Recommended oil to use in a 400EX?

[Quick6]

I'm a new owner of a 2000 400EX, and just wondered what was the best type of oil to use. The frame says 10W40 but what brand? I didnt get an owners manual with it. Thanks in advance.

pat

[TC426EX]

Many, many threads on this in the maintenance section... I have found that when it is warm, it is best to run a 20w50 honda GN4 oil. Switch to the 10w40 when it gets cold. The 20w oild wont break down as quickly as the 10w and will perform better. Remember that the same oil that lubes the cylinder lubes the clutch too, so you dont want to run any fully synthetic oil in there. Alot of people will tell you to use mobil 1 red cap 15w50 but I personally would stick to the honda stuff...

mobile 1 red cap is THE BEST

[Florida400EX]

I run Mobile 1 red cap and no problems so far.

[redroost85]

I am assuming that since the 400 is a 2000, that it has already been broken in with conventional oil.

I run Amsoil 0w/40 and love it. If you use any synthetic oil, make sure that it does NOT contain any friction modifiers.

Many guys on here run Mobil 1 red cap, Amsoil, etc... they're all good synthetics.:cool:

[04'400ex'er]

Most of the people that will chime in on this war will tell you that mobile 1 red cap or another motor oil is what they use and they have had no problems with it. They wont for years. The reason they arent the best choice for an atv motor or motorcycle motor ( do not read this if you dont want the best for your machine) Is because they are formulated for an engine and engine only. Motorcycle oils are formulated for transmissions also. These oils would problaby be fine in the motor of a 450R, seeing there is seperate oils for the motor and transmition (dual sump).Car motor oils will break down prematurly causing motor damage. Motorcycle oils formulated for motors and transmissions such as Pro Honda GN4 (my choice) or maxima oils are the only acceptable oils for your motor.

Top that Wilkin.

I know you will.

[Lethalhonda2]

I'm also a Mobil 1 user. I've raced with it in my 400ex for two years with no problems.As long as your doing your routine oil changes I dont think you'll have any problems. Any of the above oils will work fine

[ReconRider25]

i use the honda racing oils myself.:)

[RAPTORAZ]

Originally posted by Jumbo747
mobile 1 red cap is THE BEST


Here's another vote for the RED CAP.

[Toadz400]

I had my dad go to the dealership and pick me up some Honda oil and he came back with this generic crap. I was like wth, he said that the people there recommended it over the Honda oil. It's a brand I've never heard of before and the oil is blue:huh .

[Florida400EX]

The dealership reccomends whatever is in stock/ they make profit off of. Don't listen to them.

[04'400ex'er]

Originally posted by Toadz400
I had my dad go to the dealership and pick me up some Honda oil and he came back with this generic crap. I was like wth, he said that the people there recommended it over the Honda oil. It's a brand I've never heard of before and the oil is blue:huh . Ditch that chit and get GN4, you wont be dissappointed.

[04'400ex'er]

Originally posted by Florida400EX
The dealership reccomends whatever is in stock/ they make profit off of. Don't listen to them. Sounds like you have got some chitty delarships in fl, here there are the expensime maximas and bel rays, then there is the GN4. They reccomend the GN4. You people dont see mobile 1 red cap at any motorcycle shops, do ya???

[Quick6]

Thanks for all the help guys:)

[Florida400EX]

Originally posted by 04'400ex'er
Sounds like you have got some chitty delarships in fl, here there are the expensime maximas and bel rays, then there is the GN4. They reccomend the GN4. You people dont see mobile 1 red cap at any motorcycle shops, do ya???

Hey, you dissin walmart?!?!?!?!?

:p

[400exdad]

A friend of mine had over 4000 miles on his 400EX with no problems... stock clutch in fact.. using the good :D stuff. I switched on mine too because of that and the syns better capacity of heat.

I am now a believer in Mobil 1 and this week, I'll be using synthetic in my new truck....

[Rootar]

my dad has been running castrol 20w-50 atv/motorcycle blend and we have never had a problem in over 11 we had our 2 300s

3 years of Mobil 1 red cap in my 416 that gets rode hard and all parts are fine. Matter of fact I replaced the stock clutch basket and plates about 8 months ago and they looked like they were brand new... I'll run it till my tranny explodes all over the woods from being lubed so good......:huh

[k2-dawg]

GN4 here.

[Doibugu2]

Originally posted by 04'400ex'er
Most of the people that will chime in on this war will tell you that mobile 1 red cap or another motor oil is what they use and they have had no problems with it. They wont for years. The reason they arent the best choice for an atv motor or motorcycle motor

The mobil 1 red cap is one of the few that don't have the friction modifiers that wouldn't allow our clutches to work properly. But you are correct in that you shouldn't just run regular motor oil.