Kawasaki Oil Filter Cross Reference: All Models & Compatible Brands

Kawasaki uses two completely separate oil filter catalogs. The 16097 series covers motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides and Jet Skis, and crosses to HiFlo HF303, K&N KN-303 and FRAM PH6017A. The 49065 series covers small engines in lawn equipment, and crosses to FRAM PH4967, WIX 51394 and Oregon 83-282.

Getting those two families mixed up is the single most common Kawasaki cross reference mistake. This guide separates them properly, gives the verified specs for each filter size group, and shows you which aftermarket numbers are genuinely equivalent.

What Are the Two Kawasaki Oil Filter Series?

Kawasaki Motors and Kawasaki Engines are different divisions with different part numbering. Their filters are not interchangeable, and they do not even share a thread size.

The 16097 filters use a metric M20 x 1.5 thread. They are physically smaller and are designed around wet-clutch motorcycle engines that share oil between the engine and the transmission.

The 49065 filters use an imperial 3/4"-16 UNF thread. This is the same thread found on countless automotive and small engine spin-on filters, which is why so many brands cross reference into that family.

If a cross reference chart lists the same aftermarket number for both a 16097 and a 49065 Kawasaki part, that chart is wrong. The threads do not match.

Kawasaki 16097 Series: Motorcycle, ATV and Side-by-Side Cross Reference

The 16097 series splits into two main size groups. HiFlo's own catalog is the cleanest way to tell them apart, because HiFlo publishes the exact OEM numbers each of its filters replaces.

Which Kawasaki Models Use the 16097-0008?

The 16097-0008 is the highest-volume Kawasaki powersports filter. Kawasaki's own parts catalog shows it fitting models from 1985 through 2026 across the Ninja, Vulcan, Versys, Z-series, W-series, Brute Force, Prairie, Bayou, KFX and Jet Ski STX and Ultra lines.

The HF303 group covers these Kawasaki OEM numbers:

The HF303 is confirmed by HiFlo as the replacement for all nine of those OEM numbers. K&N lists KN-303 and the chrome KN-303C as its cross for the 16097-0008.

Popular models in this group include the Ninja 300, Ninja 400, Ninja 650, ZX-6R, ZX-10R, ZX-14R, Z650, Z900, Z1000, Versys 650, Versys 1000, Vulcan S, Vulcan 900, Vulcan 1700 and Concours 14.

Which Kawasaki Models Use the 16097-0002 Group?

A second group of 16097 numbers crosses to the HF204 instead. These are mostly older Vulcan cruisers, EX500 and ER-6 models, and several ATV and utility applications.

HiFlo lists the HF204 as the replacement for Kawasaki 16097-0002, 16097-0003, 16097-0007, 16097-1068, 16097-1070 and 16097-1072. The K&N equivalent is the KN-204 series.

The 16097-0007 is the number you will find on many Brute Force 750 and Teryx 800 machines, so ATV and side-by-side owners should check this group first rather than assuming the 16097-0008.

What Filter Does a Mule Pro-FX or Pro-FXT Use?

Neither of the two groups above. Kawasaki's parts catalog specifies the 16097-0010 for the Mule Pro-FX, Pro-FXR and Pro-FXT 812 and 820 platforms. The Mule and Teryx range also uses the 16097-0012 on certain model years.

These two numbers are not covered by the published HF303 or HF204 fitment lists. Confirm the cross reference through a dealer or the manufacturer lookup tool before buying an aftermarket filter for a Mule Pro.

16097 Series Specifications

The FRAM PH6017A is the widest-covering automotive-brand cross into this family, and its published spec sheet gives you the physical dimensions that define the group.

The PH6017A also cross references to WIX 51358 and 51365, NAPA 1358 and 1365, Purolator L14612 and PL14612, and Baldwin B1400 and B7285.

A caution on the FRAM number. The PH6017A fitment list spans both the HF303 and HF204 size groups. That makes it a useful catch-all in a parts store, but it also means you should confirm the physical height against your old filter before installing. Use HiFlo's split as the more precise guide.

Check the Kawasaki 16097-0008 on Amazon

Check the HiFlo HF303 on Amazon

Check the K&N KN-303 on Amazon

Kawasaki 49065 Series: Small Engine Cross Reference

The 49065 series is where most of the online confusion lives. Kawasaki has used more than twenty numbers in this series, and many published charts throw them all into one row. They are actually two distinct filter sizes.

The Tall Filter Group: 49065-7010 and 49065-0724

This is the standard filter for the FH, FD, FR, FS and FX V-twin engines that power commercial and residential mowers.

FRAM's spec sheet confirms the PH4967 as the cross for Kawasaki 49065-7010, 49065-0724, 49065-2078, 49065-2071, 49065-2077, 49065-2075, 49065-2076, 49065-2081, 49065-2068, 49065-2060 and 49065-7004.

Physical specs for this group:

The 49065-0724 is Kawasaki's current number for this size, listed by equipment makers as the FX Series oil filter. It replaced the 49065-7010 in most applications.

Check the Kawasaki 49065-7010 on Amazon

Check the Oregon 83-282 on Amazon

The Short Filter Group: 49065-0721 and 49065-7007

This is the compact filter. It is shorter and wider than the tall group, and it is a completely different part despite sharing the same thread.

The Stens 120-485 covers Kawasaki 49065-0721, 49065-0721BK, 49065-0736, 49065-2076, 49065-2077, 49065-7002 and 49065-7007, which confirms these are all one filter family. The same Stens number also replaces Briggs & Stratton 492932S, and Briggs lists the FRAM PH8170, WIX 57035 and Baldwin B7165 as the crosses for that number.

Physical specs for this group:

The two groups are easy to tell apart by hand. The tall group is about 2.9 inches high and 2.7 inches wide. The short group is about 2.25 inches high and 3 inches wide. Measure your old filter before you order.

Why Do Published Kawasaki Charts Disagree With Each Other?

Because most of them are compiled without checking physical dimensions. I compared several widely circulated 49065 charts against the manufacturer spec sheets and found direct contradictions on the same part number, including one chart that assigned both the tall and short cross references to the 49065-0721.

The reliable method is to work backwards. Start from the aftermarket filter's published spec sheet, confirm which Kawasaki OEM numbers that manufacturer lists, and check that the height and diameter match the filter currently on your engine.

Are Kawasaki OEM Filters Better Than Aftermarket?

Not automatically. The Kawasaki OEM filters in both series are conventional cellulose media spin-ons built to a standard specification. Several aftermarket options match or exceed them.

On the powersports side, the HF303 and KN-303 are the two most widely used replacements. The K&N adds a welded nut on the end cap that lets you remove it with a wrench, which matters on bikes where the filter sits in a tight pocket behind the exhaust.

On the small engine side, the WIX and NAPA Gold options in both size groups use a heavier can and higher burst pressure than the entry-level alternatives. For a commercial mower running all day in dust, that is worth the small price difference.

Using an equivalent aftermarket filter does not void your Kawasaki warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects that right as long as the replacement is not defective and did not cause the failure.

How Often Should You Change a Kawasaki Oil Filter?

The interval depends entirely on which side of the catalog you are on.

Kawasaki small engines call for the first oil change after the first 8 hours of operation, then oil every 100 hours with the filter every 200 hours. Most commercial operators shorten this and replace the filter at every oil change, which costs a few dollars and removes any guesswork.

Kawasaki motorcycles and powersports machines follow the interval in your specific model's owner's manual. On most current street bikes the oil and filter service falls on a fixed mileage schedule, and the filter is replaced at every second oil change on some models. Check your manual rather than applying a generic number.

How to Install a Kawasaki Spin-On Oil Filter

The procedure is the same for both series.

1. Run the engine for two to three minutes to warm the oil, then shut it off and let it settle for five minutes.
2. Position a drain pan under the filter. On motorcycles, expect oil to run down the engine case.
3. Turn the old filter counterclockwise to remove it.
4. Wipe the mounting base clean with a lint-free cloth and confirm the old gasket came off with the filter.
5. Coat the new filter's rubber gasket with a thin film of fresh oil.
6. Thread the new filter on by hand until the gasket just touches the base.
7. Tighten by hand an additional three-quarters of a turn. Do not use a wrench to install.
8. Refill with oil, start the engine, and check for leaks around the gasket before rechecking the level.

Pro tip: A stuck gasket left behind on the mounting base is the number one cause of a blown filter seal. Always run a finger around the base after removal to confirm the old gasket came off.

FAQ

What does a Kawasaki oil filter cross reference to? It depends on the series. Kawasaki 16097 powersports filters cross to HiFlo HF303 or HF204, K&N KN-303 or KN-204, and FRAM PH6017A. Kawasaki 49065 small engine filters cross to FRAM PH4967 and WIX 51394 in the tall size, or FRAM PH8170 and WIX 57035 in the short size.

Is the Kawasaki 49065-0721 the same as the 49065-7010? No. They are different sizes. The 49065-0721 is the short filter at roughly 2.25 inches tall and 3 inches wide, crossing to WIX 57035. The 49065-7010 is the tall filter at roughly 2.9 inches tall and 2.7 inches wide, crossing to WIX 51394. Both use a 3/4"-16 thread, so the wrong one will thread on and still be wrong.

Can I use a car oil filter on a Kawasaki motorcycle? Only if the specs match exactly. Kawasaki 16097 filters use an M20 x 1.5 thread and a 9 to 15 PSI bypass setting, and they must handle wet-clutch oil. The FRAM PH6017A is an automotive-brand filter built to that powersports spec, which is why it works. A random automotive filter with the same thread is not a safe substitute.

What thread size do Kawasaki oil filters use? Kawasaki 16097 powersports filters use a metric M20 x 1.5 thread. Kawasaki 49065 small engine filters use an imperial 3/4"-16 UNF thread. This is the fastest way to confirm you are looking at the correct series before you cross reference anything.

What is the current Kawasaki number for the FX series mower filter? The 49065-0724 is the current FX Series oil filter and replaces the older 49065-7010 in most applications. It crosses to FRAM PH4967, WIX 51394, NAPA Gold 1394, Oregon 83-282 and Stens 120-634.

Does using an aftermarket filter void my Kawasaki warranty? No. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prevents a manufacturer from voiding your warranty for using an equivalent aftermarket filter. Kawasaki would have to prove the specific filter caused the failure, which is not possible for a compliant replacement that meets the same physical and bypass specifications.

Start With the Number on Your Old Filter

Before you order anything, pull the old filter and read the number stamped on the can. That single step eliminates the 16097 versus 49065 confusion and tells you immediately which size group you are in.

Then measure the height and outside diameter and match them against the spec tables above. If your measurements match the tall group, order the PH4967 family. If they match the short group, order the PH8170 family. If it is an M20 x 1.5 thread, you are in the powersports catalog and the HF303 or HF204 is your starting point.

Buy two while you are at it. Filters are the cheapest insurance your engine will ever get.