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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 14 May 2009
HUBB Advertiser
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Cornwall, England
Posts: 40
Oil and fluid recommendations here!
Grant and Susan have invited us to start an "oil recommendations" thread here... so if you would like any oil advice or a recommendation for your pride and joy please feel free to ask here and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

To help us to give the most accurate advice possible we do need some information about your bike. e.g.

Make:
Model:
Year:
Engine type:
Modifications:
Driving style: (road / off-road / track etc)
Any other information that may be relevant:
What recommendation are you looking for? Engine,Gearbox,Fork etc:

Any oil we recommend is available to buy from us (if you would like to) for delivery throughout the UK and many destinations in Europe... The main motorbike brands we stock are Motul, Silkolene and Castrol.

HUBB members get a 10% discount on our usual prices... just choose "Horizons Unlimited" as your club when registering on the Opie Oils web site

Finally, if there are any products we don't stock and you have difficulty getting hold of elsewhere, let us know and we'll see if we can stock them.

We look forward to being of help to HUBBers!

Cheers
Guy, Opie Oils

You can also contact us by phone on +44 1209 215164

(All oils recommended are available to buy online at my web site)
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Last edited by oilman; 15 May 2009 at 14:11.
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  #2  
Old 15 May 2009
Stephano's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
Honda CRF450X
Quote:
Originally Posted by oilman View Post
please feel free to ask here and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Make: Honda
Model: CRF450x
Year: 2007
Engine type: water-cooled, single
Driving style: off-road & road
Any other information: often very hot weather
What recommendation are you looking for? Engine & Gearbox

What would you recommend and what's your take on the mineral/synthetic debate particularly with regard to the added cost of synthetic oils in relation to (any) benefits (assuming regular oil changes)?

Cheers, Stephan
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  #3  
Old 15 May 2009
Grant Johnson's Avatar
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Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,331
Welcome!
Welcome to the HUBB Guy!

And thanks for volunteering your expertise, it's much appreciated. I know I often wondered what oil was the best for my bike! Many of the bikes in use by travellers are old, and the owners manual states a specification that isn't even available anymore.

Any comments on old recommendations, e.g. GL-3 oils? What is suitable today for motorcycles, not necessarily cars, assuming you're in Mongolia? What do you look for on the can?

thanks!
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  #4  
Old 15 May 2009
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Cornwall, England
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephano View Post
What would you recommend and what's your take on the mineral/synthetic debate particularly with regard to the added cost of synthetic oils in relation to (any) benefits (assuming regular oil changes)?
Stephan, for your CRF450x, the standard recommendation is a 10w30 oil for both the engine and transmission, for year round use. A good, popular ester semi-synthetic 10w30 is Silkolene Comp4

A higher viscosity might be a little more suitable for very hot climates, but might not be so good for year round use. What sort of temperatures are you travelling in?

I've posted a separate thread on the mineral vs synthetic debate.

Cheers
- Guy
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sales@opieoils.co.uk, 01209 202944
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  #5  
Old 15 May 2009
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
Quote:
Originally Posted by oilman View Post
Stephan, for your CRF450x, the standard recommendation is a 10w30 oil for both the engine and transmission, for year round use. A good, popular ester semi-synthetic 10w30 is Silkolene Comp4

A higher viscosity might be a little more suitable for very hot climates, but might not be so good for year round use. What sort of temperatures are you travelling in?

I've posted a separate thread on the mineral vs synthetic debate.

Cheers
- Guy
Thanks, Guy
I read your separate thread and we seem to be in agreement. The Honda dealer here in the UAE (temperature 38°C today going up to 40°C this week), uses 20w-50 mineral oil of SG grade in his bike as "it's less expensive and does the job" and advises more frequent changes if in doubt about the oil's quality.

Not having easy access to a workshop (or a parts warehouse), I feel happy with my routine. I use Mobil 1 Racing 4T (15W-50) in both the engine and gearbox and change both every 25 hours. I see from your site that you also sell it. I can get it here in the UAE for c. £7.30 a litre. So far so good.

Stephan
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  #6  
Old 26 May 2009
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Norway
Posts: 27
What engine oil do you suggest here. Just bought the bike, dont know what has been used before.

Make: Honda
Model: XRV 750 AT
Year: 1994
Engine type: V-Twin
Modifications: K&N air filter
Driving style: road
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  #7  
Old 3 Jun 2009
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Cornwall, England
Posts: 40
Hi,

A good 10w-40 semi or full synthetic is ideal for all year round use.

I personally am a fan of Silkolene and Motul 10w-40

Cheers

Guy
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sales@opieoils.co.uk, 01209 202944
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