OK... now I can pay you back a little with some 'return knowledge'.


The first thing to understand is that not all zinc/ZDDP additives are created equally.

So with that in mind, today more does not always mean better with the stuff. They have gotten creative with it... and it has now been proven that it is more about the quality of the zinc than the content in ppm.

Also, for what it is worth... the 15W-40 Rotella T with Triple Protection oil has approximately 1200 ppm of zinc and 1100 ppm phosphorus.

This would be good reading for you.

Shell Rotella T - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And this too... because I think Shell's formulation actually got better...

- What is Triple Protection?

 

My two cents...

Reverse is a critical factor to consider, especially for a "trail" quad...yes, you should be able to pull the weight of the quad backwards, but that gets really old at the end of the day's ride when you are riding back to the truck.
Having ridden and raced a TRX250R for several years on tracks and trails, I can tell you that the 4-stroke 450s have plenty of torque by comparison.
The Raptor 700 has considerably more power than a z400, and if you do basic mods to it, it will have considerably more than a 450.
You might look at the last several issues of Dirtwheels where they did comparisons on trail ready 450s...the KTM seemed to be set up pretty well, as did the Polaris.

My choice for a "trail" quad? The Raptor 700. EFI and reverse are features that are hard to beat, and if it doesn't seem powerful enough stock, you can get a lot of power from some simple mods

 

i know that the z400s and the kfx 400s are nearly identical because the both have the exact same stator and flywheel/starter set up the same parts go into both engines so i would not be surprised iif the 450s had some similiar engine parts also i own a new yfz 450r and motor and suspension wise i would take it over the kfx i do agree that the narrow suspension would be a plus in the woods but however in an overall catetgory of terrain i would take my bike it is such an improvement over the old style yfz and it absorbs so much more making me more able to keep my power to the ground instead of the back end jumping up anywhere if you wanna go faster and have a nicer ride i would pick the yfz but it does come with what i think its 2" wider so that is a drawback

 

The Z400 and KFX400 ARE the same bike.

Let's face it, the Z400 was hard to compete with for a 400.
Even Suzuki couldn't best their first prototype... not until now when weight stopped being such a tight restriction.

Kawasaki and Artic Cat set up deals for a supply of clones.

Kawasaki then started putting all their R&D towards the KFX 450R, and took their time... and it shows in the end product I think... however, it also put them last to the market. So the others had already captured most of the marketplace.

So it does not share any parts with the Suzuki... although it might be a better machine if it had Suzuki's wiring and fuel injection setup?

The width is right for the woods though, and it's very stable for stock at that width... and there's no kicking or bucking like there is on the Honda or plain YFZ. The suspension is really good for stock. Plus I gained reverse for the woods too.

 

Well, I have tested, and also studied reports, etc, at length and in detail (while bored) and I've come up with a few opinions so far from above...

(#1) I still feel the same about the grouping... I think it should have to specify, etc. However, if Mobil 1 is in fact not a "true" synthetic anymore, I can't say as I can see a real big difference in them test-wise. So I can kind of see how Castrol was able to sway a court of law over synthetic labeling. More in #3.

(#2) I've stuck with the theory and tested, upping viscosity and lowering viscosity index improvers, and I can tell a certain marked difference in each step I have taken. Simply put, the engine, and probably mostly the trans just beats these oils... and the ones with lower viscosities, viscosity indexes, and high levels of viscosity index improvers just get beat down faster. And I think a lot of in occurs in the trans.... and as an end result is also why I feel the change in the trans and have been using it as a gauge as to when to drain. I think I'm feeling the viscosity index improvers (polymers) starting to break down in the trans and reduce it's superb feel.

(#3) Maxima and BelRay were included in the tests. However, please note that I have not seen testing on the full-syn Maxima... Only the Maxum4 syn-blend.

Both performed well, rather it was 10w40 or 20w50 being tested. However, neither seemed to show any significant advantage over the rest.

Comparing 10w40's the Maxima and Bel-Ray seem to test on average 5th and 6th respectively when considering ALL aspects.

However, I was really shocked to see several industry standard (ASTM D-1748) tests for rust protection, and how many motorcycle oils failed. Bel-Ray was one of them... as was Castrol, Vavoline, Pennzoil, Royal Purple, Golden Spectro and Motul.

That was pretty shocking to me.
Especially considering motorcyles and ATV's tend to be left sitting a good bit.
Therefore, none of those will make their way into my engines.

Moving back to the Maxima now, it does seem to be a VERY GOOD oil. Like I said though, about a 4th place finisher. The quality that does stand out the highest is it's HEAVY dose of ZINC. It's higher than anything I have seen. But yet it's about a 5th place finisher again in wear protection.

It's a top performer, tieing in gear performance, oxidation stability, and rust protection.

It is weak in shear stability, viscosity index, volitility, and also TBN.
Those things are what make it place behind the other 4.
However, 2 of those 4 fail the rust test, so to me it gets a solid 3rd for 10w40... right behind Mobil 1 and Amsoil.

The weakness in shear stability, viscosity index, volitility and TBN are obviously offset a great deal by the HIGH zinc content. Otherwise it would be a relatively s#itty oil if you think about it honestly. Not a real strong syn-blend without the zinc.

In any event, it certainly makes me wonder if "they" fear the comparison with the Ultra4 or Extra4?
Know of any test data floating out there so I may compare myself?

 

just to let everyone know....i have a 2010 yfz450x now....very happy with it

 

Congrats.....Lucky..

 

haha....and i really need some 4-snow tires....does anyone know where i can get the cheapest pair or if someone has a used pair....and what size should i go with?

 

Uh, I hate you!! We don't get snow often here in OK but, when we do there is nothing better than jumping on the yfz with a 6 layers of clothes on and hitting the frozen country roads out here in no mans land.

I use the razr's on mine. She don't have much traction but tons of fun.

 

yeah this winter im going all out...my dad has an escavator (i dont spell good lol) and a backhoe so ive already built a few jumps with them but now wen the big snow comes i will be making massive jumps! i dont have any country roads around here but who cares im going on the roads anyways! but i got holeshots on my 450x and my trx250ex and people say they suck in the snow