Do I have to use honda oil or can I get ATV oil at Sparky's that is okay to use?

 

I used Valvoline 10W 40 on my 400 EX and I always used 10W 30 Valvoline in the Recon I used to have. No problems ever. You don't need to buy the Honda stuff.

 

i know i just pot 5W-something in mine...but thats for winter up here in alaska

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

 

A couple of good oil articles. Stay away from car oils, particularly any that are "energy conserving". They aren't even that great for your car! Use a motorcycle oil that is JASO MA or API SG.

http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html#Oil

My preference for the 400EX, is Honda HP4 without moly, a synthetic/petrolium blend. If I were going to use a dino oil, I would pick Honda GN4. For a full synthetic, Maxima Ultra.

 

I wouldn't use anything that is not specifically for atv's. especially with autoclutch bikes the clutch can slip and wear faster without proper oil

 

Both of these articles are talking about motorcycle applications and not ATV. It is highly unlikely that "bullhoggrande" needs these higher performance grade applications for normal use. Use Valvoline, Castrol, etc. but stay away from the wax based oils such as Pennzoil and Quaker State because they leave a waxy build up in the engine.

 

So tell me how an ATV is any different than a motorcycle??? If anybody is having trouble picking an oil, just use what your owners manual recommends.

It always puzzles me how somebody can spend thousands of $$$ on a bike, then try to save a couple of $$$ by putting questionable oil in it. Thanks, but I'll hedge my bets by using oil that is designed for those "higher performance grade applications".

 

I use Mobile sythetic 15-50w. I have found its a good oil and last. No problems with the clutch slipping theory.

 

Tell me how many quads are capable of going at speeds of well over 100 MPH as were described in the 2 articles that you provided. Hmmmm, I didn't think that there were very many. Unless you were talking about a motorcycle engine stuffed in an ATV frame. I have seen this done and yes, in that case I would use motorcycle oil. Another thing; I don't believe that many people would consider Valvoline and Castrol motor oils as being "Questionable".

The only thing that I agree with you on is the owners manual part, except I would only refer to it for the rating and viscosity. Do you honestly think that a company such as Honda is going to recommend Yamaha oil for the quad and vice-versa... HELL NO they aren't. They are only trying to promote their products. I cannot blame them for doing this; it is the smart thing to do business-wise because schmucks like you will refer to the owners manual and feel like you need to spend 4-5 bucks on a quart of oil for your bike to run right. I am not saying either that these oils are inferior. What I am saying is that Valvoline and Castrol would be sufficient.