Best oil for 04 450r

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Oct 7, 2006 | 08:58 PM

Wrobo

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Weekend Warrior

Joined: Oct 2006

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Best oil for 04 450r

I'm just wondering what's the engine and transmission oil for a 04 TRX450r if I'm going to be doing some trail riding and some racing with it.

Oct 9, 2006 | 01:44 PM

reconranger

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Honda, accept nothing less!

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Best oil for 04 450r

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

If any machine can beneifit from a synthetic, it is a screaming 450! I highly recommend Maxima Extra, an ester synthetic (http://www.maximausa.com/products/4s...synthextra.asp). I run it in both the engine and trans sides.

The group V ester synthetics have many advantages over petroleum and the other two types of synthetics (eg. group III like Rotella, and group IV like Amsoil and Mobil 1). But whatever you pick, you will be best off with a motorcycle specific oil that is API SG. You can run a JASO MA or MB oil in the engine side, or a JASO MA oil (NO MB!) in the trans side. Or, in the trans you can run one of the trans specific oils, like Honda's own HP Tras Oil, or Maxima MTL.

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

Oct 9, 2006 | 09:31 PM

kingdiamond

Trailblazer

Joined: Dec 2004

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Best oil for 04 450r

here's what i use valvoline atv specific oil seem's to stay clean and hold it's visc. well. joe

Oct 10, 2006 | 01:13 AM

DaBeechMan

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Best oil for 04 450r

Honda's GN4 is a great oil.

Oct 10, 2006 | 10:01 AM

reconranger

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Best oil for 04 450r

My personal take on GN4 is that it is formulated to meet a price point. It is now API SJ and no longer SG, which means that the add pack (high pressure additives) has been downgraded. Again, I think they are trying to keep the price competitive (note that Yamalube has done the same thing!). It may be just fine for a mellow little Recon or something like that, but your 450R can scream at 10,000+ rpm, so it needs the best protection you can give it.

If you insist on running a Honda oil, at least run HP4 which is beefed up with synthetic additives. HP4 is JASO MA for the trans, and HP4M (with moly), is JASO MB for the engine side only. One of the magazines torture tested a CRF450X, and found that there was little wear in the engine after 100+ hours running this oil. Still, it is not my favorite oil, seeing it has also gone SJ.

Lots of dirt bike guys are reporting high oil consumption when running Honda oils in their 450's! One changed to Maxima Extra, and his oil consumption went down to nothing..........