Does anyone know why the 2005 trx450r burns up oil sometimes? It only does it on all day rides, but on shorter rides its fine. On an all day ride, i burnt up three fourths of the oil. Thanks

 

Is it actually "burning" oil (smoking) or is the oil just going away somewhere into the unknown???? Is your compression good? You might want to do a leak down test. Could be passing oil past the valve guides as well. But it should be smoking if it is rings or guides.

If it isn't anything mechanical, then SWITCH OILS. What oil are you using??? There are some cases where 450X dirt bike riders experienced terrible oil consumption with Honda oils (you using HP4M???), and after switchng the consumption went away.

My favorite oil is Maxima Extra, which I run in both the engine and trans sides. Extra is an ester synthetic that has very very high film strength. Your rings need some "stiction" to seal properly, and your oil needs descent film strength to accomplish that.

 

There are occasionally cases where the seals go bad, but that results in the trans oil ending up in the engine oil side..........

Another thing to consider. What about your breather lines??? Is it blowing oil out the lines???? Check your airbox/air filter for excess oil.

 

I'm using Honda 5w-30 right now because it runs better in the winter with the thinner oil and its better for starting. Every once and a while it smokes when i first start it but it goes away after a little while. Thanks i really appreciate your help i'll look into it.

 

So, I take it you mean Honda GN4 petroleum oil (vs Honda HP4 or HP4M synthetic blend)??? Personally, I don't think GN4 is up to the extreme conditions you can develop in a screaming 450!

Did you break your engine in "easy" or did you use the Motoman method??? Dirt bike guys I know who broke in easy, have sloppy rings and lots of oil consumption. http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

5W30 is certainly the appropriate weight for a Wisconsin winter, but I have to wonder if when the weather warms up and you go back to thicker oil, if that will solve your problem????