How much 2-stroke, and why?

[Bandit9]

I remember back when I first started riding I was all freaked out about oil and pre mix ratios. Caused a lot of anxiety. Then one day, I figured out that it is all a bunch of crap. 32:1 42:1 50:1, none of it really matters. Just pick an oil and ratio for your application and never question or think about it again. That is what I did and have lived a much happier and simplified existence ever since. Guess what? No oil related issues since then either. When was the last time anyone read about a VERIFIED oil related engine failure?

[djroggen]

2011 they recommend 100:1 oil mix and 50:1 mineral oil. Ha.

[hamilton]

I think we all agree it's best to mix oil with the gas!

[erniebearskin]

Opti 2 at 80:1, because I bunch of guys I ride with have been that oil/ratio for almost 20 years with great results and I trust their recommendations. No smoke, no spooge but I do foul the odd plug with Opti.

[Coop]

Originally Posted by Bandit9

You mean you actually got a manual with your bike?

Yep, two of them. Owners manual and a service/warranty manual.

[Bandit9]

Originally Posted by Coop

Yep, two of them. Owners manual and a service/warranty manual.

You lucky dog.....

[modette]

I run AMSOil and I follow the manual at 50:1. I'll stick to that...and no idea on hours (do people track these) but I guess 5,000 miles since Jan if not more...never thought to open engine and look at stuff...maybe winter of 2014. Bike runs great.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by hamilton

I think we all agree it's best to mix oil with the gas!

Yes....I agree.

[gasser]

Originally Posted by modette

I run AMSOil and I follow the manual at 50:1. I'll stick to that.

Amsoil makes at least 3 different 2stroke oils. Interceptor, Dominator, and Saber. All are excellent and can be mailed to your door here in the U.S. for around $10 a quart. Dominator is the racing oil and the oil most dealerships carry if they have Amsoil. It has a below average flashpoint (compared to oils most dealerships carry) so is very good for bikes that don't run extremely hot. Interceptor has a slightly lower flashpoint and is perfect for 300 2strokes or smaller 2strokes that are lugged a lot. For ratios up to 50/1 (2%) these oils can't be beat for the money. If you want to save money Saber (has a higher than average flashpoint) is good for ratios up to 100/1 (1%). I use it at 75/1 in my 250 and I'm very happy. At nearly 200 hours on this top end it starts 1st kick when warm and runs very strong top to bottom. It does get a little warm on very long,very hard hill climbs so it sometimes steams a little but doesn't boil over. I tried running Saber at 60/1 when I had my 300 but a 300 ridden as easy as I ride doesn't get hot enough for the this oil to work properly.
One comment about manual recommendations they go out the window as soon as you rejet and/ or change the type of oil you use in a new bike. All modern 2stroke enduro bikes are designed the same and have essentially the same tolerances and oil needs. Bike manufacturers no doubt use a synthetic oil they buy in bulk and follow the ratio recommendation of that oil supplier then jet their bikes accordingly. We should do the same. By that we should pick an oil that meets our needs (such as price, availability, quality, riding style) mix it at the ratios recommended by the oil maker and rejet as needed.

[bkwdc]

Hey gasser. Cant get these knoxville boys off the couch. Are you guys still ridin over there?