I have used automotive oil in previous motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATV's. I understand how and what oil does in an internal combustion engine. Do motorcycles really need "motorcycle oil" that is almost 300% the price of qutomotive oil. I "buy into" the hype about cycle oils being better for friction since I have researched this issue to a certain extent.
I guess my question would have to be narrowed down to this:
Does motorcycle oil really attribute to better operation and wear charactoristics of the "wet clutch" that motorcycles of today use?
2006-07-25 11:03:34 · 15 answers · asked by mech63s_98 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Automotive engines do use smooth bearings
2006-07-25 12:27:45 · update #1
The difference between a motorcycle specific oil and an automotive oil is the additive package. Each one being specific to the oil company or manufacturers guidelines. The pricing difference is just plain old supply and demand. The total output and sales of all motorcycle specific oils is probably less than any one line of automotive oil, you know?
Automotive oils will work, but will break down sooner. Energy conserving oils contain friction modifiers and aren't good for a wet clutch. The majority of non-motorcycle specific oils that don't contain friction modifiers are mostly diesel engine oils.
None of the motorcycle manufacturers 'produce' their own oil, but it is formulated to their exact specifications. For example, Honda doesn't offer a fully synthetic oil, only petroleum based and semi-synthetics. The additive package was formulated by a company in Jacksonville, Fla named "Apollo Engineering" but to Honda's specifications. Mobil oil is the 'distributor' for all of Honda's oil products, so the base stock is Mobil's with the Apollo additive package.
Kawasaki's pure synthetic oil is nothing more than Motul E-Tech 100 with a different label.
Clear as mud now isn't it? ;)
2006-07-25 13:43:56 · answer #1 · answered by Nomad 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Where To Buy Motorcycle Oil
2016-12-30 09:28:57 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Motorcycle specific oils contain additives banned by the EPA. These oils are made overseas which accounts for some of the price difference. The additives were mostly to carry off heat.
I ride a liquid-cooled flat six engine mc. I have used mostly Mobil 1 (gold cap) auto oil for the best part of 148,000 miles.
Heavier weight auto oils do not contain the friction modifiers that would cause clutch slippage. 10w40 and heavier should be OK ... * as long as the bottle does not carry the words Energy Saving in the sae circle on the back of the bottle.
Having made a short story long, the answer is "no". :-)
2006-07-25 13:37:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes motorcycle oil does have it's benefits if you are using a synthetic. A regular automotive synthetic will cause your clutch to slip. If you are using regular standard oil than all oils will work. In my oil cooled 85 Nighthawk I ran 20W-50 Valvoline. In my 2004 Honda Shadow Sabre I use 10W-40 Honda Synthetic oil. Where I buy my oil for my bike it is the same price as Mobile 1 synthetic so perhaps you should find a different supplier of your motorcycle oil.
2006-07-25 11:11:40 · answer #4 · answered by ubet426 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Motorcycle oil vs. automotive oil?
I have used automotive oil in previous motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATV's. I understand how and what oil does in an internal combustion engine. Do motorcycles really need "motorcycle oil" that is almost 300% the price of qutomotive oil. I "buy into" the hype about cycle oils...
2015-08-18 14:07:49 · answer #5 · answered by Addie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Motorcycle oil has to do double duty. In the engine, and the transmission, and that causes different problems than just engine oil. The action of the gears mashing the oil actually cuts the oil molecules apart causing viscosity loss.
Special additives are needed to combat this, though modern automobile oils are much better than they were years ago. I use both depending on what I'm doing.
2006-07-25 11:08:07 · answer #6 · answered by Rockvillerich 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Short answer-NO, it does not matter that much.
Long answer- Specifically designed motorcycle oils, like AMSoil, or Golden Spectro have additives which reduce oil evaporation and carbon buildup. So if you want to eat off your motor, or are racing it, or rebuild it often, then a formulated oil will leave your valves cleaner, and cylinder walls less abraded.
2006-07-25 11:19:45 · answer #7 · answered by NinjaRacer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Along with the gears mashing and clutch answers, most motorcycles these days use "smooth" bearings (no moving parts like ball bearings) on the crankshaft journals and connecting rods. Harleys, small engine bikes and dirt bikes use ball bearings.
Automotive oil doesn't lubricate smooth bearings adequately. Smooth bearings don't move. The crankshaft journals just slide around in them. The clearance between the crankshaft journals and bearings are as small as .0015"
2006-07-25 12:02:14 · answer #8 · answered by guardrailjim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Motorcycle oil does not have friction additives thus keeping the oil to the clutches where it belongs
car oil has friction additives so the clutches will lack oil causing them to rub together and wear faster
You can use car oil but not recommended
2006-07-25 11:25:42 · answer #9 · answered by Vulcan 1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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Motorcycle specific oil ONLY... Castrol 4T ect... Any automotive NON-SILICATE, NON NITRITE antifreeze mixed 50:50 with water is fine... Prestone All Brands ect. The other advice I see is just rubbish.
2016-04-08 12:55:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋