01 kdx220r newbie q’s

[pda1122]

Just bought this bike and just got back from riding a dirt bike for the first time ever! So much fun. Anyways I was wondering what kind of oil I should run? The previous owner said he used Maxima Castor. I’m pretty sure the local shop carries Maxima products and looking online, there seems to be several oils to choose from. I’m confused, is Castor really best for my application when I am much too new to actually get anywhere close to the potential of the bike? I mean I feel like I’m in too low of a gear most times because I’m afraid of the power. The shop might carry Klotz and other popular brands if that affects the decision. I am definitely going to ask them for help also. I just would like your opinions as well.
Also what is everyone running for chain lube? I’m thinking clean with wd40 and lube with Maxima chain wax. Is this good SOP? The previous owner said he only uses wd40 to clean/lube. He claims he’s been around bikes for 30 years and he doesn’t have faster wear doing so. Says the wax attracts dirt and in his opinion makes chain wear faster. Just weird to me since I know wd40 is more of a cleaner than lubricant but if I lube it every ride like he says, maybe I’d have no issues also.
For clutch fluid the previous owner said he runs Castrol 80w-90 gear oil. I couldn’t help but notice this has limited slip additive. Is that a problem? I have Lucas 75w-90 synthetic that I could use if that would suffice. I saw some of you using atf type-f as well. Where would I find that and what brand?
Now onto the air filter. What would I use to clean and lube with?
Anything else I might be missing? Thanks all!

 

[Chris142]

I like torco oil. But any oil you get at the bike shop will be fine. Put an O-ring chain and new sprockets on it and don't lube it. Lube just attracts dirt which grinds the chain and sprockets up. If it has a foam air filter you want that gooey maxima filter oil

 

[pda1122]

He said something about oring and chain, prob is one

 

[Chris142]

Look at the chain and see if you see orings between the links

 

[pda1122]

Is running 32:1 as he did too rich?

 

[Silk]

I wouldn't run a castor oil, it makes hard carbon. You have power valves to keep clean...I know on the old KDX200's they would sieze and then strip the gears that opperate them. The KDX220 was like the Yamaha DT230, the extra capacity over the 200's and tuned for more bottom end - they come on strong down low, it feels a bit much at times, but are less savage in the top end.

 

[marc1]

Nice bike, I recently sold my 05 KDX220. I wish this bike wasn't discontinued.

This is what I used for the life of my bike:

Engine Pre-Mix - Redline 2 Stroke Racing Oil at 50:1 https://www.redlineoil.com/two-stroke-racing-oil
Gear Box - BelRay Gear Saver 75w http://www.belray.com/bel-ray-gear-saver-transmission-oil
Chain - BelRay cleaner and lube, I see no issue with you using WD40 to clean as you described and then a good o-ring chain lube to finish with http://www.belray.com/bel-ray-chain-cleaner http://www.belray.com/bel-ray-super-clean-chain-lube
Air Filter - Again, BelRay products assuming you have the factory foam style filter http://www.belray.com/bel-ray-foam-filter-cleaner-degreaser http://www.belray.com/bel-ray-foam-filter-oil

The above products are all reasonably priced and have wide availability. You didn't mention fork oil, I replaced that as well over the lifespan of the bike with RedLine fork oil. I used LightWeight https://www.redlineoil.com/lightweight-5wt-suspension-fluid that was good for my riding style and terrain, you may need a different weight.

 

[87sammy]

If you have oring chain get a grunge brush and use wd40 to clean after riding. The gearbox is designed for engine oil do not use gear oil. Get a jd jet kit and jet for your riding conditions. Use 32 to 1 oil ratio. Clean your air filter however you want , but use air filter oil you pour on to saturate the filter then squeeze not ring the filter out.

 

[Cujet]

As someone with two stroke oil testing under my belt I’ll add my thoughts.

A very good choice is to use a quality FC or FD and or EG-D rated oil, oil mixed at 32 to 1. It will provide superb lubrication, clean power valves, less chance of ring sticking and lower carbon. All while producing lower smoke and other benefits. A choice that I like is Castrol TT-S synthetic. It’s one of many great choices. Please don’t fall for the hype of 100 to 1 oil being a good choice. In our testing, Regardless of oil choice, 100 to 1 = wear.

Redline racing oil, while quite robust, accelerates corrosion on brass jets and crank bearings. It’s a very well known issue with RRO. It’s not the right oil for a KDX unless it’s tuned to make 60HP, and even then, the corrosion issue will appear.

 

[Cujet]

As for gearbox oil, you will find that the kdx is not particular about what you use. Anything from Mobil 1 ATF to 10w-40 automotive oil to dedicated motorcycle transmission oil will work equally well as they are more similar than different. And that’s where the confusion sets in. Thick 75w90 GL5 type differential oil, and similar products (comes in tall containers) are not appropriate.

 

[Bwalker]

Cujet gives sound advice on redline and using a Jaso FC/FD oil.
Yamalube 2R is an excellent reasonable priced oil. If Maxima is about it for availability Super M and K2 are both great.
I would not use Maxima Castor 927 for your use or any other castor/castor blend.