Synthetic oil doesnt stay on metal as good as petrolem based oil. Put some on a piece of metal sitting upright and see which one is still there after a day. So if you are running synthetic oil everytime you start your 4-stroke the cam arms are turning without oil which is soon waste your cam.

 

hehe we are in the same boat.. Humid as hell here too...

 

I always buy GN-4 10w40.. is that bad??

the weather here is usually around 70-86 in the summer with an occational 65 degree day, and 0-50 in the winter (varies widely) what type of oils do you think i should run??? i haev a stock engine, exept for a 3 quart oil rez....

please help.. later

 

TRX-400ex, That is true about snythtic being much more thin. But it does still offer good procetion with a very small amount of film, and it also pumps much quicker than normal oil. Just to be safe I let my bikes idle for 5 min before even cracking the throttle. All in all, i use both oils with great luck.

 

I use Maxima 20w-50

 

I used the Castrol synthetic blend 10W-40 for my first oil change. All is good so far.

here is my experience with oils.................
#1 honda recommends 10W-40 motorcyle oil
#2 full synthetic oils such as Honda HP-4 can actually cause clutch slippage (I know this for a fact)
#3 honda recommends non-synthetic oil for break in periods.......seems synthetic oil is too slippery and will cause bearings not to seat properly.

a semi synthetic blend of good quality 10W-40 motocycle oil should work for almost all conditions on MOST 4 stroke machines.

20 weight oil is too thick for initial start up protection in my opinion.

 

2PunksDad is pretty much right on. With a wet clutch system, synthetics and synthetic blends can slip. When you slip you get glazing. The sure money is on the petroleum based oil and just change it often. Synthetics give you consistent viscosity and is a MUCH more slippery oil. The big benefit is syntetic oil won't break down after alot of abuse. I change my oil after every ride. I know its overkill but I never have to worry about riding on oil that is lacking in viscosity or is broken down to put me at risk of component failure. Its a meager amount to pay for peace of mind. I usually change the fork oil and repack the axle after every other ride. Again, oil/grease is cheap and its easy to do. I'm no MX champ. I ride on the hard side of recreational. I figure since I seldom get out, why do a slack maintenance job and jeopardize a good day of riding. I have never, knock on wood, had to push my Warrior. I know some guys that rarely, if at all, do any REAL maintenance and ride the beats out of their ATV. These are the guys who I end up towing back to the trailer. I wish more understood that it wastes everybody's time when ANYONE breaks down. I get the feeling some folks really don't understand how to do maintenance and rather than learn or get someone to do it for them, they just don't. It never will understand that logic. I think it's a lack of consideration. To pay a few thousand $$$$$ for an ATV and just ride it until it dies is really beyond me. I guess if you have the money to toss like that and are able to live with themselves when they put their friends out when they have to tow your sorry a** home...MORE POWER TO YA!

Ride On!

Rachel

 

rachel is right on the money about lack of service..............seems like the same few guys need help every other time we ride............the guys always need help because they never maintain their equipment until it breaks...........I spend more time riding back & forth to my garage to get tools for them, then I do riding with them.............either way I am riding, so I can't complain too much

 

A little confused know !! I was about to change to a Synthetic motorcycle oil my next change. Know after reading this thread, I am thinking otherwise. I ride a Stock 300ex, and currently use honda 20w-50 Oil (not the HP, but the cheaper oil). I would like the long range of life, and the convience of walmart or Pepboys, rather then the Honda dealer. When you guys mention Castrol, Amsoil, Mobil 1, Valveline, Maxima, are you refering to regular motor (automobile) Oil or Motorcycle oil. I am considering Mobile 1 Motorcycle oil (full Synthetic). They quote on there internet site that is fine for the wet-clutch application.
Let me know your feedback. I was also told that I can purchase my oil filter much cheaper at like auto store, is this true ???

Thanks
Jason

 

the Castrol I reffered to is a new Castrol Motorcycle oil........

I would never use full synthetic Honda HP-4 again......

just my honest opinion