Yamaha TRX850 Enthusiasts Forum

I know this is a much talked about subject but just wanted to give my experience in case it's of use to anyone. My bike isa 96 on a P plate with 50k km. It had always used a fair bit of oil since having it. Just under though what Yamaha say is acceptable. I dont ride that hard however and when it did its first track day last year it ran like a 2 stroke, every 20 minute session it would have to be topped up by quite a bit.

I've done the valve clearances which made no difference and due to limited mechanical know how I've put off the inevitable stem seal and ring overhaul. My dad told me to try putting in some 20 50 which is what he had always run everything on. So last oil change before the summer I changed it for some Castrol 20 50 oil for wet clutches. I have ridden it all summer and so far I havent had to top up once. It seems to run better too, but that might be in my head, so have been revving it far harder than before when its properly warmed up.

Know I am probably only delaying the big job but thought it may be useful for someone in a similar position. I'll find out the exact oil if anyone's interested.

I have found that mine drinks worn oil (a sight glass in around 200 miles!) but doesn't touch Hein Gericke's own 10w40 for at least a thousand miles, even on motorway runs. It may last longer than that, more testing required..

I wonder if modern "fancy" oils are just too thin and get past the rings?

Hi guys
I use Penrite 15w40 racing synthetic. Haven't had to top it up at all. Bikes a 1995 Japanese. Feel the bike runs best on this one as it is locally made in Australia by passionate owners. Have used motul etc in other bikes but feel the Penrite is best for the trx motor. I also have a 1960 Bmw r26. I use a direct 50 in that motor to keep consumption down and the motor runs best on the same. Motor runs pretty cold as well on the Penrite.

The only time i moved away from using motul 5100 i found the gearbox was full of neutrals so went back to Motul. I only do trackdays now. sometimes it drinks a fair bit and other days it will go all day without a top up. I cant work it out.
Interesting to hear your different ideas, but i think i will stick with the correct grade.

Having used 5100 in several bikes it is good but it does seem to be on the thin side, particularly when hot. Older engines seem to be happier with the Hein Gericke stuff which is rebadged 5000 (so they say).

Anyone else using 5100?

Did try 20/50 in mine to up the oil pressure a bit but it still did a small end (due I think to high mileage wear combined with track riding).

Now use Castrol Power 1 10/40 semi synthetic. As Silver said, consumption is curiously variable.

Just to add to this, after a nice 1800 mile trip to Germany and back mine drank this much..



It drank ~400ml on the way there, which was mostly motorway, and then barely touched it for 4 days until the fifth day when the front brake stopped working and I used a lot of engine braking (though revs were mostly below 6K) when it drank half a sight glass. Then it drank over a litre coming home, maybe a third of a sight glass to the Tunnel (where I topped it up while waiting) and then completely emptied it (!) doing a constant 70-80 on the motorway up to Leicester including 4 stops, nothing amazing. I can't figure it at all, motorway makes it drink it but it doesn't seem to correlate to how fast you're going. 80 miles of autobahn at 5.5-6K had no obvious oil consumption at all, nor did 800 miles of medium to quick riding on twisty roads and hairpins, 7K being seen at times though not all that often after stories of shell failure. But cruising along at 70 and it slurps away..

Basically I have no idea what's going on.

Yeah Snod; I was using 5100 (first time ever) when I got caught out. Lot of mountain road 2nd/3rd/4th gear high speed riding. Drank 2.5 litres inside 2000km

Snod Blatter wrote:Just to add to this, after a nice 1800 mile trip to Germany and back mine drank this much..



It drank ~400ml on the way there, which was mostly motorway, and then barely touched it for 4 days until the fifth day when the front brake stopped working and I used a lot of engine braking (though revs were mostly below 6K) when it drank half a sight glass. Then it drank over a litre coming home, maybe a third of a sight glass to the Tunnel (where I topped it up while waiting) and then completely emptied it (!) doing a constant 70-80 on the motorway up to Leicester including 4 stops, nothing amazing. I can't figure it at all, motorway makes it drink it but it doesn't seem to correlate to how fast you're going. 80 miles of autobahn at 5.5-6K had no obvious oil consumption at all, nor did 800 miles of medium to quick riding on twisty roads and hairpins, 7K being seen at times though not all that often after stories of shell failure. But cruising along at 70 and it slurps away..

Basically I have no idea what's going on.

You used Pepsi... you didn't did you.
I use diesel engine oil in mine, (grabs popcorn, sits back).

deisel oil in your pepsi.. Makes me a little worried if you offer me a scotch whats the amber fluid in that bottle ... If i taste salty scotch ..your in trouble Ash

cobbadiggabuddyblooo wrote:deisel oil in your pepsi:? helps it go down better. whats the amber fluid in that bottle ... If i taste salty scotch ..your in trouble Ash

Actually, you would be in trouble.

sounds like your takin the piss...

ekoja wrote: You used Pepsi... you didn't did you.
I use diesel engine oil in mine, (grabs popcorn, sits back).

Motul 5100, diesel oil, Pepsi, it's all the same innit? Dark liquids all of them, what could go wrong?

Seriously though I knew 1L wouldn't be enough but 4L was too much and very heavy in the box, but no one sells oil in 2L bottles - who would want that much anyway??

Mmmmmmm dark matter...