it must be larger than 15T.

[@Garage2Trail]

It’s the stock 15 up front. I just have a case saver installed and removed the stock cover as it traps mud and weeds so easily. Stock 45 out back too

[@rippinmachines]

@@Garage2Trail Same gearing as mine. I find it's great off-road but the gearing isn't great on for street riding.

[@Garage2Trail]

I agree. It’s good for about 45mph but luckily all my road riding is backroads to get from trail to trail. I wouldn’t want to give up any low end grunt so I just leave it

[@germball96]

Wish my xr sounded smooth like that. Mine needs looking at. As it rattles on tickover.

[@Garage2Trail]

Maybe needs a valve adjustment or your cam chain may be worn. A little ticking is ok though.

[@germball96]

@@Garage2Trail valves are done on it. Like you say could be the cam chain tensioner? Or could of done some engine damage as i was riding around with very low engine oil. Dads an engineer luckily so he will strip it down 👌

[@mjrybread]

Does the xr 250 have that screen also

[@Garage2Trail]

I believe so…I think 96 models on. The ones that carry oil in the frame.

[@hebalott]

How ofen do you change oil and how ofen is a piston chang

[@Garage2Trail]

Depends how much I’m riding but I’ll usually change oil after every 3 or 4 hard rides. If it’s dusty out I’ll do it sooner. As for the piston, I’ve yet to do one in the 400. In fact, my 98 400 is till on the original top end and still runs great!

[@andressabat6006]

Napaka ganda walang nilabas sa pilipinas mga yan xr 400 xr 600 . Meron lang xr 200 lang

[@markward6076]

Oops, I meant like.

[@eloyex]

Why all of you call them "pig" ..? 😅😅 may i know .?

[@Garage2Trail]

I normally don’t but it’s out of affection…they are on the heavy side but I still love them lol 🐷