Oil for the 400ex
May 7, 2001 | 06:32 PM
#1
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Pro Rider
Joined: Apr 2000
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I am getting ready to change the oil in my new 400ex and I am wondering what oil to use. My dealer recommends the Honda oil (of course) and claims that automotive type oils will harm the clutch. I am not looking to use the cheapest oil and am thinking of putting Mobil 1 or Amsoil in it. What oil is everyone running in their ex's and will the Synthetic ones I mention hurt the clutch? Thanks for any help.
May 9, 2001 | 01:08 AM
#7
Trailblazer
Joined: Nov 2000
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I use Castrol GTX 20w50 4 stroke oil. Its alot better than 10w40, dosen't thin as fast or break down as fast as 10w40. Just my 2 cents.
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May 9, 2001 | 08:21 PM
#8
Range Rover
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I've been running Amsoil 20-50 for a while now with good results. If you use any synthetic oil, just make sure it doesn't say energy conserving on the bottle, because your clutch might slip then. I don't think any 20-50 synthetics are energy conserving, so any brand should work fine.
May 10, 2001 | 01:45 AM
#10
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Use the 15w50 instead (I can give you several reasons if you need some convincing 
). I've never seen a true documented case of clutch slippage (due to the oil) using any quality oil. Wet clutches are meant to be lubricated, don't let uneducated folks or those that stand to profit from your decision influence you.
So far I've been running around 1.5 years on Mobil1 15w50 on my modified EX that is almost strictly raced in cross country & some MX events. I am still on the stock clutch, it still works great, and when I tore the side plate off a couple of weeks ago (for other work), the clutch pack was in awesome condition, especially considering how I abuse it.
The one thing that I'd watch for in any oil, not just synthetic, is ones that are labeled "energy conserving", these are usually light weight oils like 5w30. They are formulated for economy and emissions and may contain friction modifiers that *MAY* contribute to wet clutch slippage.
You shouldn't be using these light weight oils in your air cooled engine anyway. It needs the protection of a heavier grade oil for a couple of reasons. 1st is air cooled engines run more loose tolerances which need heavier oil.... They also run VERY HOT, which will break down lighter and conventional oils very quickly. This is the reason you see so many EX's smoking on decel from the time they are very new. In many cases, simply switching to a quality synthetic like Mobil1 will solve that problem.
The higher flash point, lower pour point, high film strength, etc... Make synthetics an excellent choice for your air cooled engine.
Here's another link if you want to do some reading on the Mobil1 15w50, done by a VERY reputable soure.
http://www.eric-gorr.com/techarticle..._june_1999.htm
). I've never seen a true documented case of clutch slippage (due to the oil) using any quality oil. Wet clutches are meant to be lubricated, don't let uneducated folks or those that stand to profit from your decision influence you.So far I've been running around 1.5 years on Mobil1 15w50 on my modified EX that is almost strictly raced in cross country & some MX events. I am still on the stock clutch, it still works great, and when I tore the side plate off a couple of weeks ago (for other work), the clutch pack was in awesome condition, especially considering how I abuse it.
The one thing that I'd watch for in any oil, not just synthetic, is ones that are labeled "energy conserving", these are usually light weight oils like 5w30. They are formulated for economy and emissions and may contain friction modifiers that *MAY* contribute to wet clutch slippage.
You shouldn't be using these light weight oils in your air cooled engine anyway. It needs the protection of a heavier grade oil for a couple of reasons. 1st is air cooled engines run more loose tolerances which need heavier oil.... They also run VERY HOT, which will break down lighter and conventional oils very quickly. This is the reason you see so many EX's smoking on decel from the time they are very new. In many cases, simply switching to a quality synthetic like Mobil1 will solve that problem.
The higher flash point, lower pour point, high film strength, etc... Make synthetics an excellent choice for your air cooled engine.
Here's another link if you want to do some reading on the Mobil1 15w50, done by a VERY reputable soure.
http://www.eric-gorr.com/techarticle..._june_1999.htm