just curious to what seems to be working best since I just picked my first 450r up today and the oil is looking a little low.

 

Oh no, oil posts are always controversial! I think it is because there are so may choices out there, that folks don't really know what to pick.........

Some good basic oil info: http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm

I run Maxima Extra, an ester synthetic in both the engine and trans sides (http://www.maximausa.com/products/4s...synthextra.asp). On another site, there is a guy who has 6,000 miles on his CRF450X, running Maxima Extra!

I am thinking about trying Redline ShockProof in the transmission (http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/499702.cfm). I posted it here and got no responses, but in thumpertalk I got a number of replies from very satisfied users.

 

This is controversial as well, but if the quad is new, some say to run petroleum oil during break-in, then after that you can switch to a synthetic if you wish.

Some break-in info: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Change your oil OFTEN. If any machine can benefit from a synthetic, it is a screaming 450/250!

 

aight thanks I am gonna get some honda oil tom and after my first change i'll switch over

 

I think they just put GN4 in at the factory.

On a new engine, I always change my oil at 1 hour to get any metal shavings out. On the 450, I changed it again at about 2, 5, and 10 hours, then switched to synthetic. I never go more than 5 hrs without changing oil.

Some synthetic info: http://www.maximausa.com/technical/l...beNews2002.pdf

http://www.scooterhelp.com/genmainta...kcase.oil.html

 

thnaks for the info yea the dealer prepped the bike and after my first change I will switch over how about the tranny oil do you use amsoil

 

Amsoil and Mobil 1 (group IV PAO's) are my second choice oils, AFTER the ester synthetics (read the synthetic articles above). They are good oils, but the esters have may superior properties (like they stick to metal parts even when the motor is not running and gonzo film strength!). Rotella is an example of a group III oil, and would be my third choice (it is however infreior in chemistry to both PAO and group V Esters, but superior to plain old petroleum oil), but it isn't available in any API SG formulation that I have found.

In the trans, you can run an API SG/ JASO MA motorcycle engine oil, or one of the transmission specific lubes (like you would run in a 2-stroke trans), like Honda's own red HP Trans Oil or better yet Maxima MTL (a long time favorite of 2-strokers).