Red Engine Oil?

Hey guys, when i bought my WR the other day i noticed the oil was a red color i thought this was weird because I've never seen a red oil before. So i asked the owner what kind of oil was in it to which he replied Bel-ray Thumper. So after i bought the bike and brought it home i started looking at oils for it and found that the Bel-ray oil that is red in color is distinctive for chaincase oils.. So is this bad that my engine oil is actually oil for a transmission or is there another oil out there that you guys know of that is also red??? I really hope the guy before me didn't ruin the engine by putting the wrong oil in it..

I would change it and put in some good 10-40, chain case oil use to be around a 20 weight viscosity, they may have changed by now,

Fiftygrit wrote:

I would change it and put in some good 10-40, chain case oil use to be around a 20 weight viscosity, they may have changed by now,

Yeah i'm going to get some oil and a filter for it tomorrow and change it. Any suggestions on what oil brand to put in it? this is what it looked like through the sight glass. I did go out and get alittle out of the crankcase and it smells like oil and feels like oil but i guess it's better to change it. Would be a shame to waste 20$ a quart belray oil though.

Evol wrote:

I use Motul 7100 4T 10w40 oil (for wet clutch) in my bike and it's red. It looks exactly the same as the oil in your photo.

Ok that makes me feel better. I've never seen red oil before so i was alittle worried but if it's normal i may just leave it, it's extremely clean when i put a dab on my finger. I think it may be abit full though, with the bike perfectly leveled the oil is above the top of the sight glass. Isn't it supposed to be halfway or a tick above half?

Belray's description:
Bel-Ray® Thumper Racing Synthetic Ester Blend 4T Engine Oil is a 4-stroke motorcycle racing oil that combines the finest quality synthetic esters and highly-refined mineral base oils specifically engineered for today’s 4-stroke single cylinder, multi-valve racing engines. Provides maximum anti-wear protection for valve-trains, rings, cylinders and pistons. Delivers maximum horsepower while providing consistent clutch performance. Meets API SM and JASO MA2 requirements. Suitable for air-cooled/liquid-cooled 4-stroke engines and wet clutches.
http://www.belray.com/bel-ray-thumper-racing-synthetic-ester-blend-4t-engine-oil

Motul's description:
100% Synthetic with ester 4-Stroke engine oil. Formulated to meet the newest in motorycle manufactuerer specifications in terms of JASO and API. Designed with the perfect synergy for less oil comsuption, reduced engine internal friction and extreme pressure performace, for more power.
-JASO MA2 ensure optimum clutch performace at start-up, acceleration and full speed.
-API SN provide improved high temperature deposit protection for more stringent sludge control.
https://www.motul.com/ca/en-US/products/oils-lubricants/7100-4t-10w40--3?f[range


They sound the same to me. I'd enjoy the good stuff. Motul is the only oil I use in my bikes. But I'd be willing to run the Belray oil seeing how it's probably the exact same oil with 2 different brand labels on the packaging.

Also, I change the oil filter every time I change the oil. I also put 1.3L of fresh oil in with the new filter. This (contrary to the manual) gives a perfect level in the sight glass.

Don't be afraid to drop a bit of the oil to get it between the level marks on the sight glass.

EDIT: I read the .pdf's on each website and Motul states that their product is red in color. Belray however states an amber color.

EDIT #2: I searched and found on ThumperTalk someone said  "I do like how it's RED in color and you can visually see when it gets dirty better than the murky green/gray/brown types."
http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/630103-bel-ray-thumper-10w40-oil/

You should be good. Like I originally said, enjoy the good stuff.

Evol wrote:

Belray's description:
Bel-Ray® Thumper Racing Synthetic Ester Blend 4T Engine Oil is a 4-stroke motorcycle racing oil that combines the finest quality synthetic esters and highly-refined mineral base oils specifically engineered for today’s 4-stroke single cylinder, multi-valve racing engines. Provides maximum anti-wear protection for valve-trains, rings, cylinders and pistons. Delivers maximum horsepower while providing consistent clutch performance. Meets API SM and JASO MA2 requirements. Suitable for air-cooled/liquid-cooled 4-stroke engines and wet clutches.
http://www.belray.com/bel-ray-thumper-racing-synthetic-ester-blend-4t-engine-oil

Motul's description:
100% Synthetic with ester 4-Stroke engine oil. Formulated to meet the newest in motorycle manufactuerer specifications in terms of JASO and API. Designed with the perfect synergy for less oil comsuption, reduced engine internal friction and extreme pressure performace, for more power.
-JASO MA2 ensure optimum clutch performace at start-up, acceleration and full speed.
-API SN provide improved high temperature deposit protection for more stringent sludge control.
https://www.motul.com/ca/en-US/products/oils-lubricants/7100-4t-10w40--3?f[range


They sound the same to me. I'd enjoy the good stuff. Motul is the only oil I use in my bikes. But I'd be willing to run the Belray oil seeing how it's probably the exact same oil with 2 different brand labels on the packaging.

Also, I change the oil filter every time I change the oil. I also put 1.3L of fresh oil in with the new filter. This (contrary to the manual) gives a perfect level in the sight glass.

Don't be afraid to drop a bit of the oil to get it between the level marks on the sight glass.

EDIT: I read the .pdf's on each website and Motul states that their product is red in color. Belray however states an amber color.

EDIT #2: I searched and found on ThumperTalk someone said  "I do like how it's RED in color and you can visually see when it gets dirty better than the murky green/gray/brown types."
http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/630103-bel-ray-thumper-10w40-oil/

You should be good. Like I originally said, enjoy the good stuff.

Awesome thanks for all the info! I think i'll stick with the belray in it for now until it starts to change color and then maybe go with some amsoil. I was looking on there website and found two different types, one for motorcycles (i'm assuming street) and the other for dirtbikes. I'm curious as to which one would be the best fit for the WR. Might send them an email and see what they have to say. Here's the links.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/motorcycle/synthetic-sae-10w-40-dirt-bike-oil/?code=DB40QT-EA

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/motorcycle/10w-40-advanced-synthetic-motorcycle-oil/?code=MCFQT-EA

I'd change it before I rode the bike, myself, as part of the inspection and pre-ride process.
Why?
Who knows what it really is, and this is one of the things I always do when buying a used motorcycle.
It may be 4-stroke oil suitable for your WR250R, or it may be a red-colored oil that is not.

I've seen guys actually pour oil into their 4-stroke bike that is made for a 2-stroke transmission/clutch (such as a Yamaha YZ250 2-stroke), not knowing any better - they thought the oil you pour into a WR250R only lubricated the clutch and tranny, while it actually lubricates the entire engine as well as the clutch and tranny.
Bel-Ray does make a red-colored oil called "Gear Saver", too.
Guess what that is made for.

Not trying to panic you, but, yes, there are guys that stupid when it comes to motorcycles.
Did the guy you bought it from hand over the Owner's Manual?

By the way, you absolutely do not have to go with some expensive oil that sells for $12 per quart or liter.
Plain ol' petroleum-based Yamalube or Honda GN4 or Suzuki or Kawasaki or Bel-Ray, Maxima, etc., etc., etc. 4-stroke 10/40 engine oil will be just fine and work well.
That's what the bike come out of the Yamaha factory with.
Just change it when you are supposed to.
Same for the air filter - service it often, especially if you do any off-road riding.

Of the 2 links you posted, the second one is the oil you want since it is designed for wet clutch.

This one: http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/motorcycle/10w-40-advanced-synthetic-motorcycle-oil/?code=MCFQT-EA

Hi
I use Castrol Power 1 racing JASO ma2 10w50 for my WR250x.
It's red colored.

Penty of oil is red coloured.

I wouldnt change fresh oil, unless the seller seemed sketchy. I always sell my bikes with fresh quality oil.

[quote="YZEtc"]I'd change it before I rode the bike, myself, as part of the inspection and pre-ride process.

Not trying to panic you, but, yes, there are guys that stupid when it comes to motorcycles.
Did the guy you bought it from hand over the Owner's Manual?

I agree!  My second bike was a 2 stroke and when I asked the previous owner what oil to use in the bike he told me GTX 20 40.  Sooo I dumped the 2 stroke oil out of the oil tank and filled it with GTX!!!https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_scratch.png

I'm running Bel-Ray Thumper, and it is definitely not red. It's amber.