Engine oil advice

[AdamCap]

Hi all, ive tried searching the forums and googling first before posting this as to not waste time, but to no avail. Ive just picked up my first bike a 97 Honda Hornet 250, its in good nick but has been in storage for 3 years, started every so often, but I want to change the oil even before I ride it. Could anyone tell me the best engine oil to use, or recommend any brands? I know it sounds like a simple question but Ive had so many different answers including many from the dealers. Some say you must only use motorbike specific oil, some say thats a crock use magnatec, some say use Motul 5100, some say that messes with your gears...Also would it be beneficial to disassemble clutches etc for soaking? use an engine flush? its actually running pretty nice , but its in my nature to mess with things, OCD takes over. Thanks for any help

[awayatc]

Motorbike without separate gearbox.....Motorbike specific oil. Otherwise your clutch will slip.
Change oil. Ride a few hundred kms.... change oil again...
Get mineral oil....not synthetic

[AdamCap]

Motorbike without separate gearbox.....Motorbike specific oil. Otherwise your clutch will slip.
Change oil. Ride a few hundred kms.... change oil again...
Get mineral oil....not synthetic

Thanks mate appreciate the fast response.

[pritch]

Motul is a good brand. Your local Honda dealer should be able to recommend something suitable which will probably be semi or full synthetic. You could also check for 250 Hornet owners groups on the 'Net, although it's possible some brands of oil they mention will not be available here.

I no longer use mineral oil in anything except guns, but there's plenty gun owners use Mobile 1.

[local]

Some car oils are OK, just not the ones with friction modifiers. I've been using Penrite HPR5 for a while now as it's suitable for all of our vehicles, including wet clutch bikes.

I wouldn't run a flush through it, they usually cause more issues than they solve on older stuff. Just do a few short interval changes as already suggested if the OCD gets the better of you.

[5ive]

You should be able to use any 10w-40 oil, just make sure it doesn't have any of the previously mentioned friction modifiers.

Here's a badly translated PDF manual for your bike if you want to see what else you can mess with: http://www.mediafire.com/download/fgyvwfc89ujww5m/Hornet250_CB250F_Manual.pdf

[AllanB]

Semi synthetic name brand motorcycle oil 10w40 will do you.

Note I found with my Hornet 900 the gears were fussy about the oil brand. Did not like Castrol. Liked Motul. Loved full synthetic Amsoil.

Motul is priced the same as the other semis - I'd locate a pack of that for your 250.

[iYRe]

i use penrite diesel motorbike oil. Cheap, and the bike seems a lot more quiet, gears and clutch smoother... and apparently has all the sciency stuff that makes it help the wear and tear minimise.

[WristTwister]

Some say you must only use motorbike specific oil, some say thats a crock use magnatec, some say use Motul 5100, some say that messes with your gears...

All I know is, he's called the Stig!:lol:

[Black Knight]

i use penrite diesel motorbike oil. Cheap, and the bike seems a lot more quiet, gears and clutch smoother... and apparently has all the sciency stuff that makes it help the wear and tear minimise.

Someone makes diesel motorbikes?-On a serious note which Penrite are you actually using?

[Erelyes]

I like Total (http://www.totaloilsolutions.co.nz/our-products/cars/motorcycle-4-stroke/). The 'Sport' should be fine for your application.

I have used both that and the Racing and they have worked well.

Don't bother with flushes or disassembling etc. Ditch the oil, change the filter, fill her up, gravy.

[local]

Someone makes diesel motorbikes?-On a serious note which Penrite are you actually using?

At a guess I'd say HPR Diesel 10

320956


Rated for cars, trucks and bikes

[AllanB]

Penrite have a oil selector on their website.

My issue with them is the advertising of 'extra 10' basically they recommend a higher weight operating oil than the factory specs. A 10w30 - Pentire extra 10 is 10w40. 10w40? they say 10w50 and so on.......

It's a very dated theory not followed by any other brand.

[Moise]

Penrite have a oil selector on their website.

My issue with them is the advertising of 'extra 10' basically they recommend a higher weight operating oil than the factory specs. A 10w30 - Pentire extra 10 is 10w40. 10w40? they say 10w50 and so on.......

It's a very dated theory not followed by any other brand.
It's because they're an Aussie company and it can get bloody hot over there.

As you can see, there's lots of opinions. I'd put in a high detergent oil (diesel) for a few hundred km, then change it. Don't use an engine flush.

Any 10W-40 should be fine. Just stay clear of the energy conserving stuff - 10W-30 or thinner.

[george formby]

The advice I go by is to use oil specified as Jaso Ma. INFO (http://www.oilspecifications.org/jaso.php). As for brand I'm not to fussed as I change the oil frequently. I do avoid no name, red dot oils.

[AdamCap]

Cheers for all the help, ended up running with penrite, runs like a top. Now for some practice. Although it seems I'm the only one who bought a bike at the start of winter in Central otago...

[awayatc]

Character building....

[Flip]

A oil that meets the JASO Ma spec is suitable for motorcycle wet clutches.

Some bikes need these oils some don't.

I run Valvoline mixed fleet lube (diesel/Petrol) in almost everything I own other than the lotus that runs on Mobil 1 and the Harley that gets Mobil 1 V2 or HD Syn 3. Last time I changed the oil in the BMW I used a Penrite 20W50+10 synthetic oil (I won it in a raffel), yes im putting a synthetic in a vintage bike but it seems fine.

[Swivel]

Someone makes diesel motorbikes?-On a serious note which Penrite are you actually using?

Harley Davidson?