is motorcycle oil diffrent from automobile oil or just a scam to charge 5.00 a quart at dealer?

Answer 1

There MAY be a small difference in anti-foaming ingredients due to the motorcycle engine running at much higher RPMs than normal car/truck engines.

There may also be a benefit if you have an engine that, as per manufacturer specifications, requires a non-standard oil, or an older bike that may have seals/gaskets that could be adversely affected by the newer blends.


Other than that, it is dealer profit on a standard oil that may have been re-labeled to make the package appealing to motorcyclists.

Check the manufacturer specifications for the oil itself (ASE SF/SH etc. and go with that.

Answer 2

I have yet to see a test where someone could measure a real difference, or an account of a bike engine killed by automotive oil. There are a couple things to watch for, though, if you're going to put car oil in a bike.

First, don't get an oil that's too thin, and second, don't get an oil that is marked Energy Conserving. Automotive oils are often like this to improve fuel economy. But these super-thin oils don't work on a motorcycle clutch. Check the oil weight numbers and look for the API mark, and get one with the weight that matches what your motorcycle owner's manual says to run.

I use a dealership service manual to maintain my bike - and it DOESN'T say to use motorcycle specific oil at all, just gives the grade and thickness.

Answer 3

I thought I'd weigh in being it's a question about lubricants. Everyone knows (except some of you experts) that motorcycle clutches and transmission gears run in the same oil that flows through the motor. Motorcycle oil has different qualities because of that. The bottom line is that if you have a $200 Honda run anything you can find. If you have something worth a crap then spend $5 on the oil. *Don't skimp on the lubricants. *

Answer 4

Motorcycle oil doesn't have friction modifiers like automotive oil. Thats really the only difference.

You can use auto oil in a motorcycle and not hurt anything but the friction modifiers can cause clutch slippage in some applications.

Use whatever you want tho. Debates on which oil is best to use will be going on until we run out of the stuff.

Answer 5

boy you got some real doosies here
Motorcycle oil is a different viscosity? WTF?
ahh 10/40 is 10/40
weights are different? What does that mean?
They don't make their own oil? Yes, but maybe they do research on what goes into the base stocks
What the F is a wet sump clutch?


motorcycle oils have more anti foaming agents in them. As well as many other specific additives. The oil is getting whipped by the gearbox. Foaming is not a good thing.
Castrol act evo is 3 dollars a quart spend the money

Answer 6

The wet clutch is a big issue. No car oil stocked at chain stores will be compatible. The diesel oils where compatible until this year, they changed it for the new model emissions. Unless you are willing to do alot of oil research your best off sticking with oil made for motorcycles.

Answer 7

Motorcycle oil and automobile oil are different weights however you dont have to get the oil at the dealer. You can get the oil at any auto parts store. Just make sure you get the same weight oil....

Answer 8

Not sure if all bikes are like this, but the ones I've ridden all use the oil for the engine and transmission. Bikes have a clutch that needs special additives that car oil probably doesn't have.

Answer 9

I buy Castrol motorcycle oil for my bike at a local auto parts store. ~$3 a quart.

Answer 10

Scam
Motorcycle manufacturers don't have their own oil refineries.
Someone else makes the oil and motorcycle manufactures put their name on the bottle.
http://www.xs11.com/stories/mcnoil94.htm
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