Have you ever wondered if it’s true that motorcycle oils differ from car engine oils?

Every motorcycle dealer will guarantee you that motorcycle oils differ from car engine oils, and that using general automotive engine oil in your favourite motorcycle will all but destroy it. And have you ever wondered if these claims are true, but been too scared not to buy the genuine motorcycle engine oil for your 4 stroke screamer?

Motorcycle oils differ from car engine oils in several ways.

One would imagine that because motorcycle engines rev so high that this would have something to do with the fact that motorcycle oils differ from car engine oils. But, although it does play a role, there are other more pressing issues.

In order to achieve any specific performance/specification any oil is blended using a recognised additive package that is known to meet the requirements. This is particularly so when it comes to motorcycle oils.

A motorcycle engine oil not only has to lubricate, but also has the seemingly impossible task of “not lubricating” the friction clutch in the transmission. Herein lies one of the core ways in which motorcycle oils differ from car engine oils. Motorcycle motor oil contains an extra additive for wet clutch compatibility. This oil has meets the JASO MA and MA2 specifications.

Without this additive the high power output of the modern motorcycle would quite likely result in clutch-slip, which would ultimately lead to clutch failure.

The other area where motorcycle oils differ from car engine oils is that the “engine oil” also has to act as a gear oil. Now although the loading on motorcycle gears are usually substantially lower than that placed on automotive gear sets, due to the significantly lower torque output of a motorcycle engine, the oil is still exposed to higher shear forces than those that would normally be found in an engine.

Fortunately synthetic lubricants have excellent anti-shear properties, and perform admirably under these conditions. This is why most OEM specified 4 stroke motorcycle motor oils, are full synthetic. Not only do synthetic oils have superior shear properties, but they also don’t oxidise as quickly as regular motor oil, and they are more stable at higher operating temperatures – such as commonly found in motorcycle engines.

Does the fact that motorcycle oils differ from car engine oils necessarily make them more expensive?

Obviously the fact that the additive package may contain an extra additive to prevent the clutch from slipping would add cost, but one must make sure you’re comparing apples with apples. Don’t compare a fully synthetic motorcycle oil with a crude based car engine oil and draw the conclusion motorcycle oils are expensive. You must compare similar oils.

Quality oil manufacturers, such as Habot Synthetic Lubricants, understand that motorcycle oils differ from car engine oils and that’s why we carry a comprehensive range of quality 2 stroke and 4 stroke motorcycle engine oils.