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1968
Joined
7/21/2011
Location
Galesburg, IL, USA
Edited Date/Time
12/12/2021 6:37am
Put together a list of 10w50 oils that meet JASO T903 MA2 oils, recommended for the KTM/GasGas/Husqvarna 450 MX models, to understand how most of the common oils stack up to each other in price. The results were tallied and seemed worthy of sharing with the community!
I used retail cost (Motosport.com, RM ATV/MC, Amazon, Blud) to figure the cost per oil change and also the cost for 100 hours worth of changes.
Assumptions: 1) each oil change uses 41 ounces & 2) Oil is changed every 10 hours 3) no shipping/handling/tax, etc costs.
This list compares all Fully Synthetic & Semi-Synthetics:
Note: Motorex Cross Power 4T is what's typically recommended by KTM.
Comparing only fully synthetics
I used retail cost (Motosport.com, RM ATV/MC, Amazon, Blud) to figure the cost per oil change and also the cost for 100 hours worth of changes.
Assumptions: 1) each oil change uses 41 ounces & 2) Oil is changed every 10 hours 3) no shipping/handling/tax, etc costs.
This list compares all Fully Synthetic & Semi-Synthetics:
Note: Motorex Cross Power 4T is what's typically recommended by KTM.
Comparing only fully synthetics
I use Maxima Pro Plus full Syn at 1/2 the cost of Motorex. 250SX-F oil and filter change every 4 engine hours, 450 every six hours.
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Free shipping: VITALMX
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Hammer 663s
PS - what about Rotella? LOL
What you see on the list is 10w50 oils that meet JASO T903 MA2 requirements available on Motosport.com, plus Blud racing directly from their site.
I double checked, Motosport does not *currently* list 10w50 Maxima ProPlus, only 10W30/40 & 20w50
I dunno I’m sure I could squeak more out of mine as it does come out clean, but my YZ450 only takes 750-800 CC’s of oil. I’m hard on the clutch and not shy of the limiter at times granted. But I try not to go much more than 5-6 hours on oil.
10w50, JASO T903 MA2 oil changed every 10 hours is KTM's recommendation. Let's just leave it at that.
40 dollars a gallon, or 4 oil changes out of this jug. filter is about 6 bucks for the OEM filter, so roughly 16.00 per oil change before sales tax.
I use BelRay EXP in my Austrian bikes. $33.66/4 liters at RMATV 15w-50. Ran Rotella in everything for years before no issues either.
Hammer 663s
RM-ATV $15.39 per liter bottle
Amazon per $19.14 liter bottle ($0.57 / Fl Oz)
STANDARDS API SN / SM / SL / SJ / SH / SG
PERFORMANCES JALOS MA2 under N°M033MOT162
Protection
Ester Technology:
- Low traction coefficient Ester to minimize engine internal friction losses and improve performance.
- Synergy of Ester with anti-wear additives and improved shear resistance for improved gear protection and life time.
100% Synthetic lubricant for improved oil film resistance at high temperatures and high revs.
Optimized Phosphorus and Sulfur content (JASO MA2 < 1200 ppm) for better operating conditions of catalytic converters.
The innovative anti-wear additives package provides outstanding gearbox protection. FZG Gear Test results: Pass
FLS>14. The FZG (Forschungsstelle für Zahnrader und Getriebebau) Test, evaluates fluid lubricating and wear protection
properties at the interface of a loaded set of gears. Lubricants are then graded based on their “Failure Load Stage” or FLS
rating from FLS 1 (very poor result) up to FLS 14 (outstanding result).
Comfort
JASO has created its own 4-stroke motorcycle standard -JASO T903- which has three grades MA, MA1 and MA2.
JASO MA2 offers the most efficient friction levels to guarantee the clutch engagement during the three riding modes:
Starting, Acceleration and Constant Speed
Motul 300V Ester Core 100% syn $20.20 per 1 liter @ RM-ATV
4 liter @ RM-ATV @76.97
STANDARDS Above existing standards
PERFORMANCES JALOS - Wet clutch compatibility checked on JASO T903 test.
The Organic base using non-fossil renewable materials is limiting the environmental impact.
Carbon footprint is reduced by 18% during the manufacturing process.
ESTER Core® TECHNOLOGY
For decades MOTUL has developed high performance synthetic Ester based lubricants.
By selecting esters over other high performance synthetic base stocks and combining them with an innovative additive
package, MOTUL has created a perfect synergy.
This most advanced ESTER Core® Technology allows maximum power output of the engine without compromising reliability and wear.
- INCREASED TORQUE - Low oil film traction at low revolution speed
Torque improvement above 1% against a 15W-60 used as reference oil measured on Honda 450 CRF engine mounted on the dynamometer.
Motul 300V² 4T Factory Line 10W-50 increases the torque allowing faster acceleration and better control of the bike.
- INCREASED CLUTCH GRIP - Optimized friction control.
The JASO T903 test evaluate the frictional performance of the clutch and fluid combination over a wide speed range.
Motul 300V² 4T Factory Line 10W-50 showed 2.3 % of friction improvement against a competitor 10W-50 used as reference oil thus allowing better motricity and traction control in tough riding conditions.
- INCREASED GEARBOX RELIABILITY - High shear stability of the oil film.
The FZG (Forschungsstelle für Zahnrader und Getriebebau) Test, evaluates fluid lubricating and wear protection properties
at the interface of a loaded set of gears.
Motul 300V² 4T Factory Line 10W-50 based on an innovative anti-wear additives package showed very strong shear
stability and protection performance with only 0.26% of pitting on one gear tooth out of 16 after the 300 Hours run at 3000
rpm.
- INCREASED MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT - Low oil film friction at high revolution speed.
Power improvement of 1.3 hp @ 14000 tr/mn against a competitor 10W-50 used as reference oil on Suzuki GSX-R 1000cc engine mounted on the dynamometer.
Motul 300V² 4T Factory Line 10W-50 increases the engine power output allowing faster throttle response, higher straight line and cornering speeds.
- INCREASED OIL DURABILITY - Optimized oxidation stability and protection.
The PDSC (Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimeter) test method evaluates the oxidation induction time of the oil subjected to high pressure and temperature (210°C) under static atmosphere.
Motul 300V² 4T Factory Line 10W-50 showed an induction oxidation time of 176.8 minutes outperforming by 44% the
competitor 10W-50 used as reference oil.
The Daimler Oxidation Test method evaluates the oxidation time of the oil subjected to a combination of high temperature
(156°C), air flow (10L/h) and catalyzer.
Motul 300V² 4T Factory Line 10W-50 showed outstanding oxidation resistance and stay in grade performance over the 168
Hours cycle by remaining in the 10W-50 grade when the competitor 10W-50 used as reference oil has been dropping
significantly to a 10W-40 grade.
Motul 300V² 4T Factory Line 10W-50 allows higher running temperature without compromising engine protection.
- CONSTANT ENGINE PERFORMANCE -Improved engine cleanliness.
The Panel Coker Test methods evaluates the tendency of the oil to form deposits when in contact with high temperatures surfaces (320°C).
Motul 300V² 4T Factory Line 10W-50 showed very low coke deposit level with a merit rating outperforming by 7.6% the competitor 10W-50 used as reference oil.
Motul 300V² 4T Factory Line 10W-50 allows outstanding engine cleanness and constant performance over the drain interval.
My ‘15 YZ450 has 20 hours since new and I probably changed the oil 12+ times
Pit Row
I want to know what oil he’s running.
For the record, that’s a “Tusk” oil filter and crush washer (I know some of you are gonna say,”no” to that!). There’s another oil change kit that comes with OEM oil & filter and even adds gloves for more $.
About oil “life”/change frequency: on The Rip to Cabo we go DAYS…long Gnarly DAYS on the same oil. From Husky 350s, CRF450X -&- 250Xs, KLX450R, XR650R, KX450…etc. I’ve run oil for 20-30 hours on these rides with NO PROBLEMS. Oil ranged from Lucas to BelRay to Kawasaki to Honda to VP. ALL…no problems.
Also, even on my SXF or other dedicated race bikes, I do not change the filter with every oil change. Learned that during an OEM test. Also, I remember my older/earlier KTM manuals (2013/14…) having Rotella listed as the recommended oil.
You are just pouring money down the drain.
If you are a Pro, you drop it to see what might be in it, and thats it.. and you put fresh in cos you get it for free.
I worked with an oil company on an oil study, using CBR600 track bikes, we had 5 bikes all running different oils, we wernt allowed to change it , just check levels, and send them a sample of each every month, the bikes were used at track schools , so were thrashed all day every time they were run, and they saw very little performance drop off over the 5000 or so miles we tested for.
My thoughts are if the manufacturers recommend 10 hrs, then 20 would be fine, but 10 for me is about spot on..
I would be more worried about sump bolt wear than anything else doing it every week.
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