new here quetion about oil

[Bryan Nisky]

my friend nick bieniek recomended me here. and i was wondering what everyone is running for oil for the summer? cuz im running 20/50 and nicks running 10/40. what would be better?

[06YFZ45racer]

20w50 is heavier (thicker) viscosity which is good for winter 10w40 is a little thinner viscosity.

I dont really think either one is better then the other

[Jeremy]

I think you meant 10w40 is better for winter Eric.

To answer your question Bryan, there are plenty of people that run 20w50 year round in Arizona, especially in machines like ours that we tend to run very hard. Me personally, I do sometimes go to a lighter weight oil for the winter. The 20w50 is pretty thick in the winter and I like knowing the 10w is protecting a little more on startups.

I run a 5w40 right now. It is Shell Rotella T synthetic. REadily available at Walmart and even truck stops. Its really good stuff. I researched quite a long time before I switched to it. It does not contain moly which would make it suitable for your LTR which (unfortunately) shares engine and tranny oil. Moly is a friction additive that is great for engines, but will toast a clutch since obviously you don't want anything too "slick" over there.

[Jeremy]

Here is what he Shell Rotella T bottle looks like for the 5w40 synthetic.



As I said, readily available from Walmart. Its like $15/gallon if I remember right.

And here is a link to the wiki for the oil that hints towards the motorcycle world catching wind of how good this oil is. Read at the bottom - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_Rotella_T

[Prednizone]

Hey, I'm using Amsoil 10W-40 Synthetic in the trans of my R. How do I know if it has these "friction modifiers" in it? The clutch doesn't seem to have any problems...

[Prednizone]

Nevermind. Found it on the Amsoil website. No friction modifiers...I'm good.

[Fishboy]

I definitely think that Jeremy gave you some great advise.

With these new 450's that are out, I believe it is really important to not only use a high end motor oil (synthetic), but to also change it much more often than you may have with a 400 or smaller cc 4 stroke engine.

If it means anything, I too run the same motor oil that Blake (Prednizone) does, but it costs me more than $15 a gallon...

[Prednizone]

Yeah, it's pricy. I'm only using it now because I had it left over from my Predator. I'll switch to the Rotella when the Amsoil is gone simply due to price.

[06YFZ45racer]

yeah you got me Jeremy, i MEANT 10w for colder weather!!

I am using Redline oil 10w40 right now. It seems alright and works with clutches also. It is however a little pricey as well

[honda-eater]

hey all, oil is the largest topic and most debated on every forum out, from atvs to diesel trucks, many race teams are using the Rotella and changing it after every race, however, most of us weekend riders change it from every few months to every season, my self, im changing it every 10 hrs of riding, currently im using Modul 300v w/ 200 cc of Lucas oil stabilizer, this combo works well, however very spendy at almost 50 bucks for an oil change, i will be changing to Rotella on my next change and see how it looks and smells at the 10 hr. mark, and also i will probably run 200 cc of lucas in it as well, for those of you who are tentative about lucas products,
well, i was too, then i noticed my tranny was louder running the suzuki oil, once i changed it and added lucas, it was much quiter, works for me, take it easy.