What are people running for fork/shock oil these days?

stone881
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Fruita, CO, USA
I always run Honda oil, but suspension is a bit more complex these days, coatings, material changes, etc. Since I am tearing down my suspension for servicing, I am wondering if running Proline 5w in the fork and 2.5w in the shock is still the best way to go.

What are you guys running?
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dmm698
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6/20/2019 7:51pm
stone881 wrote:
I always run Honda oil, but suspension is a bit more complex these days, coatings, material changes, etc. Since I am tearing down my suspension for...
I always run Honda oil, but suspension is a bit more complex these days, coatings, material changes, etc. Since I am tearing down my suspension for servicing, I am wondering if running Proline 5w in the fork and 2.5w in the shock is still the best way to go.

What are you guys running?
KYB K2C shock oil. Whatever 5 weight oil for the forks I have around. Same thing for my a kit stuff. An legendary tuner told me the only difference in oils writhing reason is the placebo effect in your mind and a lighter wallet.
stone881
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6/20/2019 8:46pm
stone881 wrote:
I always run Honda oil, but suspension is a bit more complex these days, coatings, material changes, etc. Since I am tearing down my suspension for...
I always run Honda oil, but suspension is a bit more complex these days, coatings, material changes, etc. Since I am tearing down my suspension for servicing, I am wondering if running Proline 5w in the fork and 2.5w in the shock is still the best way to go.

What are you guys running?
dmm698 wrote:
KYB K2C shock oil. Whatever 5 weight oil for the forks I have around. Same thing for my a kit stuff. An legendary tuner told me...
KYB K2C shock oil. Whatever 5 weight oil for the forks I have around. Same thing for my a kit stuff. An legendary tuner told me the only difference in oils writhing reason is the placebo effect in your mind and a lighter wallet.
Pretty much what I always thought too, brand doesn't mean much. I suppose the Honda oil is developed with Showa and about the same as KYB.
colvin227
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6/21/2019 5:43am Edited Date/Time 6/21/2019 5:46am
I like the Pro Honda HP5 or Maxima racing Fork fluid 85/150(blue label) for any brand of forks. KYB 01 is great Fork oil and what a lot of the big tuners use but it’s a little on the pricey side for me. Maxima racing shock fluid (pink label) is great stuff and affordable.
kb228
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6/21/2019 7:49am
I use whatever is on the shelf at the shop. Dont think it matters much
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slipdog
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6/21/2019 12:11pm
Rotella
FahQ
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6/21/2019 1:18pm
slipdog wrote:
Rotella
Dexron 6
6/22/2019 2:52am
We mainly use KYB, we do use RaceTech oil if the customer would like to pay a little more for the oil.
kwoody51
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Wayzata, MN, USA
6/23/2019 5:20pm
I use Maxima racing Fork fluid 85/150(blue label) as well. Seems to work fine in the outer fork chamber.
m21racing
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Reno, NV, USA
6/24/2019 8:02am
Maxima full synrhetic shock oil, 3wt its got a silver label, and the fluid is clear, not red. I have found it to work well, so i use it. Although, kyb, motul, silkolene, showa all make good shock oils. AMS shock therapy light is good too, and will work in forks.
colvin227
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6/24/2019 9:28am Edited Date/Time 6/24/2019 9:29am
m21racing wrote:
Maxima full synrhetic shock oil, 3wt its got a silver label, and the fluid is clear, not red. I have found it to work well, so...
Maxima full synrhetic shock oil, 3wt its got a silver label, and the fluid is clear, not red. I have found it to work well, so i use it. Although, kyb, motul, silkolene, showa all make good shock oils. AMS shock therapy light is good too, and will work in forks.
See I was always reserved to use the Amsoil in the shock because the VI is rather low as compared to other options. VI is around 200 and the cSt values put the oil in about a 5w category vs a 2.5-3wt like you would look for in a moto shock fluid. I’m an amsoil dealer so I would like to be able to use it but I think there are better options. I could be wrong though never tried it in the rear but I have in the forks with good results.
m21racing
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6/24/2019 9:37am
m21racing wrote:
Maxima full synrhetic shock oil, 3wt its got a silver label, and the fluid is clear, not red. I have found it to work well, so...
Maxima full synrhetic shock oil, 3wt its got a silver label, and the fluid is clear, not red. I have found it to work well, so i use it. Although, kyb, motul, silkolene, showa all make good shock oils. AMS shock therapy light is good too, and will work in forks.
colvin227 wrote:
See I was always reserved to use the Amsoil in the shock because the VI is rather low as compared to other options. VI is around...
See I was always reserved to use the Amsoil in the shock because the VI is rather low as compared to other options. VI is around 200 and the cSt values put the oil in about a 5w category vs a 2.5-3wt like you would look for in a moto shock fluid. I’m an amsoil dealer so I would like to be able to use it but I think there are better options. I could be wrong though never tried it in the rear but I have in the forks with good results.
Honestly, we have used it with no trouble. I have seen it after 30 hours, and was not horrible.

Interesting, the heavy blue bottle is recommended for use in wp, while the light is not. If shock is valved properly, and bled correctly, you should not have a problem with any decent oil. Most of the "gross offender" looking crap that pours out of shocks is from overdue service, parts failing (bladders), and poor tuning causing over-stroking/imbalanced pressures.
colvin227
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6/24/2019 9:51am
m21racing wrote:
Maxima full synrhetic shock oil, 3wt its got a silver label, and the fluid is clear, not red. I have found it to work well, so...
Maxima full synrhetic shock oil, 3wt its got a silver label, and the fluid is clear, not red. I have found it to work well, so i use it. Although, kyb, motul, silkolene, showa all make good shock oils. AMS shock therapy light is good too, and will work in forks.
colvin227 wrote:
See I was always reserved to use the Amsoil in the shock because the VI is rather low as compared to other options. VI is around...
See I was always reserved to use the Amsoil in the shock because the VI is rather low as compared to other options. VI is around 200 and the cSt values put the oil in about a 5w category vs a 2.5-3wt like you would look for in a moto shock fluid. I’m an amsoil dealer so I would like to be able to use it but I think there are better options. I could be wrong though never tried it in the rear but I have in the forks with good results.
m21racing wrote:
Honestly, we have used it with no trouble. I have seen it after 30 hours, and was not horrible. Interesting, the heavy blue bottle is recommended...
Honestly, we have used it with no trouble. I have seen it after 30 hours, and was not horrible.

Interesting, the heavy blue bottle is recommended for use in wp, while the light is not. If shock is valved properly, and bled correctly, you should not have a problem with any decent oil. Most of the "gross offender" looking crap that pours out of shocks is from overdue service, parts failing (bladders), and poor tuning causing over-stroking/imbalanced pressures.
Right makes sense. But the “heavier” weight might affect tuning slightly making a stiffer setting than with a mite traditional shock weight. But is it capable? Sure anything amsoil puts out is top notch stuff. I may give it a try as a test too see. I’ve never had issues with the maxima (pink label) always stays consistent and comes out clean when changed. As you alluded too that’s they key. Regular change intervals and proper nitrogen servicing.
dingo94
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NZ
6/24/2019 10:16pm
redline high vi and silky smooth
Spudnut
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USA
6/28/2019 6:57am
Maxima or nothin.
Shock oil in shock
fork oil in fork
BobPA
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6/28/2019 9:43am
Bel Ray
lumpy790
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6/29/2019 9:17am
Golden Spectro Cartridge & Shock suspension fluid has special additives that reduces stiction. I will not use anything else.

The name Lump comes from my Lump Racing Suspension shop I had in MD. 1 time had a rider come in for revalving and he supplied his own sponsors suspension fluids which I used. Jonathan left the track the same after a race so we went to Buds Creek to do testing after it was done. When I watched him I knew it should be working a better. Had him come back to the box van and changed the fluids. He went back out on it and could not believe the difference and said he never would have believed that just changing the fluids made that much of a difference.

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