Let me start of by saying I'm glad to see a sight available for fellow ATV'ers. I just purchased a 2001 Rancher ES 2x4 and I'm just about done with the break in period. I was looking to change the fluids and switch over to amsoil products (oil and gearlube). Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Scottie

 

the amsoil series 2000 20W50 would be good, but for the same price you can get honda HP-4 that is made for both the engine and tranny

 

My recommendation would be to go with a 100% synthetic, of which Amsoil or others are excellent. Not sure I would go to a 20W-50 in a new machine during the winter. The Honda oil MIGHT be a good quality oil, but you KNOW the good synthetics are great! With only a 6-month warranty, Honda may or may not be selling a premium oil. (Years back, tests were run on auto oils marketed by the manufacturers, and they were terrible!)

As far as a gear lube is concerned, not sure it's all that important to use a synthetic, as they are pretty bulletproof anyway. Just change occasionally if you do any deep water action.

 

Not sure where,but I read recently that synthetic oil is not to be used in ATV's that have a clutch,seems that synthetics are so slippery that the clutch can't hook up without some slippage.I bought some Honda oil the other day and it has got a synthetic additive , but its' not 100% synthetic,I'll try and find the article again. It seems like what oil to use is always a difficult choice,I do use 100% synthetics in all our vehicles in both the engine and differentials.

 

that was the old mobil 1 oil in the 80's that had the teflon in it. It is safe now