MR. KNOW-IT-ALL: LUBE HER UP

WHICH LUBE IS BEST?
Dear Mr. Know-It-All,
I have a 5-year-old KTM 250XC and flat worship this machine. I’m religious about oil changes, filter cleaning—basically all maintenance—since I want this sucker to last. My question is, should I run a special oil in the transmission or is a good four-stroke oil fine? Synthetic or a blend? Is one better for the clutch?
Martin
via [email protected]

Well, Martin, here’s my advice: I steer clear of synthetic trans oil, only because I’m concerned that certain additives can wreak havoc with the wet clutch in the machine, and this may have been related to a nightmarish slipping clutch I was forced to deal with in my 1991 RMX250 while riding in Tecate. It’s a strange scenario, as you want a good, thick gear oil to protect the gears but with a viscosity that won’t hinder clutch action. I know there are many on the market, and I have friends who swear by a good old 10w-30, but I have stuck with Maxima MTL Extra Light Transmission lube for decades. You can use it in both two- and four-stroke machines. It has a proprietary formula that targets proper clutch engagement, prevents slipping and fights premature wear.

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