There is a pain in the butt spring which goes fits against the back of the filter against the motor. It and the filter are horizontal, leading to the spring falling away as you put it in. Some folks actually lay the bike down to get it in.
Someone here posted about threading dental floss thru the spring to keep it against the filter until its in place, then pull the floss out. works great, you'll see what i mean when you try it.

 

So you are at 40 miles already? Because that's the best time for the first oil change. I did mine at 40 then 100, then 500 and now every 3000.

 

I may try the dental floss trick.

I followed the manual and used a dab of fresh grease to hold the spring in place, then slid the filter in. That worked fine for me.

 

True story.

My local WallyWorld was remodeled last summer and now carries zilch for bikes. Can't remember exactly but I think the K&N's come with the o-ring.

And bag dental floss, just open up one end of the spring so that it stays in place when you put the filter over it. All it takes is a pair of needlenose pliers and some patience but it's not hard to do

 

+1. I've been doing the grease-blob trick but even that takes a little patience. I'll be bending that spring when I change my oil (soon, too. Damn I put way too many miles on this poor bike... over 8K and counting....)

 

Becareful with Fram filters,, I bought one for the 09 and it was not a right size,, but that was when the 09 pretty much was still new,, and the box said it was for 06-09 so just be careful.. I go to the dealer and by them now

heres the ol Thread https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum...t=Filter+Wrong

 

I use the house brand "Tusk" oil fliters from Rockymountainatv- they work just fine and cost just $3.

 

+1 on opening up one end of the spring. Should have come this way from the factory. Give the end of the spring a little bend, to make that end's diameter larger, and you'll never have to monkey with it again.

 

+1 Bending the spring is the best mod ever, it takes 2 seconds and is absolutley free.

 

Thanks! I just ordered two of them.