rotella t4 in the gearbox?

mxracer71
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Queen Creek, AZ US
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1/24/2019 7:22pm
So i use maxima oils in my 01 cr250 and my sons 15 ktm 65.Ive been hearing a lot of guys run rotella in there gear box. Gets pricey with maxima and i could do 5 oil changes with rotella for a portion of the cost. For the guys that run it, how does it work?im a vet rider that isisnt to hard on a clutch. No clutch fade or slipping?
Thanks
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zehn
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Anchorage, AK US
1/24/2019 7:24pm
Works fine for us.

You’re gonna get a ton of opinions about it
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gsxr6
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1/24/2019 8:48pm
In
gsxr6
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1/24/2019 8:49pm
I use ATF+4 in my two strokes . Makes them shift slick, clutches seem to do better imo
gsxr6
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1/24/2019 8:49pm
Also the new rotella has no zinc(t5) so no longer great for four strokes
1

The Shop

BR8ES
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1/24/2019 8:51pm
Rotella??? never heard of it...gotta run an oil with a motorcycle picture and pay the extra or it won't work.
5
2
1/24/2019 9:11pm
gsxr6 wrote:
Also the new rotella has no zinc(t5) so no longer great for four strokes
I called shell not long ago. they stated they still running 1200 ppm of zinc in their oil lines t4 and t6.
Alex.434
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Warner Springs, CA US
1/24/2019 10:17pm Edited Date/Time 1/24/2019 10:18pm
About 5 years ago I spent way too much time reading dozens of forum posts across various motorcycle boards on this very topic: The Great Rotella Debate

After getting exhausted by it all, I decided to say 'fuck it' and go all in on The Rotella Decision.

I've since run Rotella T6 exclusively in my fleet of bikes. Two stroke MX bike, four stroke offroad bikes, I-4 roadracing bikes, I-4 streetbikes, my UTV, truck, stick shift car. You name it, Rotella goes into it.

Not one issue. Case closed in my book.
4
cwtoyota
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Tacoma, WA US
1/24/2019 11:27pm
I actually just switched to Rotella T4 on January 1st. I have two rides on a YZ250 with the stuff and no trouble yet with the clutch.

For what it's worth, the T4 bottle claims compliance to the JASO MA specification which is the one most people point to for motorcycles with wet clutches.
2
Cory128
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Chandler, TX US
1/25/2019 4:41am
I switched to Rotella, and here is why. Our buddy forgot to put his drain plug in a KX-450. He is a good Pro level rider and did at least 2 hours of motos through out the day with only the residual Rotella oil left in his motor. The motor never failed. After witnessing that I was sold.
I have been using it for almost a year in my KTM and have good results along with saving a ton of money over the recommend brands.
I also know for years Troy-Lee KTM was using it. They would dump the Motorex out and use the bottles filled with Rotella for their race bikes. Not sure if they still do however.
1
cody41
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Miami, FL US
1/25/2019 4:51am Edited Date/Time 1/25/2019 5:02am
Quality oil > crappy oil. Does your body run better on fruits, vegetables, and meats, or McDonald’s?
1
4
Timo_2824
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Wichita, KS US
1/25/2019 6:37am
gsxr6 wrote:
Also the new rotella has no zinc(t5) so no longer great for four strokes
I called shell not long ago. they stated they still running 1200 ppm of zinc in their oil lines t4 and t6.
Yep, 1200 ppm in both.
kb228
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Mansfield, OH US
1/25/2019 6:43am
I tried rotella in my kx450 from all the hype on here and i noticed some clutch slipping. Went back to maxima/amsoil synthetic and it went away. Guess it works for some and not others. I dont reccomend it to anyone due to my experience w it.
1
erik_94COBRA
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Houston-ish, TX US
1/25/2019 6:45am
Rotella in all my bikes. Shifts great, no slipping clutches.
1
SIMX2
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Oakland City, IN US
1/25/2019 6:54am
"I also know for years Troy-Lee KTM was using it. They would dump the Motorex out and use the bottles filled with Rotella for their race bikes. Not sure if they still do however."...I'm pretty sure it still happens!

I ran Rotella in all my sons bikes over the years 65,85,125,250,450 and never had a single clutch problem. Good stuff.
1
1/25/2019 6:54am
I tried it once. Seemed to get dirty and break down faster than Maxima. I'll take piece of mind over saving a few bucks. Oil is cheap. Transmissions and hospital bills are not.
3
1
Titan1
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Lehi, UT US
1/25/2019 7:02am
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse?

I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech support at rekluse and they mention Rotella changed their formula and they no longer recommend it (this was maybe 2 years ago)? Rekluse is who recommended it to me in the first place.
JB 19
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Marion, OH US
1/25/2019 7:06am
cody41 wrote:
Quality oil > crappy oil. Does your body run better on fruits, vegetables, and meats, or McDonald’s?
How long have you been an Amsoil rep?
4
Justin345
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Southern MD, MD US
1/25/2019 7:10am
Been using it for years.
1
ab5772
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SLC, UT US
1/25/2019 8:10am
Titan1 wrote:
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse? I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech...
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse?

I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech support at rekluse and they mention Rotella changed their formula and they no longer recommend it (this was maybe 2 years ago)? Rekluse is who recommended it to me in the first place.
I've ran it in my KTM 350XCF with the Rekluse Core Exp 3.0 that I installed when the bike was new in 2014. I heard about the change as well and that Rekluse was no longer "officially" endorsing it for their clutches like they used to. I decided rather than change to a different brand, I would just continue with the new Rotella formula and decide for myself. I have almost 40 hours on the bike since the change, and I have noticed zero difference.

I spoke with Rekluse about it beforehand. They said that some teams that were using the old stuff had noticed some slippage with new formula, so Rekluse decided to stop recommending a specific oil (Rotella) like they did in the past. They said that it wouldn't hurt to use it, but they just wouldn't endorse a particular brand. I got the impression from them that plenty of people were still using it without issue.
2
racerx217
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MI US
1/25/2019 8:28am
Titan1 wrote:
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse? I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech...
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse?

I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech support at rekluse and they mention Rotella changed their formula and they no longer recommend it (this was maybe 2 years ago)? Rekluse is who recommended it to me in the first place.
Yes been using it for years with a rekluse with no issues. Have been running Rotella for over 20 years now.
1
zippytech
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Bethesda, OH US
1/25/2019 9:03am Edited Date/Time 1/25/2019 9:05am
I use to run straight castrol 30w motor oil for over 15 years in my cr,250, I have over 500 + hours on the same clutch. The only problem I ever had was the clutch needed to be warm or it was drag a little. I now run Honda oil cause I get it at the local dealer, but when it's cold it will drag a little to, till it's warm.

Any more I kinda feel like the oil don't really matter as much as how often you replace it. I replace mine pretty often.

You can put 25.00 quart of oil in a machine. but if you don't change it often it won't matter what was in it.
Ramrod
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1/25/2019 9:09am
Alex.434 wrote:
About 5 years ago I spent way too much time reading dozens of forum posts across various motorcycle boards on this very topic: [b]The Great Rotella...
About 5 years ago I spent way too much time reading dozens of forum posts across various motorcycle boards on this very topic: The Great Rotella Debate

After getting exhausted by it all, I decided to say 'fuck it' and go all in on The Rotella Decision.

I've since run Rotella T6 exclusively in my fleet of bikes. Two stroke MX bike, four stroke offroad bikes, I-4 roadracing bikes, I-4 streetbikes, my UTV, truck, stick shift car. You name it, Rotella goes into it.

Not one issue. Case closed in my book.
This is as good an opinion as you could get. Tons of real world experience using the product. Thanks for sharing.
1
526
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Colgate, WI US
1/25/2019 9:21am
BR8ES wrote:
Rotella??? never heard of it...gotta run an oil with a motorcycle picture and pay the extra or it won't work.
Or it has to be designed around Heavy Duty Diesel engines......... All Depends how you want to look at it.
Titan1
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Lehi, UT US
1/25/2019 9:21am
Titan1 wrote:
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse? I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech...
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse?

I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech support at rekluse and they mention Rotella changed their formula and they no longer recommend it (this was maybe 2 years ago)? Rekluse is who recommended it to me in the first place.
ab5772 wrote:
I've ran it in my KTM 350XCF with the Rekluse Core Exp 3.0 that I installed when the bike was new in 2014. I heard about...
I've ran it in my KTM 350XCF with the Rekluse Core Exp 3.0 that I installed when the bike was new in 2014. I heard about the change as well and that Rekluse was no longer "officially" endorsing it for their clutches like they used to. I decided rather than change to a different brand, I would just continue with the new Rotella formula and decide for myself. I have almost 40 hours on the bike since the change, and I have noticed zero difference.

I spoke with Rekluse about it beforehand. They said that some teams that were using the old stuff had noticed some slippage with new formula, so Rekluse decided to stop recommending a specific oil (Rotella) like they did in the past. They said that it wouldn't hurt to use it, but they just wouldn't endorse a particular brand. I got the impression from them that plenty of people were still using it without issue.
Good to know!

Back to Walmart I go for my next oil change.
Titan1
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Lehi, UT US
1/25/2019 9:22am
Titan1 wrote:
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse? I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech...
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse?

I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech support at rekluse and they mention Rotella changed their formula and they no longer recommend it (this was maybe 2 years ago)? Rekluse is who recommended it to me in the first place.
racerx217 wrote:
Yes been using it for years with a rekluse with no issues. Have been running Rotella for over 20 years now.
Thank you!
kb228
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Mansfield, OH US
1/25/2019 9:57am
Titan1 wrote:
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse? I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech...
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse?

I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech support at rekluse and they mention Rotella changed their formula and they no longer recommend it (this was maybe 2 years ago)? Rekluse is who recommended it to me in the first place.
I have a rekluse zstart in my kx450. Rotella caused slipping
Titan1
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Lehi, UT US
1/25/2019 10:03am
Titan1 wrote:
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse? I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech...
Anyone still using Rotella with a rekluse?

I was running it for years with no issues, then I happened to be on the phone with tech support at rekluse and they mention Rotella changed their formula and they no longer recommend it (this was maybe 2 years ago)? Rekluse is who recommended it to me in the first place.
kb228 wrote:
I have a rekluse zstart in my kx450. Rotella caused slipping
The zstart is an entirely different clutch than the CORE EXP 3.0's...So you are probably right. But so are the people saying they don't have issues with it in their CORE EXP models.

Tracktor
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The RTF/Amboy, WA US
1/25/2019 10:07am
Big bikes I've used it but I always ran Maxima MTL75 in all our 65's. What you spend in oil you will save in clutches and gearbox wear...........
Superdave19
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Spring, TX US
1/25/2019 10:15am
Been using it for yrs.. No problems what so ever
dpalmer
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Waxahachie, TX US
1/25/2019 10:17am
Rotella T6 for all my toys
1

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