What engine oil does everyone use?

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Old 02-07-2010, 08:50 PM
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Default What engine oil does everyone use?

This a basic question but I'm trying to figure out what oil to use in my 09.

- Does everyone us motorcycle specific oils or the oil we buy for our cars?

- Are you using a mineral based oil or synthetic oil?

- Does motorcycle oil have extra additives because it runs in the transmission and clutch?

- There is a big difference in price between car oil and motorcycle oils.

Thanks in advance for your input.
 
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Old 02-07-2010, 08:59 PM
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By the way, I've been using Kawasaki synthetic oil since new.
 
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Old 02-07-2010, 09:04 PM
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You should be running motorcycle oil. Main reason is the clutch. The clutch is a wet type and requires special additives to prevent slipping. This is specially true for atv's that use a centifgual clutch.

Synthetic oil. While good old conventional is fine too. I push the engine to its limits of stress, heat, and cold. So synthetic oil is what I prefer.

Yes, motorcycles do contain special additives. One of them is a friction modifier for the clutch. Second one is a high content of zinc. Zinc is important for cam wear. And really important for direct acting mechcanical bucket cams (like the klx engine), but not so important for roller cams.

Price difference is what you buy. Conventional oil is only about $3~4 a quart. While the synthetic can cost $8~16 a quart.
 
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Old 02-07-2010, 11:15 PM
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A good inexpensive choice is Rotella 15w 40. You can get it a walmart, it's made for diesel's.
 
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Old 02-08-2010, 12:03 AM
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ENGINE OIL

WTF

You people must be crazy putting oil in your bike.

USE PETROL (maybe gasoline)
Its way cheaper for a start.

And you don't change it, ya just keep putting it in.
Don't ask me where it all goes.

BTW, if I do switch to oil, do I need to re-jet?
Sea level to 1000 feet.
 
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Old 02-08-2010, 12:09 AM
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Motul 5100 10w40
 
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Old 02-08-2010, 01:04 AM
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Castrol grand prix motorcycle four stroke.
10W40 in the cooler months, and 20W50 in the heat of the summer.
It's inexpensive, avalable at Walmart, and it works.
I change it occasionally.
 

Last edited by zomby woof; 02-08-2010 at 01:17 AM.
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Old 02-08-2010, 02:05 AM
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Zomby woof: Is that Castrol Grand Prix a synthetic oil or conventional? 20W-50 is not too heavy for the KLX?

Neilaction: Interesting comments!
 
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Old 02-08-2010, 02:06 AM
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Learjet: Thanks for the details.
 
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Old 02-08-2010, 02:23 AM
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It's not too heavy. I have Castol 20w50 semi in my 300 now. I'll be going to rotella next, much cheaper. I've tried alot of different oils in my hopped up 450 DRZ and Mobil 1 V-twin (means nothing) 20w50 syn is the first one that I can feel a difference in the shifter. And it feels good. Feels better than Amsoil
 


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