2018 KYB Oil alternative
 

Hi,

Planing on doing fork maintenance, saw on the manual that the recomended oil is KY B 01M Oil, what would be an alternative oil from other brand like motul?
Motul fork oil 5w?

Thanks.

Any 5w fork oil will work just fine. I typically use the Honda branded oil


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Thank you for the info.

Motul Factory Line 5W is very close on viscosity to the KYB oil and I have used it successfully in a number of different fork makes.

I use MOTOREX FORK OIL!

Masterpiece oil technology!


https://www.motorex.com/en-us/moto-l...-_daempferoele

Has anyone tried 2.5w in their 18/19 kyb forks?

Yep, inner carts get 2.5w,outer get 5w.
I?m using maxima 3w in the inner cartridge,cst is 4.8@100 Celsius and 14.8@40c.
Fantastic in rear shock too but at 50hrs,requires replacing.

How would you describe the effect of the 2.5w?

I've heard of guys using a (lighter) 1.0 ICS spring; does this do something similar?

Jeff

Ive been using 2.5 wt as well, Motorex & now Maxima 3wt in both forks and shock in last revalve.
Why 5wt in the fork outers?

5-7.5w is fine in outers,it?s primary job is lubricating the fork bushes and oil seals.

The Maxima 5w is close to the KYB viscosity.

I saw some posts on TT that said lighter viscosity oils like 2.5w reduces dampening which is a common tuning tool, but it can create other issues when the light oil gets hot and further reduces viscosity.

You can put different oil in both chambers, but over time the inner and outer chamber oils mix and blend together.

Good stuff, I can use up the old 5wt i have in tbe shed on the fork outers at the next oli change;)

Motorex 2.5w has the same ratings as the kyb oil and is good stuff.

Anyone every try any other types of oil like ATF or hydraulic fluid?

you would be doing a lot of trial and error if you do not know their viscosity. So many other variables with suspension rather just stick with one oil

The options are ATF or hydraulic fluid.

Not sure on the viscosity of various ATF brands but hydraulic fluid is fairly simple as the ISO standards equate to specific oil weights. For example the ISO 22 oil is equivalent to 5w oil.

Hydraulic fluid is WAY less expensive than fork oil. Like WAY less expensive.

Hydraulic fluid is less expensive. But if you try finding correct synthetic hydraulic fluid, things get much more expensive and are usually sold in bulk.
If mineral is fine, then no problem.

just going off the sales pitch of suspension oils, does the ATF have the non foaming properties of suspension oil? and also longevity (and consistency iro not fading) of being forced through valves multiple times per second

I don't know the answers, but just two questions i would be trying to find answers for

I am going to try some of the Amsoil 5w light Shock Therapy suspension oil.

I was an engineer with GM's Hydra-matic (aka, High-dramatic) automatic transmission division in the 1980s. I spend alot of time with ATF.

1. Yes, ATF has anti-foaming agents. Foam entrains air in ATF, which reduces its bulk modulus (stiffness), which affects clutch timing (rate of engagement/disengagement) as the fluid "pushes" against a spring. Automatic transmissions have significant spinning elements, all of which work to "whip" the oil. Foam also causes pump cavitation, which causes excessive wear on the pump as well as adversely affects shift quality. Foamy oil is very detrimental to performance, so anti-foam elements are added to everyone's formulation.

2. ATF also has to deal with the pump, pressure regulator/relief valve, and the valves which operate in the valve body. All of those operate at relatively high frequency (pumps at much higher frequencies) than oil passing through a shim stack, so a suspension application won't pose a problem for forks/shocks.

ATF also contains solvents/detergents which keep the hydraulic valves in the transmission clean, free from sticking, and generally happy. That will work to keep your shim stack clean.

castrol 5W synthetic, packed in 0.5L, has pretty much the same properties as kayaba01 regarding Cst at 40 and 100 degrees. It is also prescribed oil for SSS and OC suspension fitted on german husqvarnas 310, 449 and 511.

It appears to be a fork oil. https://www.castrol.com/en_au/austra...bike-care.html

Castrol Fork Oil 5W 454142

I was not able to find it on the American Castrol web site.

This is what I have used in the past. Hi spec synthetic oil at a good price.

Ravenol forkoil light 5W, extremely high viscosity index (300 vs 150 for KYB oil) is even more stable in variety of temp changes and close in CSt to KYB 01 oil. Affordable in EU @ 5.75gbp / quart.

I was just reading on teknik motorsport's website that the 2018 and 2019 are specced with with different weight oil. 2018 being 5wt and 2019 being 2.5wt. What am I to make of this? I'm due for a fork rebuild now.

Strange, as both owners manuals (2018 and 2019) state that the same oil (KYB Fork Oil 01M, 5Wt) has to be used :confused:

I was sure it was a typo. I'll be ringing them tomorrow for an overhaul kit and possibly some lighter springs as I cant bottom these forks with the stock springs.

Lighter springs.. You'd be the first there Gez..

You like 50kgs or something?

PS. I don't believe it's ideal to be using all your travel all the time. Might give you a more supple ride, but doesn't give you any leeway in the event of an unexpected. Land to flat from couple meter drop off.. should find the end of the stroke for you!

I'm 65kg before I gear up. Not much of me for sure. When riding whoops last weekend in the desert, still about 60mm from the fork lug.

I've got 10kgs on you.. might be closer to 15 since I last weighed and I've toyed with the idea of going up a rate. Fully kitted adds quite a few kilos too.

Are you happy with the action? I think stock outer fluid level is around 360ml on these. I used to run 315ml in my old set with heavier springs. Cheap and quick to try!

Thanks I was thinking of dropping some oil out and trying that. $400 cheaper.

Been using ATF in the forks for years.All brand open and closed types of forks