Yamaha Synthetic Racing Grease

[Hooray!]

Just searched and did not find any other posts with "Yamaha Synthetic Racing Grease" so figured others may have the same question so a new thread... Any insights experience with putting this everywhere (front and rear suspension) vs. the non-synthetic "high-performance suspension grease" Yamaha also sells... I assume synthetic is better (for $6) everywhere but perhaps not, it spells out synthetic racing grease applications where "Grease B and LS" are called out and then the non-synthetic where "Esso Beacon 325 and Aeroshell Grease #7" (WTF!) as specified.... opinions? I wanted to go full synthetic everywhere, grease and oils...

 

[Hooray!]

Doing some google research, interesting PDF attached, 16 pages of grease talk by Shell! Related to Beacon 325, here is what Mobil has to say:

BEACON™ 325
Mobil Grease, United Kingdom

Product Description
BEACON™ 325 is a high performance grease specifically formulated for the lubrication of precision equipment operating at moderate and low temperatures. It is made with a synthetic base oil of extremely low viscosity and low volatility plus a lithium soap. BEACON 325 is characterised by good mechanical stability, a high degree of resistance to water and extremely high oxidation stability. As its base oil viscosity is low and the viscosity index of the fluid is high, the grease has excellent low temperature properties including low starting and running torque at very cold temperatures and good pumpability.

BEACON 325 provides excellent service in a wide variety of small bearings and small, lightly loaded gears that operate over a wide temperature range. Its long lubrication life and excellent oxidation stability well suit it for use as a bearing lubricant in sealed-for-life units in automotive, aircraft and industrial applications. The recommended application temperature range for continuous operation for BEACON 325 is -50ºC to 120ºC.



Features and Benefits
BEACON 325 is a member of the Mobil brand of lubricating products recognized for their high quality and reliability, as well as performance capabilities. As with other Mobil greases, this product is manufactured to the strictest quality standards. A key feature of BEACON 325 is its use of a synthetic fluid to provide optimum performance for low temperature precision applications. BEACON 325 offers the following quality features:

• Special synthetic base oil provides excellent low-torque and low temperature properties
• Excellent oxidation stability for extended grease life needed for filled for life applications
• Very good water resistance ensures proper lubrication even in the presence of incidental water contamination
• Low volatility base oil permits operation at moderate to high temperature without fluid evaporation

Applications
Application notes: BEACON 325 is formulated with an organic ester synthetic oil. This synthetic oil may cause a softening or swelling of certain plastics, elastomers, paints, or varnishes. How serious the softening or swelling tendency may be depends also on the temperature and the period of contact. Contact your local ExxonMobil lubricants representative for further information on materials compatibility.

BEACON 325 provides excellent service in a wide variety of small bearings and lightly loaded gears that operate over a wide temperature range, including such applications as:

• Naval, marine, and aircraft instruments and control mechanisms
• Geared limit switches in Limitorque valve actuators
• Commercial and military electronic equipment
• Sealed for life motors, generators, and similar equipment in automotive, aviation and industrial applications

 

[Hooray!]

Found a general thread here on ty via google from 2006, seems like Amsoil Water Resistant Synthetic Grease was the opinion for use everywhere, no mention of the 2x cost Yamaha Racing Syn Grease (maybe not invented then). Another posted the Esso Beacon 325 rated for salt water applications was the goto and another commented not so much the grease quality as the greasing frequency... like after every ride to push the water out. Would be nice if our front ends had zerks! More questions than answers as usual.

 

[pro-man]

I've found lucas X-Tra heavy duty grease affordable and readily available and not washing out of suspension components as quickly as other greases I've used in the past.

 

[Hooray!]

Not washing out seems to be one of the most important characteristics I would think as most of our lubrication points are unsealed, really only a flat washer or plastic bushing holding grease in. Reason I started using waterproof marine full synthetic on the front end assembly and I suppose why it makes a case for Amsoil water resistant full synthetic grease, curious how the Yamaha full synthetic will stay in as there is no claim to water resistance I have read...

 

[jimbur]

I go with the Marine synthetic also every year.

 

[Hooray!]

Jim, agree... my logic was water resistant grease has better adhesion, there may be better greases out there but if they wash out, does not matter... Interesting so hard to get clear direction on such an important item. On the old post I found, one guy simply stated, pump new grease in every ride and does not matter what type of grease it is as it is in there! Some truth to that, super XYZ grease once a year and if it washes out on a wet ride, did not matter it was the best thing out there. Still would be nice to know what Yamaha was trying to communicate with the Synthetic where "B" and LS" is called for. I did find the attached documents with more grease information, starting to understand all the types (soap, non-soap, etc) and the acronyms at least.

 

[Hooray!]

Completed all my research on grease while waiting for parts. I have been using Peak synthetic marine water resistant grease (blue) to pre-lube all the bushings and parts after the Thurst adhesive synthetic lubricant but wanted to pump everything up with the best grease I could find. I ordered the Yamaha synthetic racing grease but have learned that the lithium soap grease is not the best water resistant one out there. Determined the Amsoil synthetic water resistant grease is the one I am going with. Hands down one of the better and most tested out there (as well as their oils) and amazingly only $8.55 at the local NAPA. Reading the label, it shows sleds on it and is "Designed specifically for wet applications"... blue it is!