KTM Engine/Gearbox Oil?

[Anonymous]

What do you guys use? Do you use the recommended Motorex oil or something else, if so what?

I have heard some people running Dexron III in there gearbox and reported that it shifts better. The newer KTM XC4 engines run split compartmnets for engine and clutch/gearbox so you could still use the Motorex for the engine side. The same applies for 2 smokers where no engine oil us required (other than in the fuel).

I’m just interested as I’m thinking of giving ther Dexron a go a go in the gearbox. Most decent oils should be fine if replaced every 500Km’s.

[Bruce CurtisMember]

Hey Steve I’ve used ATF type fluids in my smoker gearboxes for years, some of them love it, others get stiifer in shifting, but none have had failures on i. As it is cheap and pleantiful you can change the oil as often as you want and it comes ut clean.

Bruce

[Eric SmithMember]

Whack some diesel oil in there moto, should do the job nicely and is cheap cheap cheap!

[Anonymous]

Did you have any issues with clutch slipping or finding the fluid let’s the clutch slip less after a few hours use? The ATF is a light oil designed for auto trannies where there is plenty of fluid and heat build up isn’t quite so intense as a motorcyle engine only holding a litre of oil?

I think I’ll give it a go and see how it goes

[Anonymous]

ECKS-Man wrote:

Quote:

Whack some diesel oil in there moto, should do the job nicely and is cheap cheap cheap!

I would use diesel oil ECKS if I had a tractor or a Honda…same thing

[Bruce CurtisMember]

auto trannies have lots of heat generated through friction in the clutch plates and torque convertor as they drag a much larger and torquier setup along in all conditions now most auto trans don’t get their oil changed as often as they should without detriment so my reasoning is ATF is probably better than we need as far as heat dissapation and friction issues, the only other issue that could rear its head may be oil shearing between the gear teeth, but if changed regularly will not be an issue as autos do have this action as well.

Bruce “I am not a trannie expert” C.

[Eric SmithMember]

Mr Blue wrote:

Quote:

auto trannies have lots of heat generated through friction in the clutch plates and torque convertor as they drag a much larger and torquier setup along in all conditions now most auto trans don’t get their oil changed as often as they should without detriment so my reasoning is ATF is probably better than we need as far as heat dissapation and friction issues, the only other issue that could rear its head may be oil shearing between the gear teeth, but if changed regularly will not be an issue as autos do have this action as well.

Bruce “I am not a trannie expert” C.

Interesting, never heard of ATF in bikes before. I have, however, heard of people using diesel in 4T’s. Not keen myself though.:dry:

Glad you’re not a trannie Bruce, that would have scared a lot of people!

[dennis da menaceMember]

yep, tranny oil is good. i ran it in my old kdx200 for years and it never had a problemo.

i dont reeeeally want it in my new kato though.

i didnt spend that much money to be cheap on oil…

menace

[Bruce CurtisMember]

I have been assurred over the years by some very wise men that t’is better to use cheaper oil and change frequently than to use an expensive oil and change at recommended intervals or less frequently.

Sorta works for me.

Bruce C.

[Anonymous]

I can see the positves for both. I still think the heat temperature an auto trannie will work at will be lower than the bike due to the differential in oil levels. I don’t have specific numbers but it takes a significant amount of heat to heat a larger volume of oil. Simply put:- 10% extra oil could handle 20% extra heat.

The fact that the little Kato has bugger all oil in there and you could be fanning the clutch the whole day means it would be more stressed that an auto gearbox. You do have a very valid point aabout auto trannie service intervals though.

In short, I agree with Bruce, if you make regular changes with a normal oil I think it will as good, if not better than recommended changes with a ‘special’ oil. The only potenetial issue as is Bruce has already mention, shearing of the oil.

I’ll give it a trial run for a couple of oil changes and see how it goes. If I don’t like it or I start getting false neutrals it will come straight out.

[DavidMember]

I have run the ATF in all the 2-strokers I have owned for the last 25-30 years, I also run the stuff through both of my boys race bikes for the last 5 years and will continue to do so, my thinking is like mentioned by Mr Blue, its better to change it regularly a little early, rather than running a “BRAND” name oil and using it to the Max or more, even saying “its good oil, its the best so it can handle one more ride”,that one more ride with sh@t oil will do 5 rides damage, so I buy the no name ATF suitable for ya car, and change the bikes oil after 5 – 10 liters of fuel burned (depending on the bikes engine size)and I dont have clutch or gearbox issues.
The problem clutches in the KTM 50’s always come from guys not doing regular oil changes, I know , I fix em, I know an auto 50 is not the same as a bigger geared bike , but the scenario is same same, just different revs and forces involved, the wearing surfaces of the clutches are the same, the bearings and gears are the same, ATF will handle these stresses and more, it will work no dramas for all two strokers, but you need to change the oil very very regularly,

[ChrisMember]

Mr Blue wrote:

Quote:

I have been assurred over the years by some very wise men that t’is better to use cheaper oil and change frequently than to use an expensive oil and change at recommended intervals or less frequently.

Sorta works for me.

Bruce C.

I have been thinking about this, I change oil every 500kms or less depending. I pay about 60.00 for 4 litres and it seems a very short time for the oil to be in there. I was thinking since it is changed so frequently I could use a cheaper oil. (also change the filter every oil change $7.50) On the other side an oil change with the good stuff costs around 25.00 a go so for piece of mind I will continue using the good stuff. But is the good stuff really any better, I have seen 5l or Mobil motorbike 4T oil for a lot cheaper.

Cheers
Chris.

[ChrisMember]

Mr Blue wrote:

Quote:

I have been assurred over the years by some very wise men that t’is better to use cheaper oil and change frequently than to use an expensive oil and change at recommended intervals or less frequently.

Sorta works for me.

Bruce C.

What oil are you using Bruce?

Chris.

[Bruce CurtisMember]

Castrol DXIV for 2T gearboxes, on the 4T engine oil, if mobil make it I trust it, easy rule for me to follow.

Bruce C.

[Anonymous]

Motorex is $110 for 4 litres though Chris and the gearbox takes 1.1L whilst the engine only takes 600mL. If you switched to ATF Dexon at however much it costs you could change the gearbox oil every 250K’s (half of the engine oil life) and still save a heap.

As mentioend I’ll give it a whirl, I may also experiment with a decent synth oil for the engine.

[Author]

Posts