I have hp4 4stoke NO MOLY oil in a gold bottle, is that ok to put in both the gear or
crank case and the block? also i have no idea what moly is and i was told it makes
gears slip, im not sure if thats true or not so i guess another probaly stupid question
is whats moly?

 

Ah, my favorite question! Read this first: http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm


Your engine is unique, because it seperates the engine and transmission oil. No other quad motor does this....God bless Honda!

In the engine side, you can run any motorcycle engine oil that is API SG/JASO MA or MB. MA oils do not contain friction modifiers like moly, and MB oils do contain moly. Friction modifiers make the moving parts slicker, and therefore you get better performance, just from your oil, but you can't use them in a transmission because they will make your clutch slip!!!

In the transmission side, you can use an API SG/JASO MA engine oil, or one of the transmission specific lubes like Maxima MTL or Honda's own HP Trans Oil.

Honda's HP4 is MA, and does not contain moly. It can be used in both the engine and trans sides. HP4M on the other hand is MB and contains moly, and can be used only in the engine side.

 

So, what's the best oil to run??? This engine can really benefit from synthetic oil. There are three types of synthetics, and of the three the ester synthetics are by far the best...but they are expensive!

I have used Maxima Extra for years (in both the engine and trans), and it is an excellent MA oil!

I am now switching to RedLine ester synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MB) in the engine side, and Redline 80W Motorcycle Gear Oil in the transmission side.

Honda's HP4/HP4M is good oil. It is a blend of a petroleum base oil, and is fortified with ester (from what I can tell from the smell).

Again, if you aren't running an MB oil in the engine side, you aren't really taking advantage of the seperation of the engine and trans.

In the trans, might as well run one of the trans oils. Maxima MTL is great. 85W in summer, and 80W in cooler weather.

 

I really like you Reconranger - you take time to answer questions ..........!

But my bottle of Redline 80W with shockproof sez it has friction modifiers , and you mention above your switching to it for the trans . But above you also say should not use something with friction modifiers . The Redline tech at their site said using Shockproof 80W would be satisfactory .........satisfactory hell -I want the best I can get !

 

I don't recall anywhere reading that the gear oil contains friction modifiers. In any case, it is just fine for a wet clutch. Mostly Redline sells to the automotive industry, so I have to wonder if you got a tech who wasn't motorcycle savy....and even so, lots of folks still think all motorcycles share the same oil between the engine and trans....unlike your 450R.

But, the guys I have talked to at Redline were motorcrossers, who rode CRF450R's, so they were right with me in answering my questions.....