Ive heard that to use specially designed oil for the clutches but the honda manual did nt say anything about unless of course I missed it.

 

I'll probably get bashed, but I DO use plain ole motor oil in my quads. (Valvoline 10w30 usually) Have for about 30 years, and in that time, never once had any problems with the clutches. I did replace the clutch in my sons 300 when we rebuilt it, but it was because I had to take it off and decided to just put a new one on while I was rebuilding it. In 30 years, thats the only one!!
Let me also say that in our Blasters gearcase I run Klotz 80w, made for 2 stroke gearcases.

So let the bashing and unbelieving begin!!

 

There are probably a million different opinions on oil. Some people will tell you synthetic is "too slippery" pure nonsense. Check the AGI rating in the owners manual, I am sure it is listed......

When we quit making leaded fuel my grandpa used to put a few tablespoons of non detergent motor oil in his gas tank to help lubricate the valves....did it help? No clue, but it didn't seem to hurt his vehicles.

 

I also use Valvoline 10w30 or 10w40 in the majority of my toys. The Ktm gets Amsoil 10w40 and the 2 strokes get BelRay Gear Saver 80wt in their trannies.

 

well, the owners manual probably said to use Pro Honda GN4 or whatever they had for their oil back in 2000. That oil met the latest API certification at the time, and was JASO MA certified for motorcycle engines, meaning ok for wet clutches.

As far as using regular automotive oil in an atv, it probably wont hurt the engine at all, just the clutch if anything. It is true that the CHEAPER automotive oil is better to use in a atv because the more expensive stuff has more moly and zinc "friction modifiers" than the cheap stuff and those are what hurt the clutches.

Supposedly, the theory is that the zinc and moly and whatever else they add to automotive oil for "fuel mileage" will embed itself into the friction disc linings in the clutch and reduce the friction characteristics, since that's what those additives are supposed to do. The reduced friction will cause the clutch to slip. The slipping produces heat and overtime the springs will weaken, and the clutch will just plain wear out. This doesnt happen on an automotive engine because there is no clutch inside an automotive engine, just metal to metal contact, so it's ok to have those additives.

My personal opinion: dont use the automotive oils. I paid a lot of money for my machine, i dont feel like wrecking it on some stupid thing of trying to save a buck on oil. I use good quality oil of the right type and certification.

 

i use automotive oil usally a 10w40 i change my oil often depending on the riding i have been doing.

 

Pick a Motorcycle Specific oil that is API SG/JASO MA. These will have the additives you need to protect your integrated transmission, and don't contain things like moly that will be harmfull to your clutch.

Some good basic oil info.:

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

The synthetics have many advantages over petroleum oils, and the ester synthetics have some advantages over the other two types of synthetics.

My personal preference is Maxima Extra, an Ester Synthetic:

http://www.maximausa.com/technical/l...beNews2002.pdf

 

My personal preference is Maxima Extra, an Ester Synthetic: http://www.maximausa.com/technical/l...beNews2002.pdf >>>>>>>>>>>&gt ;

This sounds very similar to Amzoil but dang, this stuff is expensive.

What do most of the NASCAR guys run??

 

I would bet they dont use the same oil that sponsers them LOL