I know this opens a can of worms but for my first oil change I am just going to use the Honda 10/40 I was suprised it was $4. a qt the next oil change I will probally go to a synthetic. Now on my 400ex I used the Mobil 1 synthetic red cap wich I did like. Any thoughts would be great. What about trans. oil also again that I just bought Honda's. thanks

 

Run Honda GN4 dino oil during break-in. After that, switch to a synthetic. Pick one that is motorcycle specific, and API SG/JASO MA.

After much study on the chemistry of oils (I'm a biochemist by profession), my preference is Maxima Extra, an Ester Synthetic (or the extremely slick Maxima Ultra if you are a racer and want to milk all the horsepower possible out of your engine). (http://www.maximausa.com/) My second choice might be Motul 5100 or some of the Klotz oils that are also ester based.

I run Extra in both the engine and transmission sides of my 450. I get Extra from onoffroad.com, and it is something like $6.75 per liter (remember that a liter is bigger than a quart!). Ultra is $7.25.

The PAO synthetics (Mobil 1 and Amsoil) have huge advantages over dino oil, but why use them when the ester synthetics have distinct advantages over the PAO's? As such, Mobil 1 Red Cap is a car oil and isn't motorcycle specific. You could run it in your engine side, but it is not fortified to be run in a transmission. If you insist on running Mobil 1, at least run their MX4T. It meets all the MC specs.

Honda's HP4 and HP4M use to be pretty good stuff (it is a petroleum/ester synthetic blend), but it quietly went from being API SG, to being SL last year, so I no longer can recommend it. GN4 is now SL as well.

Some good oil advice:

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

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

http://forums.noria.com/groupee/foru...5/m/4061023001