Oil

[jenndnn3]

Gettin ready to change the oil on the 350x and 200x, which would you recommend? Also I've seen some things about the gas you put into them was wonderin does it really matter which octane you use, and why? thanx Jen

[Matt_200s]

For oil I just use what it says in the owners manual. For gas I just use regular because it's cheaper than everything else and it dosen't seem to be hurting anything. Don't forget to change the filter.

[Unregistered]

Hi Jenndnn3,
I'm using BelRay EXL 20W50 right now in my 200X and I'm happy with it. Using their 15W fork oil too. No problems so far... :D
I decided to go with 20W50 mainly because I noticed that the Penzoil 10W40 wasn't dealing with the punishment very well. I only used it because the previous owner did and recommended it, and the engine rebuild was still fresh. Anyway, it seemed to be breaking down really fast, it was real thin when I drained it each time, like water almost! I am wondering if a lot of gas has been getting past the rings causing the oil to thin so much, but I'm running kinda lean right now and I never have to use the choke (She fires right up cold with one kick! :headbang:) No probs so far with the 20W50 though - it's holding up nicely.
So far the BelRay EXL stuff is perfect, although I didn't try the 10W40 yet. I may in the coming winter months but probably won't...

I can't wait to see the huge debate this thread will start! lol ;) :D

[Kingsnake]

Damn! I got logged out again! Weird - it only happens if I take to long to post a thread or reply - I stay logged in forever if I'm just browsing and reading the board...

Anyway, that was me "unregistered"...

I forgot to mention gas - I'm running 100LL avgas, but only because of the high compression piston. If your trikes are still stock, stick with Super unleaded pump gas. The few extra octane isn't going to make that big of a difference and at $2.45 a gallon, avgas is not cheap! :eek:

-Sean

[jenndnn3]

Thanx ...... Kingsnake Go into user cp on front pg, edit, and change your cookies to yes...then it should stop loggin you out. We use the highest octane in the quads cause the manuals recommend it. But I have seen somewhere (don't ask me) That changin octanes on the older ones can hurt them. I wasn't sure if this was a bunch of mularcky or not. Thats why the ?'s. For convience I would like to stick with same octanes all around. Our gas isn't that bad I think not over $2. But not sure haven't really paid attention. These are stock (as far as I Know). Jen

[Kingsnake]

Thanks for the tip, Jenn - just changed the cookie option. Let's hope that does the trick! :D

Oh, and Fuzzy, your avatar inspired me! :D I hope you don't mind!:cool:

[250sx]

Just make sure that whatever oil you use, it's gotta be for motorcycles. DON'T use car oil! :nono: :eek:

[83Atc250R]

Use Cam2 we have 55 gallon drums in garage for our race car. I used to use it in my dirtbike run a tank or regular then run that. You'll be like dang sooo much power but its $4.50 a gallon.:headbang:

[dads]

I use castrol gtx 20-50 in my SX summer , 10-30 winter .
regular gas seems the work, trail rideing i would not notic any change in performance. if it pinged i would use a higher octain gas.

[Fuzzy]

Originally posted by Kingsnake

Oh, and Fuzzy, your avatar inspired me! :D I hope you don't mind!:cool:


LOL no problem. Thats a good pic :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

[ATC_250SX]

UMMMMM. Question, why shouldent i use car oil? 10W30 is all the same motorcycle or car. right? and if not id like to know why. but right know i have some good old amale. its sorta thick but my dad got it at work and its got some special "anti wear" additive. so im rinning that, oh and it was also free. but ill have to change to thinner in the winter. this stuff will be way to thick in the winter.

[Levi]

Car oils have friction modifiers, which will build on clutch components.

Most motorcycle oils are friction modifier free.

[Levi]

All I can say is: Buy the best. Amsoil.

Yes, it's expensive, but most trikes take less than 2 quarts. Cheap insurance.

I use Amsoil 10w-40 Motorcycle engine oil in all three of my trikes, Amsoil 0w-40 in my Polaris, Amsoil 0w-30 in my truck, Amsoil in the weedeater, Amsoil in everything.

[Levi]

Some good reading on oil:

Synthetic Oil: Rx for Long Engine Life by Curt Scott (http://mr2.com/TEXT/synth_oil.txt)

[dads]

Or you can check out www.amsoil.com for all your synthetic needs. :thumbsup:

[atc330r]

jenn. all wedo is run in the ore dunes. only use high octane fuel. when down here ( reedsport) stop at n.p.a. auto parts there room in the back for long rigs to turn around. anyway it,s 76 race fuel 130 leaded. no additives. av gas has the additives plus its oxgenated. the race fuel is straight gas. your bike will run much stronger, cleaner, start quicker, best of all much cooler engine temp. we use this fuel in 2 cycle and 4cycle engines. it will also last longer than pump gas. dont use k & s race fuel it has a lot of add on,s. thats what you hear about. its worth the money

[jenndnn3]

So it is ok then to use synthetic oil? How often do you change your oils? As far as gas is concerned then the only reason for each upgrade in octane is because of faster better performance then? Basically makin the the bike faster? Thanx Jen

[Matt_200s]

Check your oil and when it needs it change it.

[Benny]

Like Levi I use Amsoil in everything I own. If you have to mix gas in anything their 2 stroke oil is the best stuff out there. Amsoil has extended drain intervels ex. In a car you should change a petroleum oil about every 3000 or so and a filter every time...with Amsoil I change my oil every 25,000 or 1 year and do just a filter change about halfway thru. So if you put it in you wheelers..ya, you pay more up front( around $5.70 a qt.) But you don't have to change it nearly as much. I ride my 350x on average every other weekend for about 3-4 hours at a time and I change once a year...mostly because I winterize in the winter.

Hope that helps a little. Go to the Amsoil site...they have lots of info.

[Dirtsquirt]

ok, to clear some things up here....


DO NOT USE ANY SYNTHETIC OIL IN HONDA 4-STROKE ATC's. The synthetic blend of the oil causes the clutch to slip.

I only use Honda oil, 10-40wt, in my 4-stroke trikes. Comes in a black bottle with red lettering.


Really good stuff and it is what Honda recommends.

I try to change the oil every other trip or sooner if the bikes were ridden hard. (probably every 35-40 hours)

As for fuel pump gas is your best bet. I like running super because it isn't too much more expensive than the others, and the trikes don't burn much anyhow.


Unless you have detonation or a hi compression motor you don't need Av or the alternative (race)

I'm not even going to get into the race vs. Av debate. But the bottom line is Av is the way to go.


-Dirtsquirt

[YamaChuck]

I have used 20-50w Castrol Syntec blend in my 225 DR for two years now. Now we're talking about an 18 year old trike that is completely stock other than tires and a DG pipe. I've just passed the 1000 mile barrier since I've had it and it hasn't had one problem at all. NOT ONE! All this talk about motorcycle oil just doesn't convince me. I say use a good synthetic blend and keep it clean. Full synthetic may make your wet clutch slip. In fact, I run the Syntec blend in all my trikes. No prob!

[Black Sheep]

auto oil is made for low rpm engines used on street conditions with motor tolerances that are not nearly as tight as a high rpm engines used in the dirt as well as use the same oil for the motor tranny,and clutch. yes you can use auto oil and if you change it on a regular basis it will do fine however it is not the best oil to use motorcycle oil is desighned for the higher stress loads a motorycyle motor goes through (when was the last time you held your car wide open pitched it sideways and hit a jump) slipping the clutch a jammin through the gears. synthetic oil will make your clutch slip if you feather your clutch a lot (don't believe me try racing a 125 in a 45min moto on a hilly track like unadilla.) but the bigest differance is when you take a motor apart. a motor that has been run on auto oil will have a sluddgy residue all throught the motor a motor that has been run on m/c oil will be clean and sludge free.

[Levi]

I'll correct myself. Don't use sythetic car oil, use sythetic motorcycle oil.

Synthetic oil alone will not cause your clutch to slip, it's the friction modifiers/additives they use in synthetic/pertolium car oils (ie. graphite) that will cause your clutch to slip.

[jenndnn3]

Thanx For the clear-up on the synthetic, that's what I thought. For now I put in A Motorcycle(for you Dan) 4-Cycle 10w40 We will See how it holds up. Sorry boys it wasn't Amsoil But will check Into it later. I change very Frequently..... As far as gas I will stick with the Super High Octane at the pump. My Kids quads call for it and I havn't seen anything connvincing me to do otherwise. Thanx For the excellent input guys. Jen

[ZORAKF150]

I WOULD RECOMEND CASE 15W40 MOTOR OIL, IT'S FOR DIESEL ENGINES, BUT I PUT IT IN EVERYTHING I OWN, FROM MY PUSH MOWER TO MY BULLDOZER. YOU CAN GET IT AT ANY CASE DEALERSHIP... GOOD STUFF!!! AND GAS, I USE THE PRIEMEUM, I FIND THAT IT BURNS BETTER & PLUS ITS HIGHER OCTANE. I'M ALSO A MECHANIC BUY TRADE ON CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT.