*** Advised needed on 1985 Honda 250R ATC 2 stroke oil ***

[roostin atc]

I used to run the ves gold in both my air cooled r and my liquid r. I never had any issues. I ran it 32/1 it will say on the jug if it's suitable for premix.

[sanchez]

I once was told by an outboard mec that non detergent 30w was the right oil for a 50s out board
Then I remembered what his occupation was
I bought my dad a jug of a motul outboard when I heard he was getting the row boat running he only buys the cheep blue oil when I ran it a few years back as soon as the blue oil smell went away the motor smoothed out and quite down alittle

Supper m fan hear bean oil doesn't like the cold
Most casters carry do not freeze language

$5 prize for how many times this has been asked
Payable at TF

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Very true Sanchez about castor oils not doing well with cold weather. Very good point and well worth mentioning. If I recall it says that right on my Maxima bottles. But no worries for me, my babies don't see snow.

We get way too much snow up here for running an R anyway...well unless you spend the money and outfit it specifically for snow. But even if I did, every place I ride all summer is closed to ATV's all winter..sleds only on those. Can't even run an ATV outfitted with tracks on sled trails up here in winter.

[bkvette3]

Man - this 2 stroke oil stuff is keeping me awake at night. I don't know what to run in it. I have only driven it once with the premix that was in it when I purchased it over 2 weeks ago. I then drained the tank. Now she sits. Confused on what to use. The more I research the topic the more uncertain and confused I get on what to use. Oh well - I got my 200es to drive. I'll figure it out one day. Thanks for the help and opinions, guys - much appreciated. BK3

[RIDE-RED 250r]

The best advice I can give you is this: Continue your research and make your own decision based on that research and your riding habits and environment. Don't over think it.

Also, you might want to seek out what popular 250r builders have to say on the subject. You might come across some info on the web from some of them. I know ESR highly recommends Maxima 927 Castor at 32:1. I know of at least one other builder who does also.

[yaegerb]

Man - this 2 stroke oil stuff is keeping me awake at night. I don't know what to run in it. I have only driven it once with the premix that was in it when I purchased it over 2 weeks ago. I then drained the tank. Now she sits. Confused on what to use. The more I research the topic the more uncertain and confused I get on what to use. Oh well - I got my 200es to drive. I'll figure it out one day. Thanks for the help and opinions, guys - much appreciated. BK3

You serious Clark? If that's what keeps you up at night I think we need to swap lives.

[barnett468]

motor was designed to run with castor oil, thats what you should continue to use.

Actually it was not designed to run on Castor oil. There is no such thing as an engine designed to run on Castor oil. Castor oil is also typically for engines that run high revs most of the time. Even Maxima recommends their 927 for racing apps only.


Below is from page 11 of the 1985 ATC250R owners manual.

“USE HONDA 2 stroke oil or equivalent.

Vegetable oils separate from gasoline more easily than mineral oils, especially in cold weather. It is advisable to use mineral oil when ambient temperatures of below 0 C (32F) are expected.”

[barnett468]

Was synthetic even around back then? I am guessing no.

Hello bkvette3;

Uh oh, no prize for that answer, lol. Synthetic 2 stroke oil has been around since at least 1974. Bel Ray was one of the first mfg’s of it and it was very popular. They sponsored many AMA events. I was also fortunate enough to be sponsored by them. Klotz was another popular synthetic brand back then. As far as Castor oils go, Blendzall, Castrol R and Yamalube R were big names.

Just curious - I checked the website for Maxima Castor927 oil and in the description it indicated synthetic.

You are correct, there is some synthetic in it.

Not sure if this brand is available around here. Have not seen it in stores here.

Have you looked in many motorcycle shops? Out West most every motorcycle shop has it.

I don't know what to run in it. Confused on what to use. The more I research the topic the more uncertain and confused I get on what to use. …my question is: synthetic or non synthetic 2 stroke for the 250R?

From Harry Klemm.

“Despite all this very positive experience with a Castor based oil, we openly acknowledge that Castor oils “ARE NOT” necessarily the best choice for all vintage two-stroke applications.”


Below are 3 very popular, tried and proven oils. They would not be used in professional road race apps, however.

Maxima 927 - 40% castor oil and synthetic blend may separate in temps below 35 degrees f. Recommended for higher rpm apps like racing.

Maxima Super M - low ash, std oil and synthetic blend. Recommended for non racing apps.

Klotz Super Techniplate - 20% castor oil and synthetic blend. Contact for potential separation info.



Here's my avatar. I named her Bacon. Isn’t she cute?

Hi, my name is Bacon Aren't I cute.

[sanchez]

Find a bike mechanic that races or his kids do and see what they use. Canadian avaibility might suck. Back in western new York they sell motul line can't find supper m
I'll run motul but the supper m doesn't sting my nose
But nationally supper m is much more widely avalible

Lastly when has the oil itself been the problem with motor failure, overheating due to ridder or lean carburetor setting kills most motors parts failure or improper fit/bad motor build include most or the rest
The oil used is not the end all of keeping your bike running maintenance and proper mechanical assembly.

10$ prize for any one had a motor covered by warranty because "the oil failed"
I knew an amsoil dealer got his beat Saturn a new motor even after his records showed only once a year oil changes, the shop threw out the oil before amsoil could get samples. Amsoil made the shop and or Saturn pay. (Twin cam 96 Saturn over 150k sirca 01)

After all it just oil

[RoscoW]

This topic has been beaten like a rented mule around here and you will get as many answers as posts. You will be fine with any high quality, semi synthetic or synthetic motorcycle two stroke oil. Everyone will have a ratio that works for them and they will range from the 20:1 (because the sticker says so) up to 100:1, what's ideal for you will be ?????.
If the Honda HP2 is available all the time, at the local dealer, any time you need it, that would be my choice. I personally use Amsoil because I can get it at any Canadian Tire or if I'm in the States it is pretty easy to find if I run low.
Basically I would pick a good oil you can get easily near you, use a ratio between 32:1 and 50:1, mix with super unleaded and fuel stabilizer the amount you will use in a month or so (fuel goes bad really fast anymore), read the jetting thread and verify that your jetting is good and go enjoy that beautiful R. Don't loose sleep over this, it's not as critical as some people make it out to be. In the 7 years I've had my R I've changed oil brands 3 times, my ratio will vary if I'm filling with litres or gallons, if I buy my oil in litres, quarts or gallons, I use the pump to measure gas, the side of the oil container to measure oil, Never had a motor issue and when I freshened it up last year had a nice little pool of residual oil in the crankcase like it should.

Ross..

[El Camexican]

Man - this 2 stroke oil stuff is keeping me awake at night. I don't know what to run in it. I have only driven it once with the premix that was in it when I purchased it over 2 weeks ago. I then drained the tank. Now she sits. Confused on what to use. The more I research the topic the more uncertain and confused I get on what to use. Oh well - I got my 200es to drive. I'll figure it out one day. Thanks for the help and opinions, guys - much appreciated. BK3

These threads make me want to cry. The more advice that is given the more confused the poor guy gets. Dude, follow these 11 steps to a good nights sleep

- Go to your local motorcycle dealer
- Tell them you have a dirt bike and ask for the best pre-mix 2 stroke oil they have, DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE BRAND NAME
- Read the label
- Make sure it’s not specifically made for outboard motors, chainsaws or for oil injected engines
- If it says it is suitable for pre-mix buy the can
- Take it home and mix it according to what the manufacturer says on the can. Odds are it will be between 32:1 and 60:1
- Use a measuring cup of some sort and be sure of your math
- Add it to your fresh jug of gas, cap it and shake for 10 seconds
- Carefully remove the cap and add the fuel to your tank through a filtered funnel if you have one
- Ride your trike
- Count 250R’s jumping fences if you are having trouble going to sleep

[Curtie223]

I personally only use Motul 800

[NeverLift]

Hello guys, I am sure this topic has been beat to death before but I have to ask. Just want to make sure I am doing this right. Went to my local Honda dealership to purchase 2 stroke oil for my newly acquired stock one owner '85 250R ATC. Guy behind the counter said the best oil out there is Polaris VES full synthetic snowmobile oil (which is what I purchased).



They also carry Honda HP2 synthetic oil at 32:1.





What should I use??? If using the Honda HP2 oil - can I use at 20:1 as per the owner's manual (bottle says 32:1)??? Not sure what the original owner of my trike used for 2 stroke oil. I am guessing not synthetic - will switching to a synthetic be better overall??? Or should I stay with a conventional 2 stroke oil???

Thanks in advance.... BK3

Polaris VES gold is good stuff but it was designed to keep your exhaust(power) valve clean. Which you don't have so I would return that for whatever else you choose.

[ironchop]

I USED TO USE Spectro Gold @ 32:1 in both my Honda dirtbikes (mostly because it was all the Honda and the Yamaha shops near me sold back then)...but that was the 80`s- early 90`s......do they even make Spectro still?

[Dirtweed]

All I have ever used in any of my 2-strokes is Golden Spectro from my quad to my trike to my weed eater.
Still buy it at the dealer.