Recommended oil to use in 400ex?

[adawg89]

I searched but said oil was to short of term to use so I decided just to post here. What oil is good for the 4 wheelers? I was thinking of just getting a bottle of mobil one full synthetic oil like 10w-40 is that ok or stay away from it? What would you recommend?

Thanks!

[sprayedgt]

That's what I use. No problems yet.

[CJM]

I use mobil 1 15w-50, its all relative tho. 10w-40 is good too.

[sprayedgt]

I think more important than what brand, it all comes down to what temp are you riding in. If you use too thick of an oil and are riding on cold weather you're at risk of engine damage since it doesn't flow good when cold.

10w-40 is good for all around riding winter and summer. And don't go by what brands when buying it. The majority of the time it's all the same crap with a different name.

On the back there will be a rating. S- something. SM is probably the highest rated oil you can buy off the shelf. All oil gets rated by the same place. The higher the second letter the better quality the oil is.

I use STP 10w-40 because it's cheap and has a SM rating

[adawg89]

Originally posted by DMC-4OOEX
10w-40 is good for all around riding winter and summer. And don't go by what brands when buying it. The majority of the time it's all the same crap with a different name.

On the back there will be a rating. S- something. SM is probably the highest rated oil you can buy off the shelf. All oil gets rated by the same place. The higher the second letter the better quality the oil is.

Thanks man!
I use STP 10w-40 because it's cheap and has a SM rating

[dave4881]

Just be sure you don't use an Energy Conserving oil. Check the SAE (round) symbol on the oil container. If it says "Energy Saving", it will eventually cause your clutches to slip.

See the same warning in your Honda Owner's manual.

[adawg89]

Originally posted by dave4881
Just be sure you don't use an Energy Conserving oil. Check the SAE (round) symbol on the oil container. If it says "Energy Saving", it will eventually cause your clutches to slip.

See the same warning in your Honda Owner's manual.

Ok thanks!:D

[CJM]

Not for nothing but use only synthetic oil, regular oil will break done way faster.

[adawg89]

Originally posted by CJM
Not for nothing but use only synthetic oil, regular oil will break done way faster.

I use full synthetic in all of my cars/trucks. :D

[sprayedgt]

I thought the oil for a 400ex needed to have the MA rating? That's what my manual said.

[gpd005]

Rotella T 15W-40 for me. Much cheaper than synthetic and i change it after each race.

[bry14661]

Use the Honda GN4 stuff. The motor was built based on this oil so why would you not run it?

[scuzz]

Originally posted by bry14661
Use the Honda GN4 stuff. The motor was built based on this oil so why would you not run it?

That's what I use too. I don't ride a lot so it doesn't get expensive.

[sprayedgt]

Synthetic is superior to conventional. Read the facts, and dyno sheets on the debate. Just because Honda uses it doesn't mean it's the best for the engine. Honda recommends using their oil because of liability issues also. You don't use it, have an engine failure within the warranty period, they can and most likely will dispute and deny a claim. Honda doesn't drill, pump, or put oil into a barrel. They do however put their name on an oil bottle. Oil that someone else makes for them.

[EPDP99]

I used to run mobile one red cap beore it switched from "for use with wet clutches" to friction modifies added. I have used and heard good things about rotella T synthetic but have been using honda synthetic for the last year or so. My brothers 465 he runs rotella t synthetic with no issues...

Originally posted by bry14661
Use the Honda GN4 stuff. The motor was built based on this oil so why would you not run it?

Because all oil is pretty much the same chit.

You'd be surprised how many different oil brands are probably the same thing as another with a different container.

And all oils are rated at the same place.. and as long as it's an SM rating its good oil.

[400ex28]

Honda GN4 is all i ran in my old 416 no problems

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by EPDP99
I used to run mobile one red cap beore it switched from "for use with wet clutches" to friction modifies added. I have used and heard good things about rotella T synthetic but have been using honda synthetic for the last year or so. My brothers 465 he runs rotella t synthetic with no issues...

You can still run that Mobil 1 15w50. I used to run the red cap 15w50 as well, but it now has a silver cap and a red label. No friction modifiers. You can run the gold cap 15w50 as well. Just FYI.

New "red cap" bottle
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Images/Products/M1_15w50_top.gif

I run the Shell Rotella T 5w40 synthetic when it's not too hot out. It's great stuff and quite inexpensive for a quality full synthetic.

[adawg89]

Originally posted by NacsMXer


I run the Shell Rotella T 5w40 synthetic when it's not too hot out. It's great stuff and quite inexpensive for a quality full synthetic.

Are you sure its not synthetic blend?

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by adawg89
Are you sure its not synthetic blend?

It's not a synthetic blend.

Shell Rotella T 5w40 is fully synthetic and is found in the dark blue bottle
http://news.fleetequipmentmag.com/files/images/ShellRotellaTS5w40.jpg

Rotella T 15w40 is a non-synthetic heavy duty conventional and is found in the white bottle
http://www.fleetmag.com/images/article/1197490934543_p27_2.jpg

[coryatver]

I used mobile red cap, but then after they changed there bottles i didn't know what kind to use so I switched to using Shaeffer 20w50 sythetic after gt thunder recommended it.

I would never waist my money on the honda junk. cheap oil with a honda label and WAYYY overpriced. You don't have to run honda oil for warranty you can use any oil that meets the guidelines in the user manual.

[adawg89]

Now oil filters where to get those? autozone or will I need to go to a honda dealer.

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by adawg89
Now oil filters where to get those? autozone or will I need to go to a honda dealer.

I like OEM Honda filters myself, so I typically buy a few at a time at the dealer. One of the few items I will actually buy from a dealer.

You can also buy EMGO filters in bulk off of Ebay for cheap, they make good quality oil filters.

or

You can get a Fram #CH6015 filter from Walmart etc. It even comes with a new o-ring for the oil filter cover.

[omeeomy]

i run amsoil for 4 stroke wet clutch bikes

[dave4881]

Originally posted by omeeomy
i run amsoil for 4 stroke wet clutch bikes

Me too! Amsoil 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil.

But, any 100% synthetic is a good oil. Just change it often too! Engines like clean, slippery oil!

[ae13291]

is it really ok to run a non motorcycle oil? is it ok to use? since it doesent have the friction modifier? i have seen mobil 1 cycle oil in the black bottles, why doesent anybody use that one? i also have a bunch of mobil 1 full synthetic i use for my car but is that ok to use in my 400ex since it doesent say its for wet clutch?

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by ae13291
is it really ok to run a non motorcycle oil? is it ok to use? since it doesent have the friction modifier? i have seen mobil 1 cycle oil in the black bottles, why doesent anybody use that one? i also have a bunch of mobil 1 full synthetic i use for my car but is that ok to use in my 400ex since it doesent say its for wet clutch?

You can run non-motorcycle oil, but you need to do your homework first. People do use the Mobil 1 in the black bottle, it is called MX4T, but it tends to be more expensive per quart than the regular automotive Mobil 1.

To my knowledge, there are 2 types of Mobil 1 that are safe to use in a wet clutch motor (non-energy conserving, no friction modifiers).

- Mobil 1 15w50 with the red label
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Images/Products/M1_15w50_top.gif

and

- Mobil 1 15w50 Extended Performance (gold cap)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kS9svJzQL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

Avoid all other types of Mobil 1 like the plague.

[ae13291]

Originally posted by NacsMXer
You can run non-motorcycle oil, but you need to do your homework first. People do use the Mobil 1 in the black bottle, it is called MX4T, but it tends to be more expensive per quart than the regular automotive Mobil 1.

To my knowledge, there are 2 types of Mobil 1 that are safe to use in a wet clutch motor (non-energy conserving, no friction modifiers).

- Mobil 1 15w50 with the red label
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Images/Products/M1_15w50_top.gif

and

- Mobil 1 15w50 Extended Performance (gold cap)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kS9svJzQL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

Avoid all other types of Mobil 1 like the plague.

well i would like to run more of a 10w40 oil. would the 10w40 work?? and are you guys sure its not going to damage my clutch or tranny?

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by ae13291
well i would like to run more of a 10w40 oil. would the 10w40 work?? and are you guys sure its not going to damage my clutch or tranny?

Run the 10w40 Mobil 1 MX4T in the black bottle.

[dave4881]

Or you can run Amsoil 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil. Its not cheap, but its good stuff.

[hondaman146]

this is just my experience with synthetic oil but i haven't has any luck with it what so ever, i ran it in my warrior and then my rod bearing went out, and then my uncle ran it in his race car and blew his motor up and when you pour it, it pours like water and when you drain it its still like the viscocity of water, so i'll never run it again its just my experience with it.

[ginobili07]

I use the valvoline ATV 10w-40 oil and it works really good and have had no problems with it.

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=77

[kilgoja]

honda hp4 without moly

[ae13291]

well the current oil i use is the motorcycle castrol act-evo semi synthetic oil 10w40 i like the oil but i think since the 400ex is air cooled i really believe i should move to a full synthetic. i was considering the mobil 1 black bottle from walmart but they stopped carrying it! now i cant find it any cheaper then $12 a bottle. what would u guys recommend? is the act-evo good? with the fram filter?

[Pipeless416]

i basically run the same as nacs, except i use the mx4t 20w50 during the summer. that crap is expensive though at like $9/ quart. i switch to rotella t 5w40 when it gets colder out. its been working for me so far. nacs, just curious as to what dealer you go to? ever been to nielsens?