2 stroke oil preference and instructions

OldTech
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6/1/2024 9:11am
BMR179 wrote:
I ran 927 from the late 80's through 2002, on 250's.  Always ran clean and no gumming of power valves.  I did have my bikes jetted...

I ran 927 from the late 80's through 2002, on 250's.  Always ran clean and no gumming of power valves.  I did have my bikes jetted correctly.  Maybe the formula has changed since?

Damn that stuff smelled good! 

I did as well, and it was great racing stand up jet skis. Problems arise in low temperatures when it separates and you wind up with a carb full of oil. In warmer temps still shake the can before filling, also it has no dye and can't tell if it's mixed just by looking at the jug.

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captmoto
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6/1/2024 9:24am

Jet it rich so you get the extra good smell coming out of the pipe.

1
JM825
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Seligman, AZ, USA
6/1/2024 9:25am

Always ran Motul 800 at a 50:1 mixture in both mine and my brothers Yz250’s and RM250’s. It’s a pure synthetic premix only oil so it does not contain the thinning agents that you’d find in oils that can be used in oil injected two strokes. There are plenty of good oils out there, Motul is just my preference. 

97Yz
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6/30/2025 9:38am
SoCalMX70 wrote:
I've switched premix without draining the tank all the way... Yamalube to 927, back to Yamalube, then to Maxima K2. Some folks seem to be super...

I've switched premix without draining the tank all the way... Yamalube to 927, back to Yamalube, then to Maxima K2. Some folks seem to be super cautious about this stuff, but I don't think it matters as long as everything is mixed well.

I'd personally only run 927 in a 125 where the revs are high most of the time. Even when jetted super crisp, that stuff makes a top end rebuild on a 250 a chore.

Yamalube is amazing, but does smell like burned garbage. Been running K2 for years now and it doesn't smell like anything to me. It's pretty "neutral".

​​​​​​Anyway, just drain the tank between tests and don't overthink it.

I’ve got a question of my own, would k2 work fine for a 125 that gets a mix of woods and moto? I do ride the bike pretty hard, what would get me the most hours out the motor, I’d like to get 80 hours on a forged top ends.

The Shop

Falcon
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6/30/2025 9:47am
SoCalMX70 wrote:
I've switched premix without draining the tank all the way... Yamalube to 927, back to Yamalube, then to Maxima K2. Some folks seem to be super...

I've switched premix without draining the tank all the way... Yamalube to 927, back to Yamalube, then to Maxima K2. Some folks seem to be super cautious about this stuff, but I don't think it matters as long as everything is mixed well.

I'd personally only run 927 in a 125 where the revs are high most of the time. Even when jetted super crisp, that stuff makes a top end rebuild on a 250 a chore.

Yamalube is amazing, but does smell like burned garbage. Been running K2 for years now and it doesn't smell like anything to me. It's pretty "neutral".

​​​​​​Anyway, just drain the tank between tests and don't overthink it.

97Yz wrote:
I’ve got a question of my own, would k2 work fine for a 125 that gets a mix of woods and moto? I do ride the...

I’ve got a question of my own, would k2 work fine for a 125 that gets a mix of woods and moto? I do ride the bike pretty hard, what would get me the most hours out the motor, I’d like to get 80 hours on a forged top ends.

K2 is excellent for this. Run the mixture somewhere in the 32:1 to 50:1 range and jet accordingly. 

Teej317
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6/30/2025 9:55am

Motul 800 @ 50:1 has been good to me....'20 KTM 250SX, '23 YZ 250, and currently '25 Beta 300 RX. Bean oil certainly smells the best but cannot deny the great results from Motul.

Bonanza69
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6/30/2025 10:06am

Nobody used Castrol A747?

2
6/30/2025 10:10am Edited Date/Time 7/1/2025 3:58pm

I've become pretty practically-oriented about this.

I used to run Motul, but switched to Lucas semi-synthetic because it is relatively cheap and on the shelf at Walmart, Auto parts stores, and gas stations. Both have been clean and spooge-free for me, and no issues/deposits on top end service.

I also always run 40:1 now for simplicity: 1 pint/half liter of oil into 5 gallon can of gas. Nothing to think about.

Rider 5280
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6/30/2025 10:32am
I've become pretty practically-oriented about this.I used to run Motul, but switched to Lucas semi-synthetic because it is relatively cheap and on the shelf at Walmart...

I've become pretty practically-oriented about this.

I used to run Motul, but switched to Lucas semi-synthetic because it is relatively cheap and on the shelf at Walmart, Auto parts stores, and gas stations. Both have been clean and spooge-free for me, and no issues/deposits on top end service.

I also always run 40:1 now for simplicity: 1 pint/half liter of oil into 5 gallon can of gas. Nothing to think about.

This:  "I've become pretty practically-oriented about this." --- logistics and simplicity go a long way in my book if the results are good enough. @Dirty Points is spot-on.

For full-on racing AND spooge-free I trust Maxima K2 and Bel-Ray H1R most mixed at 40:1.

2-stroke oils have come a loooong way, I used to talk to the Bel-Ray and Maxima engineers regularly on lubricant tech / specialty applications and threw in mx bike questions as I could, too. In my opinion, these 2 companies are the best in the business (I do suspect Motul is right there) and K2 and H1R are the result of the intense rivalry. Can't go wrong with either.

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Ob917
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Cardiff, CA, USA
6/30/2025 11:09am

Don’t mix synthetic oils with non synthetic. But you need to drain your tank to tell a deference between oils anyway so there is that. 
I use Motul 50:1 in my 300sx

redman
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east coast, MD, USA
6/30/2025 12:10pm
Bonanza69 wrote:

Nobody used Castrol A747?

I run 747 all the time. The best hands down.

2
6/30/2025 1:14pm
Bonanza69 wrote:

Nobody used Castrol A747?

IMG-20250630-WA0000.jpg?VersionId=Hnc7mVm9aLRFUeE

I used the A747 over 20 years on all my KTM great oil and that Smell.

If you open an Engine run with the 747 there is a small golden film of oil on the Crankshaft - Main Bearing and Con Rod 

 

3
6/30/2025 1:41pm
Bonanza69 wrote:

Nobody used Castrol A747?

Yeh we did. We ran it in our 22 KTM85sx and our 23 YZ125. It was also on average 50% cheaper from the shop here in Oz. 

Never had an issue. Piston changes at 20hrs both bikes no gummy build up. Only thing we did do was change out spark plug a bit more often.

Lets not forget the smell though 😋

PRM31
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6/30/2025 2:24pm

Bel-Ray has the coolest sticker. 

theraptur712
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6/30/2025 2:28pm

We used to stop at the convenience stores and buy a bottle of evinrude/johnson 2 stroke boat motor oil in a pinch. We normally ran the old Golden Spectro stuff for years and years and years.

 

Mix and match, whatever.

1
MPJC
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6/30/2025 2:29pm

Any good quality synthetic. I like Motorex. If you want slightly cheaper,  Maxima Super M is good. 

FGR01
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6/30/2025 5:40pm
I've become pretty practically-oriented about this.I used to run Motul, but switched to Lucas semi-synthetic because it is relatively cheap and on the shelf at Walmart...

I've become pretty practically-oriented about this.

I used to run Motul, but switched to Lucas semi-synthetic because it is relatively cheap and on the shelf at Walmart, Auto parts stores, and gas stations. Both have been clean and spooge-free for me, and no issues/deposits on top end service.

I also always run 40:1 now for simplicity: 1 pint/half liter of oil into 5 gallon can of gas. Nothing to think about.

I think you mean 1 pint or 500ml bottle into a 5 gal can of gas to get 40:1.

If you do a quart or liter into 5gal, that is twice as much oil or 20:1.

If we're being fussy, 500ml into 5gal is actually about 38:1, but that's what I do since euro oils come in liter bottles instead of quart bottles.

6/30/2025 7:45pm Edited Date/Time 6/30/2025 7:51pm

The problem with these kind of threads is everyone will have a different experience with the same brand oil.  This is because several different factors go into tuning an engine.  Most notably for this discussion is jetting and oil ratio.  Those are interlinked together.  If you are spitting oil or gumming up the power valves you are jetted too rich or using too much oil.  Furthermore, it depends on the rider and track.  A novice could have the bike jetted fine, but seizure could happen if a pro raced it.

For what it’s worth, I use maxima 927.  I don’t have a problem with spooge or gumming up the power valve.  My goal is always to have a little “oiliness” on the piston and exhaust port.  This is a result of proper tuning and not the type of oil- although synthetic generally does burn the cleanest.

So my take is, having your bike jetted right and with the right oil ratio is more important.  Start with that before you try switching around types and brands of oil.  Trying different viscosity oils until you find one that works best for your bike and riding style is completely backwards.  If you trail ride, a semi synthetic is preferred.  For racing, either 100% synthetic or castor based.  Pick one and learn how to jet your bike.  Just my 2 cents.  

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rogers
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7/1/2025 6:55am
The problem with these kind of threads is everyone will have a different experience with the same brand oil.  This is because several different factors go...

The problem with these kind of threads is everyone will have a different experience with the same brand oil.  This is because several different factors go into tuning an engine.  Most notably for this discussion is jetting and oil ratio.  Those are interlinked together.  If you are spitting oil or gumming up the power valves you are jetted too rich or using too much oil.  Furthermore, it depends on the rider and track.  A novice could have the bike jetted fine, but seizure could happen if a pro raced it.

For what it’s worth, I use maxima 927.  I don’t have a problem with spooge or gumming up the power valve.  My goal is always to have a little “oiliness” on the piston and exhaust port.  This is a result of proper tuning and not the type of oil- although synthetic generally does burn the cleanest.

So my take is, having your bike jetted right and with the right oil ratio is more important.  Start with that before you try switching around types and brands of oil.  Trying different viscosity oils until you find one that works best for your bike and riding style is completely backwards.  If you trail ride, a semi synthetic is preferred.  For racing, either 100% synthetic or castor based.  Pick one and learn how to jet your bike.  Just my 2 cents.  

Your reply has zero to do with the op's question below. 

"want to switch oil brands to something that smells super good like I'm at the race track."

 

rogers
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7/1/2025 6:56am

I can't believe his is even a topic.

1
Falcon
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Menifee, CA, USA
7/1/2025 2:37pm
I've become pretty practically-oriented about this.I used to run Motul, but switched to Lucas semi-synthetic because it is relatively cheap and on the shelf at Walmart...

I've become pretty practically-oriented about this.

I used to run Motul, but switched to Lucas semi-synthetic because it is relatively cheap and on the shelf at Walmart, Auto parts stores, and gas stations. Both have been clean and spooge-free for me, and no issues/deposits on top end service.

I also always run 40:1 now for simplicity: 1 pint/half liter of oil into 5 gallon can of gas. Nothing to think about.

I think that's 20:1, brother. Four quarts per gallon, times five. 5 gallons = 20 quarts. 

You want the 1/2 quart (16 Oz.) bottle in a 5-gallon can of fuel for 40:0. 

7/1/2025 3:57pm Edited Date/Time 7/1/2025 3:59pm
I've become pretty practically-oriented about this.I used to run Motul, but switched to Lucas semi-synthetic because it is relatively cheap and on the shelf at Walmart...

I've become pretty practically-oriented about this.

I used to run Motul, but switched to Lucas semi-synthetic because it is relatively cheap and on the shelf at Walmart, Auto parts stores, and gas stations. Both have been clean and spooge-free for me, and no issues/deposits on top end service.

I also always run 40:1 now for simplicity: 1 pint/half liter of oil into 5 gallon can of gas. Nothing to think about.

Falcon wrote:
I think that's 20:1, brother. Four quarts per gallon, times five. 5 gallons = 20 quarts. You want the 1/2 quart (16 Oz.) bottle in a 5-gallon...

I think that's 20:1, brother. Four quarts per gallon, times five. 5 gallons = 20 quarts. 

You want the 1/2 quart (16 Oz.) bottle in a 5-gallon can of fuel for 40:0. 

Yeah, my bad, my brain said pint but the word that came out was quart.

1
Toddler125
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Windsor, CA
7/1/2025 8:18pm
Bonanza69 wrote:

Nobody used Castrol A747?

redman wrote:

I run 747 all the time. The best hands down.

Redman,

Where do you get the A747 in the US? I haven't had any luck up here in Canada but do have a shipping address in Michigan if you can point me towards a US source. Thanks!

SoCalMX70
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7/1/2025 8:24pm
rogers wrote:

I can't believe his is even a topic.

You can't believe there is an oil thread? 🤣

MXRalph
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Sacramento, CA, USA
7/1/2025 8:52pm

I agree with the pick one and jet accordingly logic. I also align with Dirty Points and buy 1 gal jugs of Lucas simi-syn for $36 at Amazon and and I mix at 36:1. If I ever run out, most Chevron stations carry the Lucas, so I'm never SOL. 

1
rogers
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7/2/2025 7:03am Edited Date/Time 7/2/2025 7:06am
rogers wrote:

I can't believe his is even a topic.

SoCalMX70 wrote:

You can't believe there is an oil thread? 🤣

ummmm...hey Einstein, why don't you and some of the others here actually read the op's oil question (if you are able to) and then tell him which oil smells the best. 😆

"want to switch oil brands to something that smells super good like I'm at the race track."

 

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