KDXRIDER.NET

new to the site, just got a 96 kdx, been out of the dirt bike stuff for a while, the guy i got it from used type f trans fluid in the clutch case/gear box, he said it worked well, was wondering how often it needs to be changed? every ride? every other ride? most of the long rides i will be doing are anywhere between 60 to 80 miles. thanks...

I know lots of people go overboard with how often they say to change it. I run ATF as well and I have been running mine for about a month between changes. That normally includes 2 or 3 rides a week, 20 to 50 miles a day, and I'm running an auto-clutch that is hard on the ATF. Hope that helps!

yeah, thanks. this is the first time ive had a bike that trans fluid was being used in it.

I use type F and change it if there is any color change in the sight glass or if the transmission starts to shift poorly.

In my opinion, it depends on how hard you ride the bike. Under race conditions, change it every time. If you're just cruising, stretch it out some. Either way, it's cheap to do when using house brand ATF.

yeah i will just keep an eye on it, like i said atf was new to me using it in the clutch case/gear box, seems to shift well though, alot smoother than i remember my bikes using 10/30 oil. was just concerned on how often it should be changed since it was new to me, not wanting my clutches or gears to go south, thanks to all of ya,ll for the input and help. im ready to go do some roosting!

Yeah, no worry on wear as long as you change when it starts discoloring or notice the a shifting feel change.

ATF is designed for automatic transmissions that have multiple clutch packs that slip every time the transmission shifts. They don't slip as much as a dirt bike clutch but if you think of how many times the automatic transmission shifts between oil changes they do slip a lot. An automatic transmission has gears and bearings much like a dirt bike. Also an automatic transmission tends to run hotter for longer than a dirt bike transmission.

So ATF in a dirt bike should be just fine.

rbates9 wrote:ATF is designed for automatic transmissions that have multiple clutch packs that slip every time the transmission shifts. They don't slip as much as a dirt bike clutch but if you think of how many times the automatic transmission shifts between oil changes they do slip a lot. An automatic transmission has gears and bearings much like a dirt bike. Also an automatic transmission tends to run hotter for longer than a dirt bike transmission.

So ATF in a dirt bike should be just fine.

Yup. Also, most auto manufacturers call for 50 to 100k mile service intervals as well. Our little bikes won't see anywhere near that many miles before a change.

I want to say the old Fords that called for type F had a 30K change interval. But still far more than a bike would go on a oil change, or even in it's life.

The difference between type F and the other manufacturer recommended ATF's is not significant, so it's not a big deal if you use one of the other readily available ATF's. I change mine about once a year. Most auto trans in cars never get changed.

SS109 wrote:

rbates9 wrote:ATF is designed for automatic transmissions that have multiple clutch packs that slip every time the transmission shifts. They don't slip as much as a dirt bike clutch but if you think of how many times the automatic transmission shifts between oil changes they do slip a lot. An automatic transmission has gears and bearings much like a dirt bike. Also an automatic transmission tends to run hotter for longer than a dirt bike transmission.

So ATF in a dirt bike should be just fine.

Yup. Also, most auto manufacturers call for 50 to 100k mile service intervals as well. Our little bikes won't see anywhere near that many miles before a change.

Don't forget that cars also have fluid filters and coolers, so the life of the fluid can be extended significantly. We don't have that luxury unfortunately, so we need to change it much more often.

I find that my tranny fluid lasts longer in the cold weather.

Slick_Nick wrote:

SS109 wrote:

rbates9 wrote:
Don't forget that cars also have fluid filters and coolers, so the life of the fluid can be extended significantly. We don't have that luxury unfortunately, so we need to change it much more often.

That's true, but compared to an auto trans, there's almost no heat or contamination.

zomby woof wrote:

Slick_Nick wrote:
Don't forget that cars also have fluid filters and coolers, so the life of the fluid can be extended significantly. We don't have that luxury unfortunately, so we need to change it much more often.

That's true, but compared to an auto trans, there's almost no heat or contamination.

Yup! Plus, we have only friction discs while a typical car has discs, plus friction bands, servos (on more moderns cars), and the torque convertor. They all create lots of heat, especially the torque convertor.

The average auto gets hotter going to the store to get milk than a bike on a good ride.

rbates9 wrote:The average auto gets hotter going to the store to get milk than a bike on a good ride.

Correct, but the bike will have many more contaminents. Car transmissions have wet clutches, but they don't wear nearly as fast or create anywhere as much debris as a bike clutch does. That, coupled with the lack of a filter, and you get fluid that gets dirty quickly.

Slick_Nick wrote:

rbates9 wrote:The average auto gets hotter going to the store to get milk than a bike on a good ride.

Correct, but the bike will have many more contaminants. Car transmissions have wet clutches, but they don't wear nearly as fast or create anywhere as much debris as a bike clutch does. That, coupled with the lack of a filter, and you get fluid that gets dirty quickly.

I don't think that anyone is saying to use ATF and go 30,000 between changes. I think the point was that ATF in a dirt bike transmission is a good option to the over priced bike specific oils. And the change interval should be determined by the user as to how they ride and how much they want to change the oil.

Yes there is less oil in a dirt bike. No they do not have coolers, or filters. But the basic idea of the parts are the same so the oil is a good alternative.

rbates9 wrote:I don't think that anyone is saying to use ATF and go 30,000 between changes. I think the point was that ATF in a dirt bike transmission is a good option to the over priced bike specific oils. And the change interval should be determined by the user as to how they ride and how much they want to change the oil.

Yes there is less oil in a dirt bike. No they do not have coolers, or filters. But the basic idea of the parts are the same so the oil is a good alternative.

Exactly!

At a measly $4 a quart (basically cheaper than a fancy coffee) why not change it every 10 hours or so?