Honda 420 oil change

[Tommy_T]

My quad’s flashing for an oil change. I’ve read up and can see mention of Honda’s GN4 oil. Does anyone use an alternative? It’s a 10w-30 but someone told me it’ll be different to the stuff you put in your car as it does more within the machine. I can find GN4 on Amazon but it seems a bit pricey?? This is my first time doing it so just trying to figure out what’s what.

 

[76masseyman]

GN4 will have the JASO MA specification for motorcycle gearboxes and wet clutches. Not something you’ll find on passenger car oils.

 

[Farmer Roy]

@Tommy_T
If you don’t want to buy the Honda branded oil, any MOTORCYCLE specific 10w - 30 oil is what you need.
wet clutch . . .
you can spend as much or as little as you like, no need to go for liquid gold like Motul or Motorex etc, all oil manufactures produce motorcycle oils, BP, Shell, Mobil, Castrol etc . . .
Just wander into your local servo ( petrol station ) or auto supplies shop - they should have shelves full of the stuff

 

[Farmer Roy]

To be honest, a lot of the hard core off road / adventure bike guys here run Diesel engine oils in their bikes, as they don’t have the “friction modifiers” that play havoc with wet clutches & tend to have high zinc levels. But as your oil specs are probably different to ours, I won’t recommend any. But, if you look at Diesel engine oils, some do also have the JASO MA specs . . .
You don’t need to spend a fortune, just make sure it is a 10w-30 JASO MA
I’ve been running the same Diesel engine oil in my tractors, utes, farm bikes, dirt & road bikes for 20 years or more

 

[Farmer Roy]

Google is your friend
All oil manufacturers have oil selection guides on their webpages
Took me about 20 seconds on the Castrol UK ( just for example ) web site to get a recommendation, along with quantity required & service intervals

PRODUCT FINDER | HOME

applications.castrol.com

 

[GeorgeK]

Is it a livestock quad? If so it doesn't require servicing

 

[Farmer Roy]

Surely it’s only livestock boys who need to ask “which oil ?” questions

 

[icanshootwell]

Is it a livestock quad? If so it doesn't require servicing

Most gets nicked before the service light come on around here.

 

[michael N123]

Most gets nicked before the service light come on around here.

I can’t see the service light for mud

 

[Moors Lad]

I`ve heard it`s critical to not over-tighten the sump plug as threads can be stripped - maybe just something to bear in mind...!

 

[michael N123]

I`ve heard it`s critical to not over-tighten the sump plug as threads can be stripped - maybe just something to bear in mind...!

I did that the sump is made out of ridiculously soft metal just gave that one extra go on the ratchet and felt the threads go

 

[Farmer Roy]

I`ve heard it`s critical to not over-tighten the sump plug as threads can be stripped - maybe just something to bear in mind...!

I did that the sump is made out of ridiculously soft metal just gave that one extra go on the ratchet and felt the threads go

haha - rookie mistake

 

[Tommy_T]

Thanks all for advice. It is off-road but trying to keep it sweet so it lasts me!

 

[AKA]

I usually put fully synthetic oil in my Honda but dealer has given me semi synthetic this time, will it be fine or best go back and change to fully synthetic?

 

[Moors Lad]

I usually put fully synthetic oil in my Honda but dealer has given me semi synthetic this time, will it be fine or best go back and change to fully synthetic?

Interesting question , anyone on here clued up on using fully or semi synthetic oil (provided it`s up to spec) ?

 

[Johnnyboxer]

I did that the sump is made out of ridiculously soft metal just gave that one extra go on the ratchet and felt the threads go

Use a torque wrench

 

[FonterraFarmer]

Interesting question , anyone on here clued up on using fully or semi synthetic oil (provided it`s up to spec) ?

I use Castrol GPS, from memory is a semi synthetic oil, replaced every 120 hours in the TRX and 1200 km in the CTX 200.
Given the TRX400 has done nearly 6000 hours and had nothing done to the engine or gearbox and the CTX200 as a dairy farm bike that's nearly done 60,000km would suggest that using a specific motorcycle engine oil with regular oil changes is recommended if you want to get the maximum service life out of them.

 

[Johnnyboxer]

I have a similar Honda engine in my bike

Are the Honda quads still air cooled?

If so, I would use a motorcycle spec 10/40 fully synthetic oil as they do get a lot of stick

Plus cams run directly into to the head without bearings so oil needs to be good and changed frequently

I do my air cooled 400cc Honda engine every 1000 Kms

Change the oil filter too

Also keep the air filter cleaned regularly if you want the engine to lady & give good service

 

[Boydvalley]

Got a motoX dealer near me, by far the cheapest place to buy bike oil from. They’ll sort you out with correct spec.