Favorite type or brand of two cycle engine oil?

basilhayden · Post by **basilhayden** » Fri May 02, 2008 9:17 pm

I'm just wondering if there is a brand that is better than the rest that people use in their rattlers? How 'bout the sinthetic blend oils? Thanks for any help.

KABanshee · Post by **KABanshee** » Fri May 02, 2008 9:58 pm

It's important to pick one oil and stick with it.

Most scooters both new and old are powered by what is known as a 2 stroke motor. This type of motor differs in many ways from that of the 4 stroke in a car. One of the differences is how they are lubricated. Four stroke motors are lubricated by an oil bath covering all the motor's moving parts. Two strokes, on the other hand, receive their lubrication from oil which is mixed with the gas that the motor is burning.

When the 2 stroke motors first became popular 50 years ago they were designed to burn huge quantities of oil, 8 to 10 oz. per gallon in most cases, mixed directly with the gas. Modern day motors can burn as little as 1 oz. per gallon, with many of them having pumps delivering the oil directly to the engines main bearings.

Modern-day 2 stroke oils are very advanced and designed specifically for certain applications and uses. There are many different grades and types of oil you can burn in your 2 stroke scooter, but which one or what type should you use?

First and foremost, be sure you are using 2 stroke oil and not motor oil. Next, make sure you are using a 2 stoke oil that is specifically designed for a motor cycle, not oil that is meant to be used in your neighbor's chainsaw or lawn mower. The last thing to keep in mind is to pick one specific oil and stay with it. Many modern oils build up a lubricating film over time. Constantly changing oils or brands will keep this from happening.

Bell Ray, a very high quality, U.S. made oil which is a readily available brand. And Motul, a French oil brand that specializes in low smoke synthetic oils. It's a little harder to find if you are on a road trip.

If you have a newly re-built or tuned motor then you should definitely burn a synthetic oil, Motul 200 or Bellray SI-7. They cost a little more, but the lubrication is superior and they burn much cleaner, leaving less deposits in your motor. Standard mineral oils, like Bellray S-2, work very well. If you are planing on de-carbonizing your motor regularly, or a rebuild is in your future, it is a great oil at a economic price.

Synthetic oil can be made to match the specific requirements of certain applications. Motul T200 is a low smoke oil that can be used in both pre-mix (added to your gas when you fill up) or injector (mixed automatically for you by your scooter). Motul 600 and 800 are top-of-the-line race oils that are designed for high revving, high compression tuned motors. T200 is made specifically for pre-mix racing applications.

When you switch to a synthetic oil you should drain your oil tank if you have a injector bike - run your bike low on fuel if you are pre-mix - then start using the new oil. Be light on the throttle for the first tank so you can build up a film, but remember to stay with the same brand after you make the switch.

nissanman · Post by **nissanman** » Fri May 02, 2008 11:40 pm

For easy availability I went with Amsoil. Can get that anywhere.

BGK · Post by **BGK** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:02 am

I was a big fan of the best stuff valvoline make in a gallon jug. Used it for years in older vespas, tuned and stock. But then I got hooked on the Ipone smell. I use so little of it that I don't mind shelling out for it now.

nissanman · Post by **nissanman** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:17 am

It's a good thing when the smell behind me is actually generated by my scooter, being pleasant is an added bonus

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:27 pm

I've been using Mobile 1 for my 2-strokes. Aren't all of the major brands pretty much equal?

mattgordon · Post by **mattgordon** » Sat May 03, 2008 4:38 pm

Hugo wrote:I've been using Mobile 1 for my 2-strokes. Aren't all of the major brands pretty much equal?

I didn't think Mobil 1 was a 2T oil. Touve been using that in your fuel mixture?

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Sun May 04, 2008 12:19 am

mattgordon wrote:
Hugo wrote:I've been using Mobile 1 for my 2-strokes. Aren't all of the major brands pretty much equal?
I didn't think Mobil 1 was a 2T oil. Touve been using that in your fuel mixture?

Yes, they do make 2t oil. The Vespa dealership in Cambridge uses it for the ET2 and Typhoon. I'm able to get it at Autozone--three bucks a quart.

ScootLemont · Post by **ScootLemont** » Sun May 04, 2008 5:18 pm

From the mobile website...
What happened to Mobil 1 Racing 2T?
Mobil 1 Racing 2T was discontinued in the fall of 2007, and there is no replacement for it in the Mobil 1 motorcycle oil product lineup.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot ... aspx#FAQs1

Is this what you are using?
Or is there another mobile one 2T?

Thanks

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Sun May 04, 2008 10:32 pm

ScootLemont wrote:From the mobile website...
What happened to Mobil 1 Racing 2T?
Mobil 1 Racing 2T was discontinued in the fall of 2007, and there is no replacement for it in the Mobil 1 motorcycle oil product lineup.
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot ... aspx#FAQs1

Is this what you are using?
Or is there another mobile one 2T?

Thanks

Mobil 1 Racing 2t is what I've been using. I'll apparently need to find another oil. It doesn't seem that way; however, because there is plenty of the stuff on Autozone's shelf.

It's a damn shame that 2-strokes are becoming phased out, and weak-assed 4-strokes are taking over the world.

ScootLemont · Post by **ScootLemont** » Sun May 04, 2008 11:20 pm

sounds like they stopped making it in the fall... probably some in the supply chain - but if you like it you might want to stock up.

I dont think 2 strokes are dead yet... a lot of the outboard boat motors originally went 4 stroke, but now there are a lot of 2 stroke with fuel injection or that are direct injected that meet the epa rules - so as soon as this technology filters down to scooters.... 2 stroke scooters might be back in a big way. (Yamaha is one of the guys with the new direct injection outboards... so I have hope)

BOT - I was thinking about going with Yamalube Semi-Synthetic for my Rattler - I use it in my snowmobiles & boat - very little smoke.

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:07 am

Silkolene makes a high quality synthetic racing 2t. I've had luck with it in the past. It is very low smoke, but very high priced.
Now that Mobil no longer manufactures the racing 2t, I'd like to find a company that sells, and will continue to sell, a quality synthetic.
What quality synthetic manufacturers out there are keeping the 2t faith, and demanding a reasonable price?

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:14 am

Oh, by the way, I've read that 4t motors shouldn't use synthetic oil during the break-in stage. Does that also apply to 2t motors? I can't imagine using anything else but synthetic for my 2t.

ScootLemont · Post by **ScootLemont** » Tue May 06, 2008 1:39 pm

My dealer said NOT to use synthetic for break in - but I could switch to it after 1,000 miles if I wanted to.
I dont know if he is an "expert" or not... but I assume he knows more than me.

goatlover · Post by **goatlover** » Wed May 07, 2008 5:29 am

Motul 2T synthetic

and Mobil 1 synthetic for gear box.

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Wed May 14, 2008 10:23 pm

[quote="goatlover"]Motul 2T synthetic

and Mobil 1 synthetic for gear box.[/quot

Do you use the Motul 510 or the 710? I guess the 710 is designed for oil injectors and the 510 is premix. I can't find the 710 anywhere unless I were to purchase on line.

goatlover · Post by **goatlover** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:05 pm

injector oil and you can order online or go to a motorcycle shop/

brimstone · Post by **brimstone** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:32 pm

my last bottle was just penzoil 2 stroke, it was that or the cheap stuff. i could go to the boat shop to get some spendy stuff...they sell yamaha stuff, mostly dirt bikes, so they have their yamalube, or whatever it is.

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Thu May 15, 2008 4:04 pm

Can anybody tell me the actual difference between Motul 510 and 710?
I was under the understanding that the 510 was for pre mix only. I found a bottle of it at a local dealer and read the back. It said for pre mix AND injector use.
Yesterday, I went ahead and ordered a few bottles the 710 from scooterworks. I hope I didn't spend extra money unnecessarily.
I'm assuming that the 710 is more refined for higher performance vehicles.

Smellybumlove · Post by **Smellybumlove** » Thu May 15, 2008 4:32 pm

those oils are only for super high tuned 2 strokes.

even a rgv 250 only needs basic synthetic oil!.

our bikes are low tuned so just regular 2 stroke oil is FINE, it doesnt hurt to use semi or fully synthetic oil but dont go over board and use the gp500 stuff!

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » Thu May 15, 2008 5:34 pm

Smellybumlove wrote:those oils are only for super high tuned 2 strokes.

even a rgv 250 only needs basic synthetic oil!.

our bikes are low tuned so just regular 2 stroke oil is FINE, it doesnt hurt to use semi or fully synthetic oil but dont go over board and use the gp500 stuff!

Well, I now already have the Motul 710. It's not really that expensive. $14.00 online and $7.00 ordered through the local cycle shop (guess which one I'll be buying it from from now on).
As long as it can't hurt, I'll continue to use it. I'm a sucker for what it says on the back of the label. I tried Silkolene racing 2t for a while, and it really did smoke less than a cheaper brand.