MXA TEAM TESTED: STR OIL PRESSURE TEST KIT

WHAT IS IT? Your motorcycle engine depends on the proper amount of oil at the correct viscosity. The best way to determine if your oil pressure is within spec is to check it. MXA recommends checking when the engine first breaks in, then checking it at regular intervals depending on how much you ride. 

An oil pressure gauge can tell you the oil pressure in psi. On KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas motocross engines, the ideal oil pressure reading at idle should be around 25 psi (when the engine is warm and operating under normal conditions). The next test is to check the oil pressure at 6000 rpm. The proper specified oil pressure should be 50 psi. 

Think of your bike’s oil pressure as though it were your body’s blood pressure. It can diagnose a problem before harm is done.  

WHAT’S IT COST? $95.00.

CONTACT? www.systemtechracing.com or (303) 794-5095. 

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the System Tech Racing Oil Pressure Test kit.

(1) Idle oil pressure. What should you do if your oil pressure is low? You can increase your oil pressure by ensuring that the oil level is within the manufacturer’s recommended range, using high-quality oil that meets the manufacturer’s spec, changing your oil filter regularly, keeping the oil passageways clean, and always making sure your bike’s oil pump is in good condition.

Do not try to raise your oil pressure by running thicker viscosity oil. It will “raise” your oil pressure, but it will decrease the oil volume and raise the engine temperature

(2) High oil pressure. Oil pressure is determined by the resistance oil faces when flowing through the oil passages of the engine. High oil pressure is an indicator that the oil is not able to properly pass through the journals, delivery tubes and small passage ways to lube the bearings, cam followers, nozzle jets and cam surfaces.

(3) Performance. The STR Oil Pressure kit is easy to use and can be installed in 15 minutes. The gauge indicates what the oil pressure is. 

(4) Fitment. First, warm up your engine until the oil is at operating temperature. Second, lay the bike on its side by resting the triple clamp against your bike stand. Third, remove the oil filter cover, pull the oil filter out and set it aside (it will be going back in). Fourth, put the STR oil pressure gauge in place of the stock oil filter cover (STR provides a new O-ring for their cover). Five, lift the bike up vertically and fire up the engine. Set that throttle at idle speed and read the oil pressure gauge. Once you record that number, set the rpm at approximately 6000 rpm and read that number; the numbers should be 24 psi at idle and 50 psi at 6000 rpm. Six, lay the bike back down sideways, remove the STR oil pressure cap, and reinstall the stock oil filter and cap. Finally, jot down the oil pressure numbers and the date in a log book or your ECU maintenance tracker.  

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? No complaints. 

MXA RATING: Monitoring your oil pressure will not make your bike faster or fix what ails it, but it will give you fair warning that something is going wrong.