Oils

[Ryan87]

I am interested to know what oil everyone is running in their DS450's whether you are a weekend warrior/dunner or full blown racers.

I was currently running BRP's own 5-30 XPS. Think its part synthetic? was planning on racing and was wondering if anyone is racing using this oil?

I also heard that the recommeded oil grade to use in a KTM engine 450/505SX is 10-60w??? 60 seems very thick for a modern racing engine when they say a 0-20w actually makes the most HP in a engine because of drag etc. Any of you technical minded guys shed any light on that?

PS: if anyone mentions about searching for a topic on oils, it cant be done since 'the phrase is too short'.

[CANAMracerdad]

I have been in the south for over 40 years .... our oil will NEVER freeze!
I like thicker oils .. unless we have an oil pressure relief valve..... OH YEAH ... Can Ams have a 12.5 psi pressure relief built into them.
what weight oil do you want lubricating your piston pin through the crankshaft journal and rod at whatever temp that you usually ride ? with 12.5 psi of oil through the engine block . " 40 weight at 12.5 psi at 70 degrees F will move so slow it would upset you " The right oil and weight for you is to be determined by the temp that the engine will perform in as well as the environment that the engine runs in .
I have seen engines hat use 5 weight, here we use engines with 20 to 40 weight .
( at operating temp)
you should realize that a cold engine goes into bypass (dumps engine oil back to tank) if it has too thick of oil .
I have figured out that our engine runs in Bypass mode ( bypasses the oil filter) for the first 5 - 8 min on 15 W 40 ,
do you still want thick oil ?

[fast507]

Typically, if you ride in a hotter climate, the thicker oils will do a better job of cooling and lubricating the engine internals. Another case for thicker oils is use in XC racing, where the engine's ability to cool itself will be compromised by mud on the Radiator, oil tank or engine, or due to the long, stressful operation where the components spend a long time at high temperature.
Lighter oils would have an application for TT Drag and Dune applications where horsepower is a at a premium but there is little risk of clogging the rads. Most times there is great airflow over the engine, rad, oil coolers with these applications.
Most conventional 10w or 20w synthetics and semi-synthetics are adequate for 90% of the riding activities most people engage in. Today's oils are very high tech, and the standards they are required to meet to go to market are very high. Just be sure to use a motorcycle specific motor oil and when in doubt, consult your owners manual.
Oil performance is relative and subject to interperetation. Did you know that regular, old, household Chlorine Bleach will out score most motor oils using SAE Standardized oil performance tests? Don't believe the hype over most oils. Maintainence is the key. Whichever oil you choose, be sure to change it regularly and use the correct application filter for your engine at each oil change.