I have a 2013 TE300 and need to change the gear box oil, can I ask what people tend to use? Thanks in advance
I have always use automatic trans oil in all my 2 strokes gearbox's top MX riders use it as well.
What most people they do is use top shelf oil and don't change it due to the cost.
A mate with that years model KTM 380, I changed my oil as did 3 others at the end of the weeks end riding, just into the dirt and old mate said he had never change his oil because he had X oil, it's the best so it does not need to be changed he said, so we informed him that the gearbox does not have a filter and it's best to change oil regardless or you will be sorry, so he dropped the oil their and then, we came back later to see a pile of metal mountain sitting in the dirt
it was unbelievable, old mate spun out, and we all said there you go bro change your oil regularly is the best thing to do and there is nothing wrong with automatic oil in a 2 stroke gearbox, autos handle a lot of heat and power so in fact it's not such crap oil as some may think, but you do change it more often when doing so and it's all for the good.
Maybe after 4 good weekends riding to 6 I would change it and never had one problem with a box.
What most people they do is use top shelf oil and don't change it due to the cost.
A mate with that years model KTM 380, I changed my oil as did 3 others at the end of the weeks end riding, just into the dirt and old mate said he had never change his oil because he had X oil, it's the best so it does not need to be changed he said, so we informed him that the gearbox does not have a filter and it's best to change oil regardless or you will be sorry, so he dropped the oil their and then, we came back later to see a pile of metal mountain sitting in the dirt
it was unbelievable, old mate spun out, and we all said there you go bro change your oil regularly is the best thing to do and there is nothing wrong with automatic oil in a 2 stroke gearbox, autos handle a lot of heat and power so in fact it's not such crap oil as some may think, but you do change it more often when doing so and it's all for the good.Maybe after 4 good weekends riding to 6 I would change it and never had one problem with a box.
Joined Apr 2014
689 Posts | 252+
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
I have always use automatic trans oil in all my 2 strokes gearbox's top MX riders use it as well.
What most people they do is use top shelf oil and don't change it due to the cost.
A mate with that years model KTM 380, I changed my oil as did 3 others at the end of the weeks end riding, just into the dirt and old mate said he had never change his oil because he had X oil, it's the best so it does not need to be changed he said, so we informed him that the gearbox does not have a filter and it's best to change oil regardless or you will be sorry, so he dropped the oil their and then, we came back later to see a pile of metal mountain sitting in the dirt
Maybe after 4 good weekends riding to 6 I would change it and never had one problem with a box.
FWIW
Manual gears operate based on a system of two shafts with gears which mesh together after user input via the clutch. This means that the manual gearbox creates a lot of heat, a lot of force and a lot of friction as the two moving objects come together
Automatic transmissions operate on in a planetary system where gears switch automatically depending on the demands of the engine. The gears in an automatic tend to be smaller and there are many more moving parts than a manual gearbox.
Transmission Fluid is essentially thin hydraulic oil. In order to effectively lubricate the delicate parts of the system, the viscosity of the oil is kept low - generally around 0W/5 or 5W/10. Most importantly it needs to be relatively free flowing in order to transmit power from the engine to the transmission
Transmission fluid can foam up in applications such as a gear box. ATF Type F will foam less for some reason. Transmission fluid has a high detergent level as well and can wash away lubrication binding properties.
Think of this. Your out on a super hot day and your running your 15w50 or what have you in the bike. The oil is hot and viscosity changes.
Now you are running 0W5 Transmission fluid and its hot, it will turn like water. The viscosity breaks down and lubrication is bad. Hydraulic fluid is meant to work as pressure with slight lubrication, not to cool and lubricate.
It will work for sure as I have ran it is automobile engines to clean out oil valleys ect. short periods as lubrication breaks down fast when its hot.
Best to use what is recommended for the machine. You paid how much for your nice new bike quality performance bike and now are looking for a cheap way to lubricate this great engine. I don't think it will cost more than $10 to change the oil out, saving 5 or 6 is not worth damaging the machine. Racers use it, but also rebuild the machines quite often.
You will see more wear using ATF than using motor oil as it is not meant for the application it is being used.
Thanks everyone, had a chat with the shop and as per recommendation gone with top speed 15/50
Automatic trans oil is used in many car gear boxes, I did 230.000KM in my GEN3 5.7L 6speed box with no problem at all and driven hard.
I live in Queensland Australia and it gets bloody hot here when riding bikes and never see a problem with using it, sure use the recommended oil if you want but I would use that on a highway bike for sure but not a dirt bike you ride mainly in the bush with so much.
I have had mainly new bikes and done a lot of hours riding them.
I had a first year model Yamaha IT 175 that was 2 years old when I bought it, from what I remember the box was not that good and I had a Suzuki RM125S in 1978 and the box was crap, never use auto oil until I got a new Suzuki RMX 250 in 1996 and another in 1999 and that 1999 one is still going now as I know the dude who owns it.
Joined Apr 2014
689 Posts | 252+
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Yes it is used in many GM gearboxes. These gears are from composite materials and not metal, thus the reason ATF fluid is used. I will say it works, but if you take a gearbox that has used the correct weight fluid 15w50 or such and a gearbox that has used 0w10, you will find wear on the gear set for sure. The other components such as clutch discs will also have abnormal wear and need replacement prior a box serviced with the correct fluid.
Any fluid with lubrication properties will work, but the big question is "Will it work correctly with the best possible results" The answer is No.
I have used 80w gear oil in application that require ATF and found it works, but it doesn't work correctly as it was engineered for the fluid stated. Less drag etc.
We can experiment and have results, but this has already been done by a team of high paid engineers and I am sure they don't guess or take chances
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