oil for dirt bikes

[KillaLude]

i have 3 bikes yz250f,ttr 90, and a PW50, along with a honda trx400ex, right now i run motul e-tech 100 10w40 in the big bikes and honda gn4 in the kids bikes.

i was woundering if there were better oils to run for them, i change the oil in the kids bikes every 30 to 40 hours and the big toys every 15 hours and the 13/qt motul adds up fast.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Rotella T6 would probably work. It's $20/gallon.

 

[FL_Rob]

You clearly maintain effective OCI's and care about the

equipment and I think you could go with any quality conventional

on sale locally and still be ahead of oxidation,viscosity

breakdown,sludging,etc.Just keep using the same OCI.

 

[Steve S]

15W-40 Delo ,Rotella, Delvac 1300 or any other name brand HDEO oil. Changing the oil often is good!!!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: FL_Rob
I think you could go with any quality conventional

Good point. I figured he wanted to stick with synthetic, but given how frequently he changes it, mineral should work, too, and save him a lot of money. Rotella T 15w40 is what, $12/gallon?

 

[KillaLude]

I was actually told i don't change the oil enough in the YZ every 3 to 5 hours which is what most of my buddies do. i will probably stick to stick to synthetic but can justify changing oil every time i ride.

 

[sunruh]

you should be changing it every 3-5 hours in the yz250f.
at 15hrs the big dollar motul has become pelican pizz.

shell rotella t 15w40 or supertech 15w40 at 5 hours would not only be cheaper but better on your motor and clutch.

but what do i know, i've only done 60+ reports on the yz250f over the last 10+ years.

 

[Gene K]

Sunruh would know if anyone would...

 

[dirtydannyd]

3-5 hours eh?
Would I use the same sort of OCI for a TTR250 running Delo 400 CI+ that's just ridden on the trails?

 

[Gene K]

A TTR should be easier on oil than a YZ. Especially of you dont spend a lot of time at high rpm and abusing the clutch. I would think closer to 8-10 hours in that application.

 

[RC46_Rider]

OK.... guess I will jump into this fray....

Based on what I have seen and heard and experienced over a lot of years of bike riding, both street and dirt, I highly suspect that with the OCI's you state on the little bikes and ATV, you will never have an oil related problem using GN4 or equivalent oil. The bikes will last as long as you want to own them! That said, if you want a synthetic, I would go with the Shell T-6 in the small motors and ATV. It is a very good oil, and quite reasonably priced (Walmart) for a synthetic. One minor/marginal advantage it has is lower viscosity at start up, which is good for engines that are only used intermittently. Lubricity may be fractionally better yielding a TINY bit more power output. Quicker flow at start up can be a factor in extending engine life. I use T-6 in an XR250R that is "tuned" and has been ridden pretty hard and the results are good. It is also a little easier to kick start with the thinner oil.

The YZ is another ballgame and as previous posts say, use a premium oil and change it often.

 

[RC46_Rider]

Follow up comment:

Possibly, MORE important than the oil is the maintenance of the AIR FILTER in dirt bikes. Poor air cleaner maintenance kills small engines a lot quicker and more often than poor oil OCI's will !! If you really want those vehicles to last, don't neglect the air filters!

 

[KillaLude]

The air filters are a non issue I have 2 for every bike asnd they get cleaned after every day of riding or twice if its dusty and dry.

But I am going to try some rotella t in the bike see how they like that.

Although my rideing style is mostly lugging 2 and 3 gear in the woods riding with the 80% and 20% of the time making like I'm fast on a track. Might send off samples of the motul then the shell see what they look like.