OIL?

[AL_CRF450]

Has anyone ever heard or using Rotella diesel oil in the new 450s?

[char393]

Yup, my hubby is runnin it in both sides of his crf450. no complaints here.

[AL_CRF450]

Thanks a lot! I do believe i will give it a try.

[char393]

No problem. He runs the non-synth 15w40. I run the synth 5w40 in my 250f. Neither bike has complained yet.

and welcome to ATM

[Miles711]

+1 for the rotella. I did a bunch of oil research on the CRF forum on TT and most of them agree that rotella is the best package of performance/price.

I plan to start running the synthetic stuff as soon as my bike is completely broken in.

[yzernie]

I hear the Rotella stinks when you do oil changes. Don't know or don't remember why though.

[Woody_393]

I've ran both the Synth 5w40 and 15w40 Rotella and just loved the stuff.

My 03 crf would shift notchy with everything else, but not the rotella or Mobil 1 (just to expensive).

[AL_CRF450]

Thanks a lot everyone! No more expensive oil for me.

[kjjz28]

Originally Posted by char393

Yup, my hubby is runnin it in both sides of his crf450. no complaints here.

I apologize for bringing up an old post.

Char....just purchased a used '05 CRF250. When you say "both sides", is he running it in the tranny and the engine? I have a Duramax diesel and have heard nothing but good things about Rotella but have never used it. What benefits does it have over the HP? The previous owner of the bike indicated he used HP in the engine and transmission. Any cause for concern if I switch? Thanks for your help.

[Woody_393]

I'm not char, but I can confirm, yes, both tranny and engine.

The stuff is less expensive, and IMOP, better oil.

[kjjz28]

Woody...what weight are you using and are you using synthetic? Any changes from summer to winter? Thanks for your help!

[kjjz28]

Originally Posted by char393

No problem. He runs the non-synth 15w40. I run the synth 5w40 in my 250f. Neither bike has complained yet.

and welcome to ATM

Char...So you run 5W40 synthethic in your CRF250. Where do you or your husband purchase your Rotella? Thanks.

[char393]

Daniel runs the 15w-40 in his crf. As I said, he's not had any issues and runs the same oil summer and winter...well, you know what Texas calls winter anyway.

That's all he's run in the bike since we got it and don't have any complaints. It's relatively inexpensive at Wally World and easy to find. It's also the same oil we run in all the trucks at work, as well as our personal trucks. Good stuff, IMO.

[kjjz28]

Char...thanks very much for the info. I've read a lot of good things over at DieselPlace about Rotella but have never used it. Certainly didn't know you could use it on these thumpers. I haven't purchased a manual yet for my 250 so is 5W40 the recommended oil? It gets a little colder up here north of Dallas than in Conroe but not much. I think we had a few days in the teens last year (I went ahead and put some anti-gel in the Duramax to be safe).

On a side note, I was in The Woodlands last week for a meeting. Where is a good place to trail ride down on your neck of the woods?

[char393]

I have a yz250f, so I honestly can't tell you what the recommended oil is. I just choose to run the synthetic, although I change it every other ride, so the non-synth would probably be just fine. I am just happy with the way the shifting feels, that's why I've stuck with the synth.

We rode at Nocona last Feb, I think it was 27 degrees when we started riding. It was pretty danged cold!

Our trail riding has been done up in your neck of the woods, St Jo or Bulcher (as Keeto would say) and up in OK. I think down here you've got the Sam Houston National Forest and Cross Creek offers trails too. There's a place called Outlaw, but I think you need someone to guest you in there.

You'll have to let us know next time you're down this way. If you don't mind hitting the track, there's 3 Palms right nearby. And welcome to ATM

[Woody_393]

Originally Posted by kjjz28

Woody...what weight are you using and are you using synthetic? Any changes from summer to winter? Thanks for your help!

In my CRF450, I ran the synthetic -- It only comes in 5w40, so that's what I ran all year round. And yes it get cold here.

[kjjz28]

Char & Woody...thanks for the info and the welcome. This is a great site and I'm looking forward to getting back into riding along with my son. I found some great deals on a used 2005 CRF70 and a used 2005 CRF250 from individuals here in the DFW area. They are early Christmas presents for both of us but he won't see them until next month! I just want to make sure I replace the oil & tranny fluids etc before I crank them up. I'm starting to learn this CRF250 will require a bit more maintenance than the CR250 2-smokers I've ridden in the past!

[Woody_393]

yep, be prepared to give it some TLC, but they are great bikes.

CRFJedi has a ton of experience with the CRF250, so you're in good hands here. And his seem to last quite well.

[241]

Up here in the Great White North. the only Rotella Synthetic we can get is 0w-40. Is this still ok to use in the bike?
Thanks

[ossagp]

It will work as well as 5w40 will.