KLR650 oil help!

[page62]

Fancy oils are overrated for a bike as basic as the KLR. It's almost silly to fun an expensive synthetic you're going to dump after 2K miles. What's more important is the oil change interval. Change your oil and filter as suggested and use whatever tickles your fancy. Oh, and 87 octane gas is fine, too. This beast will run on damn near anything that burns!

Disclosure: Last oil change I used Castrol Tection Extra 15w40 because it was on sale for $9.99 at AutoZone.

[SAR Medic]

What are the thoughts between regular oil and motorcycle specific oils with the JASO certification.

[Motomantra]

www.bobistheoilguy.com

[SprintST]

My '08 KLR burns through so much oil (1 quart every 600 miles) that I've starting accepting the fact that it's only the filter I need to change at interval, not the oil. Through the regular top-ups new oil is continually being added. OK, I do change the oil too, but the consumption issue really pisses me off. I figure that I spend about 10% of my fuel costs in oil top-ups. That's absurd.

Must check out the 685 kit.

[Bigger Al]

Originally Posted by Big Jake McCandles

yeah, i have seen the threads but they were not very specific. i just looking for some more opinions. i am leaning towards the rotella, 11.50 gal at the local mart. just wondering if any of you had any experience with it. but will it hold up fine in the ca heat? they thing is too, that i am 6'4 375 and the engine has work hard, especially at highway speeds.

I live not too far from you and the Rotella has been just fine in my KLR. I'm 260 lbs., and the bike never gives me a moment's worry. The Rotella is formulated for diesel engines, which are far harsher on lube than any motorcycle engine.

[SuRfR]

My 02 was using a quart of oil every 1,00 miles or so. I tried using 20/50 during the hot months here in NorCal and it seemed to help stop the oil usage. I went back to 10/40 in the fall and it seems to have been using less oil.

I plan on adding the Thermo_Bob before it gets too hot here this summ, to prevent the excessive overheating, and I will probably stick with the 10/40.

I prefer to change the oil every 1,00 miles or so. Its a cheap way to extend engine and clutch life

[threadkiller]

I run Wal Mart Super Tech 20w-50.

No complaints.

[Muddpuppy]

Rotella T 15-40 worjks great in my 08 KLR. One of the guys I ride with has 65k on his o4 KLR with no problems

[blatant]

Originally Posted by threadkiller

I run Wal Mart Super Tech 20w-50.

No complaints.

so you're saying just regular old super tech, like the shit I'd put in my car for example...not motorcycle specific oil?


I just bought 3 liters of castorl actevo xtra 4t from cyclegear for 14.00, 4.65 per quart. Seemed reasonable all things considered with moto oil.

However If i can get away with running walmart shit for 1.80 a qt or whatever I'd definitely do that.

Some or thread killer please confirm the above quote. thx

[JeffD]

you can run any cheap old oil that does not have the energy saving star.

[KilLeR Kawasaki]

You'd need to look far and wide to beat the effectiveness and cost of Rotella.

[Chaos-in-MT]

Originally Posted by KilLeR Kawasaki

You'd need to look far and wide to beat the effectiveness and cost of Rotella.

Delo maybe??

[sorebutt]

Synthetic oils don't break down as fast in heat. Diesel oil is designed for the higher sheer of diesel engines. Either will work fine.

Why is it that Kawa says to change the oil every 7500 miles and many riders say 2000 miles. Does Kawa say that so they will have warranty problems or people will blow up engines and have to buy new bikes?

Kawa worked with the oil and additive companies to determine when the oil starts breaking down. Personally, I think 7500 is a little long, but I also think 2000 is wasting money and contributing to terrorist countries.

The best thing to do is get an oil analysis and see when you should change your oil based on your riding rather than take the advice of people on the internet. An analysis will pay for itself when you save money on oil changes or damaged engine.

[Überschall]

my first 4 oil changes I used Rotella 15W-40. Last oil change I switched to Amsoil 20W-50 for summer and will put in Amsoil 10W-40 next change for winter. My wife has a KLX250SF she uses the same oil as me. I went to amsoil so I could change every 2500 miles. I changed the Rotella every 1000 miles. Actually first 2 changes were a few hundred miles due to break in.

Going to amsoil I noticed smoother gear shifts and maybe a little quiter engine but I can't say for sure. I do use oil a little now. Went from top line to close to bottom line on site window after a ~800 mile road trip with a good bit of higher speed riding. Not sure if that's a coincidence, I did use some oil with the rotella too. My wifes KLX250 did NOT use one drop of oil. And she was pushing it keeping it at 60 to 70 MPH. And our bikes were loaded with camping gear and we put a large windshield on her KLX which causes more drag.

2009 KLR

[East Coast Rider]

2002 KLR650. Just rolled over 40K. Still thumpin' along without skipping a beat. I have just begun to notice about 8ozs. of oil usage over the course of 3,000 miles. I have used conventional Mobil Delvac 15/40 for the most part, but it has M1 15w50 car synth in it now. It is happy with either.

You DO NOT need to use a motorcycle specific oil in your KLR.