Does using motorcycle/atv specific oil actually make that big of a difference?

[VenomRS4]

Im about to do an oil change on my 350X and Quadrunner and I have a case of valvoline 10w30 synthetic so I figured I would use that. Will I cause any problems in the long run if i dont use a motorcycle/atv specific oil? Maybe with the clutch? I have heard a lot people say that is ok....but ive also heard people say that its not...

What do you guys think?

[Chillyboarder]

I changed my oil recently for my 400EX and put 10w40 motorcycle oil in it for the winter, was told not to go too much tinner as they're meant for high speeds. I was also told that most synthetics will screw up the clutch, you have to get it without a certain thing in it...

[RedRider_AK]

You know, I will never understand some stuff. My Big Bear had ATV-specific oil in it up until 2 days ago, and it wouldn't idle, smoked like hell, etc. I changed the oil, dumped in some generic Valvoline 5w40, and lo and behold, it idles like a dream, runs great, doesn't smoke or stall, and overall feels just like a new machine.

[Louis Mielke]

It was once explained to me that the sheering actions of the gears in a motorcycle transmission can actually break down the molecules of normal automotive oil much faster and that motorcycle oil was formulated with that in mind so it lasts longer. The clutch plates are also something to keep in mind.

Moral of the story, i was also told by a profesional cycle mechanic that automotive oil is fine but should be changed more frequently than a specifically formulated oil

And as Paul Harvey would say, that's the rest of the story.

[tecat-z]

When i was a kid, all i used was 10-40 engine oil in all of my 2 stroke mx bikes trannies, and also in my indestructable 83 110. But that was then, and now i do use motorcycle specific oil in all of my machines. I never had a problem back in the day, but the machines were also alot newer than they are now. Again we're talking back from 86ish to 91ish. I don't own any of those bikes anymore, but never had any oil related problems in any of them. And i had lots. Now, i like to use specific oils, along with strick maintenance.

[TeamGeek6]

1.) Being an engineer, I can tell you that the engineers that made the engine in the first place would have specified special oil if needed. That makes design too much of a hassle, so they dont.

2.) Opinions dont matter, download the specs from the oil manufacturer and compare them, viscosity and temperature data.

3.) Mechanics, "professional" or not are not trained to know the difference. Mechanics change parts, they know nothing about oil chemistry.

Yes, it makes a big difference, in PROFIT for whoever sells the oil!

Synthetics may be bad to use in older engines. Synthetic oils are a blend of two components, and one will attack rubber seals. Synthetics can cause loss of seal life. Just depends on the ratios.

OPen the manual, read what it says and put it in.

[Mosh]

1.) Being an engineer, I can tell you that the engineers that made the engine in the first place would have specified special oil if needed. That makes design too much of a hassle, so they dont.



3.) Mechanics, "professional" or not are not trained to know the difference. Mechanics change parts, they know nothing about oil chemistry.

Maybe I read too much into your comments,and if that is the case,I appologize for what I am about to say.

Dude I gotta tell you,I dont know if you do not think before you post or what.
But I am quite frankly, sick and tired of your know it all,degrading remarks that seem to blast people or products for no reason.

I have been professionally turning wrenches for 17 years.
and no,I am not perfect and have made mistakes.
Although I am no a chemical engineer that has vastly studied lubrication properties of oils,I can tell you I am anything but a parts changer as you state.

The reality of your post is clear.And I will say this one time.
You "engineers" are the scurge of the Earth as far as most Mechanics are concerned.
You damn people cant build anything right the first time,and we have to spend hours on new model cars, un-engineering and improving your foul ups.
Then you guys have the nerve to call us on the factory techline,and ask us how we fixed your problem.

Get real!


As far as this post,I do agree that any decnet brand oil will be fine for most machines.I have run regular oil in my bikes for years with no adverse effects.That Teamgeek,I will agree with you on.

[SWIGIN]

i agree with moshman

to say a mechanic who sees what the engineers mess up all day long knows nothing?

that is a assish thing to say....and to say to only run what oil the engeneer says to run is just stupid.

oil or all lubes have come a long way in 20 years.....your living in a dream world were your the pressident

[Dirtcrasher]

Maybe I read too much into your comments,and if that is the case,I appologize for what I am about to say.

Dude I gotta tell you,I dont know if you do not think before you post or what.
But I am quite frankly, sick and tired of your know it all,degrading remarks that seem to blast people or products for no reason.

I have been professionally turning wrenches for 17 years.
and no,I am not perfect and have made mistakes.
Although I am no a chemical engineer that has vastly studied lubrication properties of oils,I can tell you I am anything but a parts changer as you state.

The reality of your post is clear.And I will say this one time.
You "engineers" are the scurge of the Earth as far as most Mechanics are concerned.
You damn people cant build anything right the first time,and we have to spend hours on new model cars, un-engineering and improving your foul ups.
Then you guys have the nerve to call us on the factory techline,and ask us how we fixed your problem.

Get real!


As far as this post,I do agree that any decnet brand oil will be fine for most machines.I have run regular oil in my bikes for years with no adverse effects.That Teamgeek,I will agree with you on.

I'll second this motion....

Geek, you really are a PITA, very quick to say "WRONG" to anyone about anything. Then you claim to have this "magic" ignition setup but won't help anybody else with it unless they open there wallet.

Most of your thoughts are from an engineering standpoint and not from a wrench/what actually works standpoint.

Are you here to help guys out? or just need to be right and a big pain in the balls....?

[brapp]

i will third the notion i ahve been racign and turnign wrenches for the majority of my life wether its hendign wrenches to my dad at age 3 or rebuilding my truck and atv motors. you better learn what your talkgin about or stfu your explinations are just liek your work over engineered and just need a simple answer that works nto confuse the kid mor eallhe asked was if he can us ethat perticular oil in how trike he didnt need soem scienticic explination.


but her eis my .02 cents on the situation the synthetic oil is nto reccomende dunles sit is formulated for wet clutches but other than that i have been runnign the same old 10-30 pennsoil in mos tof mu bikes for years with no major problems and i ahve really mauled the tar out fo themover the years.

[whyzee]

Engineers are like pilots, they are so smart they are actually stupid!!!

OK people, What makes wet clutches work??????
the answer??????
FRICTION!!!!!!!!!!
Any brand oil is fine you buy at your MOTORCYCLE SHOP as long as it is for wet clutches and fourstrokes. your 350X. I find the Honda oils far superior to anything else out there.

Dont even get me started on two strokes... anybody who puts regular motor oil in thier tranny is missing out on what a real clutch should feel like. Drain that shittly cheap 10w 40 crap you buy at walmart. Go to your local Honda Shop and get the RED BOTTLE gear oil.
Night and day difference guys !!! Anybody who tells you differently has never ridden the bike or 3 wheeler like it should be ridden or has never ridden one with the proper fluids.
This is coming from an Expert Motocross racer who has been through at least 15 brand new bikes, either Suzuki or Honda (couple yami's).
The Honda fluids are the best!!

[TravEX]

I will 4th the notion! Don't out-think the room Geek! I'm gonna try the ignore feature on him, he'll be the first one I've ever done that to. James9r9r and and Mike are difficult to deal with, but DAMN Geek!

I will agree with the room too. All the machines in my sig have off the shelf Valvoline in them (5W30 to 10W40), no problems. I change em all twice a year.

[300rman]

ok, let me tell you what.
put a synthetic oil with friction modifiers in your tranny case and your going to have clutch problems ALL DAY LONG. as WHYZEE stated...clutches operate on FRICTION, put something that is designed to cut friction more than a normal oil (say, AMSOIL crankcase oil) and your clutch will never hook up.

[deathman53]

most regular motor oil contains moly which can and will make your clutch slip, and thus wears the fibers quickly. That is the reason to use motorcyle stuff, it doesn't contain moly(well, most of it, if it does it is cleary marked). I use only synthetic oils, except in my 200x, for some reason it makes the clutch slip where in the other bikes it doesn't. For tranny oil, get the honda stuff in the red bottle or bel-ray gear saver. For motor oil(4 strokes) I like to use klotz 15/50 or 10/40, every bike expect the 200x. 2 stroke oil is a whole another aguement, but whatever you do, don't use any kind of chainsaw, weedwacker or agriculutural 2 stroke oil.

[whyzee]

ok, let me tell you what.
put a synthetic oil with friction modifiers in your tranny case and your going to have clutch problems ALL DAY LONG. as WHYZEE stated...clutches operate on FRICTION, put something that is designed to cut friction more than a normal oil (say, AMSOIL crankcase oil) and your clutch will never hook up.

300rman gets it! Pony up the extra money, go to your MOTORCYCLE SHOP, NOT WAL- MART, and get the proper fluids.
When racing the new 4 stroke motocross bikes, we change the crankcase oil , and tranny oil ,which are now separate, every 3rd fill up , (About 3 hours) You would not believe how dirty the fluids are, And that is running VP U4 race gas @ $11 a gallon.
I am not saying to go to these extremes, but for gods sake put the right oil in the bike and change it often!