This is my latest project bike, a 1997 Honda CR250. Make sure to check out the full Honda CR250 Trail Bike Conversion!
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If you ride on a budget, blended synthetic oil could be the alternative you’re looking for. Ever since synthetic oil made its way into the automotive market, it has reigned supreme in two related, yet very distinct categories: performance and price. The former is why most professional motocross and enduro riders use synthetic. And the latter is why many aspiring dirt bike riders are still sticking with their petroleum-based oil.
It’s true that fully synthetic oil is expensive, even more so when you compare motorcycle oil to automotive oil. And over the years, automotive companies have sought to close the price gap between full synthetic and petroleum-based oils. There answer to that problem lay with blended synthetic oil – a mix of both synthetic and petroleum-based oil.
What’s even better, they found that blended-synthetic oil features almost all of the same characteristics as a full synthetic. Below you’ll see the advantages and (few) disadvantages that come with using a synthetic blend.
It does NOT react drastically to changes in temperature. You already know that petroleum-based oil is notorious for thickening significantly in cold temperatures and thinning considerably in hot temperatures. You also know that synthetic oil stays a consistent thickness, no matter the temperature (mostly). Blended synthetic oil possesses that same characteristic.
Blended synthetic oil decomposes at a much slower rate than petroleum-based oil.
Synthetic blend lasts longer than petroleum-based oil, which means that it’s less prone to leave behind sludge and grime.
Reduces friction between engine components.
Blended synthetic also reduces friction between engine parts better than petroleum-based oil. Less resistance means less wear and tear, which translates into a longer lifespan for your engine.
Improves fuel economy.
Thanks to the shared higher viscosity it inherits from full synthetic oil, blended helps your dirt bike’s fuel economy.
Blended synthetic oil is also more affordable.
Thanks to being comprised of petroleum oil as well, blended synthetic has a much cheaper price tag than its pure synthetic counterpart.
Related: Have you ever wondered how the rear wheel hub works on your dirt bike?
Still priced higher than petroleum-based oils.
While blended synthetic oil is much cheaper than full synthetic, it is still more expensive than your typical petroleum-based oil. However, the price difference is not as significant.
Not as powerful as a full synthetic.
Synthetic blend engine oil does share most of the same benefits as full synthetic, but it doesn’t fully gain all of the full synthetic oil’s best attributes. For example, while it’s much more resistant to sludge build-up than petroleum-based oil, it is more susceptible to sludge build-up than full synthetic.
Blended vs. synthetic oil, that’s a question that could have many answers depending on your unique circumstances. However, if you were to ask me, here would be my general advice.
If you have the capital and you’re a serious dirt bike rider, then go ahead and buy the full synthetic. It’s just the best out of the three. The only problem is that that quality is expressed via its price.
If you’re on a budget and you’re a serious dirt bike rider, then go ahead and buy the blended synthetic oil. It’s going to give you better performance and protection than your standard petroleum-based without the hefty price tag of full synthetic.
And finally, if you’re a casual dirt bike rider, then I still recommend purchasing blended synthetic. It’s not too expensive, and the added lubricity, protection, and performance are well worth the extra couple of bucks you have to spend to get your hands on it.
If you’re still unsure of which direction you want to take, then I recommend you take a moment to look at your dirt bike’s owner’s manual. It should give you a recommendation of conventional, blended synthetic oil, or full synthetic, and nobody knows better than the company that makes the bike!
If you think blended synthetic oil is the best choice for you, you can always get a great deal on Amazon.com!
If you have any questions or anything to add, please leave them in the comments or on our FaceBook page!
Keep Reading – Should You Trust A 2-Stroke Oil Injection System?
What do YOU have in your trail pack? First aid? Food? Water? Tools? When you’re out on the trail are you covered? Check out the Full Trail Pack Article here.
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Trinchera Peak Trail GoPro video inside the Cuchara Recreation Area in the San Isabel National Forrest. The trail ascends 2600 feet from the campground and the summit. Make sure to check out the full Cuchara Rec Area Ride Report!
Video Slideshow of the Trinchera Peak Trail in the Cuchara Recreation Area inside the San Isabel National Forest in Southeast Colorado. Make sure to check out the full Cuchara Rec Area ride Report!
Indian Creek Trail Video and Photos from inside the Cuchara Recreation area inside the San Isabel National Forest. Make sure to check out the full Cuchara Rec Area Ride Report!
A Photo Gallery of the Indian Creek Trail inside the Cuchara Recreation Area inside San Isabel National Forest. All together this trail is around 22 miles long with a challenging single track for motorcycles, horses, and hiking. Elevation from trail head to trail head is roughly a 3000-foot difference.
A photo gallery of the Trinchera Peak Trail in the Cuchara Recreation Area inside San Isabel National Forest. The trail starts at 10,000 feet above sea level and ends at 12,690.
Click to view the full image
The Cuchara Recreation Area is Located inside the San Isabel National Forest in Southeast Colorado. No videos or pictures can do this place justice! Make sure to check out the full Cuchara Rec Area ride Report!
Everyone regularly pays close attention to what they’re putting in their engines, but they tend to forget about another area where oil is pretty essential – their front suspension forks. Oil in your suspension fork is what prevents your bike from bouncing around the track like it’s a pogo stick, and the higher the quality of oil you use, the smoother action you’ll receive from your suspension.
Maxima Oil is one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of high-performance lubricants. Professionals and amateurs use their products alike, and they consistently deliver exceptional results.
While they’re best known for their motor oils, they also make a line of affordable suspension oils as well. If you’re looking for a quality oil to put inside your suspension, you’re never wrong in choosing to use Maxima fork oil.
Based on what I’ve heard from several different users of Maxima’s fork fluid, they are very pleased with its performance, they like its price point, and use it in bikes that are ridden in tough conditions.
One rider says that he uses it in all of his bikes and that it was made for “tough riding.”
Another rider says they’ve used it for years and that it’s never let them down once.
Maxima Racing dirt bike fork oil can be found in various automotive and specialty shops around the country and online.
Get a bottle for yourself on Amazon!
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Next Review – SDG Seat Assembly