Oil Change Question

[Why Z?]

Going to do my first oil change tonight. Bike is 2007 FSR 450

Drained the oil last night but was unsure of something in the manual.

Where there was a picture of the oil filter taken out, it had a diagram pointing to the filter and the "Seal".

It said "check the seal" and then "replace both "elements" at the same time."
So... my questions:

-Do I have to have more than just the repalcement oil filter? (more parts? OR is this "seal" included in the new filter thingy?
-What happens if I don't "replace the seal"?
-How do I tell if the Seal is good or bad?

Thanks!

Lastly, how do I make sure I don't put in backwards? I have heard people doing this and it is disastrous....what's the key here, I hope its obvious?

[wa_ndro]

the seal is just the rubber gasket around the oil filter cover - it should be ok, just check it for any cracking or twisting.

Put the filter back in the same way it came out - pretty sure the black rubber grommet goes to the outside of the bike from memory.