Thin or thick for better shifting?

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Chris142

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I'm posting this here since the ATV section seems to be pretty slow. I have a Suzuki LT-Z400 quad. The engine is very simmilar to a DR-Z400 bike.

I'm running Rotella 15w40 in it right now and the shifting is very notchy. According to the owners manual I can use all kinds of oil at my ambient temp.

10w30
10w40
10w50
15w40
15w50 and 20w50.

Which one of these would inprove the shifting?
 
i would say the 10w30. it should be less notchy on the first few shifts, being the lighter grade. but maybe not.

also check your clutch cable adjustment to be sure the clutch is engaging fully when your shifting.
 
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I used to have one of those quads and experienced the same notchy shifting with Rotella 15w40. When I switched to Amsoil Motorcycle 10w40, the shifting was as smooth as should be. I don't think it's the viscosity necessarily, it's the quality of the oil. I've not had good luck with HDEO oils in my quads, never liked the shifting feel. I run almost exclusively Amsoil now and in several different quads, it's shift feel is great.
 
shift feel is very transmission dependant and very personal.

and yes there really is no correlation between viscosity and feel.
 
On my H-D, I get a clunk when I shift from neutral to first and the shifting feels stiff until the bike warms up. I have Delo in the primary chaincase and H-D transmission oil (the thick stuff) in the transmission. Once warmed up, it shifts nicely. I say experiment around and see what works for your transmission.
 
I have a DRZ400 that I tried Rotella 15W40 in and it was totally unacceptable. A nasty combo. Had to force the shifter. I have found in my world it is the zinc/phos content that makes all the diff in a 10w40 oil for my bikes. I add zddpmax or zddplus to get to about 1700ppm and the shifting is very pleasant....
 
Originally Posted By: ccdhowell
I used to have one of those quads and experienced the same notchy shifting with Rotella 15w40. When I switched to Amsoil Motorcycle 10w40, the shifting was as smooth as should be. I don't think it's the viscosity necessarily, it's the quality of the oil. I've not had good luck with HDEO oils in my quads, never liked the shifting feel. I run almost exclusively Amsoil now and in several different quads, it's shift feel is great.


I hear this a lot I'm going with Amsoil for my next change.
 
Chris142 said:
Lots of people like the Rotella in bikes. Just not me I guess.[/quote

I use rotella in all my shared sump bikes. I've used all of amsoils products and they performed no better than rotella for twice the price,so I have been sticking with rotella now
Don't get me wrong,I love amsoil it's just not cost effective for me.
Click to expand...
 
I tried Rotella and Delo. I liked them both. I tried a 50/50 blend of Delo and Havoline 20w50 and really liked it. Shifts were smooth, (The Honda already had a smooth gearbox) no clutch grab, and no clunks. I think thicker is the way to go in shared sumps up to a point, YMMV.
 
I worked at a bike dealer and tried a lot of m/c oils. Maxima was one of my least favs... I have a gallon of it left on the shelf and will blend it with something to use it up one day, probably... I tell ya, my bikes are picky...
 
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