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What Motor Oil Should You Use? (edit)
Revision as of 22:59, 26 November 2010
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[[Image:Lucas-gusher.jpg|right|200px]]<!-- Yes, I have an odd sense of humor --> | |||
Never has there been an issue as hotly debated as what motor oil to use in a motorcycle. Forget helmet use, forget brand-loyalty, forget counter-steering. If you want to see an inflammed ruckus with much YELLING and many exclamation points!!!!!! ask about motor oil in a motorcycle forum. | Never has there been an issue as hotly debated as what motor oil to use in a motorcycle. Forget helmet use, forget brand-loyalty, forget counter-steering. If you want to see an inflammed ruckus with much YELLING and many exclamation points!!!!!! ask about motor oil in a motorcycle forum. | ||
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But how do you decide which motor oil that is? | But how do you decide which motor oil that is? | ||
==Research== | ==Research== | ||
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* [http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html Synthetic Oil Life Study] - a detailed study of the longevity of synthetic motor oils in an automotive application. | * [http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html Synthetic Oil Life Study] - a detailed study of the longevity of synthetic motor oils in an automotive application. | ||
*[http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ Blackstone Labs] - one of many places offering motor oil analysis, Blackstone's website gives a good explanation of what information you get from motor oil analysis, and how you can use it. | *[http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ Blackstone Labs] - one of many places offering motor oil analysis, Blackstone's website gives a good explanation of what information you get from motor oil analysis, and how you can use it. | ||
==Warranties== | |||
A quick note on warranties: | |||
In the U.S., under the [http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/warranty.htm#Magnuson-Moss Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act], you are not required to use OEM products nor have service done by an factory-authorized service center in order to maintain the warranty on your motorcycle. | |||
You are required, however, to have records demostrating that the service required in the owner's manual was performed, and that motor oil meeting the requirements in the owner's manual was used. | |||
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===SAE Weight=== | ===SAE Weight=== | ||
The API donut also tells you the SAE weight of the motor oil. The "weight" of a motor oil is essentially its viscosity, or how "thick" it is. 30-weight oil is less viscous than 40-weight oil. | The API donut also tells you the SAE weight of the motor oil. The "weight" of a motor oil is essentially its [[viscosity]], or how "thick" it is. 30-weight oil is less viscous than 40-weight oil. | ||
In multi-weight oils, such as 10W-40, the first number is the oil's "weight" at low temperatures, and the second number is the oil's "weight" at high temperatures. Multi-weight oils have mostly displaced single-weight oils in the market place because they give better lubrication at start-up, especially in cold weather, than single-weights, and yet give the same protection at higher, operating temperatures. | In multi-weight oils, such as 10W-40, the first number is the oil's "weight" at low temperatures, and the second number is the oil's "weight" at high temperatures. Multi-weight oils have mostly displaced single-weight oils in the market place because they give better lubrication at start-up, especially in cold weather, than single-weights, and yet give the same protection at higher, operating temperatures. | ||
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Honda does not own an oil refinery. Nor does Harley-Davidson, BMW, or any of the other motorcycle manufactures. The motor oil sold under their brand names is produced by an oil company, which makes lots of motor oil. | Honda does not own an oil refinery. Nor does Harley-Davidson, BMW, or any of the other motorcycle manufactures. The motor oil sold under their brand names is produced by an oil company, which makes lots of motor oil. | ||
Considering the volume of oil that is sold as OEM, it's reasonable to assume that the oil in OEM bottles, is the same as the oil sold in other bottles. It would be cost prohibitive to develop, manufacture and package a motor oil formulation to be used exclusively as an OEM motor oil. | Considering the volume of oil that is sold as OEM, it's reasonable to assume that the oil in OEM bottles, is the same as the oil sold in other bottles. It would be cost prohibitive to develop, manufacture and package a motor oil formulation to be used exclusively as an OEM motor oil. | ||
So, OEM motor oils are no better and no worse than other motor oils available on the market. The advantage of OEM motor oils is that you can be confident they are appropriate for your motorcycle. You can bet your bottom dollar that Honda, for example, won't be selling a Honda motorcycle motor oil that damages Honda motorcycles. | So, OEM motor oils are no better and no worse than other motor oils available on the market. The advantage of OEM motor oils is that you can be confident they are appropriate for your motorcycle. You can bet your bottom dollar that Honda, for example, won't be selling a Honda motorcycle motor oil that damages Honda motorcycles. | ||
On the other hand, OEM motor oils tend to be more expensive. Does eliminating the guess-work in selecting a motor oil justify the | On the other hand, OEM motor oils tend to be more expensive. Does eliminating the guess-work in selecting a motor oil justify the additional cost? That's up to you. | ||
==Motor Oil Analysis== | ==Motor Oil Analysis== | ||
How do you really know if you're changing the motor oil in your motorcycle too often, or not often enough? How can you tell if the oil you're using is adequate? You can get valuable information to help answer those questions with used motor oil analysis. | How do you really know if you're changing the motor oil in your motorcycle too often, or not often enough? How can you tell if the oil you're using is adequate? You can get valuable information to help answer those questions with used motor oil analysis. | ||
Oil analysis is available from heavy machinery dealerships (such as [ http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=40700&x=7 Caterpillar]) or from any number of labs which can be found on-line and to which you can mail a sample. | Oil analysis is available from heavy machinery dealerships (such as [http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=40700&x=7 Caterpillar]) or from any number of labs which can be found on-line and to which you can mail a sample. | ||
The company you use should be able to help you interpret the results you get from your analysis. There are various tests that tell you different things: | The company you use should be able to help you interpret the results you get from your analysis. There are various tests that tell you different things: | ||
*Trace metals - indicates how an engine is internally wearing. Most helpful when repeated test are done. | *Trace metals - indicates how an engine is internally wearing. Most helpful when repeated test are done. | ||
*Particulate - indicates how well the oil filter is performing | *Particulate - indicates how well the oil filter is performing | ||
*Fuel & glycol - can indicate a leaking head gasket or worn rings | *Fuel & glycol - can indicate a leaking [[head gasket]] or worn rings | ||
*TBN (Total Base Number) - indicates how well the additive package is holding up. Helps determine if the motor oil is being used for too long, or could be used longer. | *TBN (Total Base Number) - indicates how well the additive package is holding up. Helps determine if the motor oil is being used for too long, or could be used longer. | ||
*Viscosity - indicates how well the oil is holding up. Helps determine if the motor oil is being used for too long, or could be used longer. | *Viscosity - indicates how well the oil is holding up. Helps determine if the motor oil is being used for too long, or could be used longer. | ||
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==Vast Motor Oil Conspiracy== | ==Vast Motor Oil Conspiracy== | ||
Choosing what brand of motor oil to use shouldn't be a stressful process. There is ''not'' a vast motor oil conspiracy working to cause your motorcycle to die an untimely death. Nor is there a conspiracy to keep secret some magic motor oil additive that let's you go 50,000 miles between oil changes, raises your mileage by 40% and increases your horsepower by 10%. | |||
[http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/Competition.html Free markets] work to ensure that all motor oils have similar performance for a similar price. Yes, there are the occasional [http://www.titantruckz.com/kb/index.php?article=46 Flim Flam] companies that sell inferior oil at superior prices, but they don't stay in business for long. You can rest assured that any established brand of oil is comparable to the others, and meets the grades to which it is certified. | |||
The major motor oil companies aren't [http://www.tutor2u.net/economics/content/topics/monopoly/cartels.htm colluding] to keep some amazing technology off the market. There is too much of an economic incentive to bring such an advance to the market for such a conspiracy to survive. (Economist call this the [http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/PrisonersDilemma.html Prisoner's Dilemma].) | |||
There is some difference between the brands of oil. But the differences are at best minor. You may be able to eek out a little more longevity, or a little more horsepower by using one brand over another. But no brand is going to give you huge gains, or cause significant damage. | |||
Use a motor oil that is certified to the service and grade, and is of the weight, specified by your owner's manual, and you will do no harm. Beyond that, do whatever makes you happy. | |||
==External Links== | |||
Most of these links are repetitions of links earlier in this article. They're all gathered here for convenience. | |||
*[http://www.helminc.com/helm/homepage.asp Helm, Inc.] - Sells Honda motorcycle manuals | |||
*[http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html All About Oil] | |||
*[http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/API.html API Services and Grades Summary] | |||
*[http://new.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/index.cfm Official API Services and Grades] | |||
*[http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/oil-life.html Synthetic Oil Life Study] | |||
*[http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ Blackstone Labs] - one of many places offering motor oil analysis | |||
*[http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=40700&x=7 Caterpillar] - also offers motor oil analysis | |||
*[http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/warranty.htm#Magnuson-Moss Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act] | |||
*[http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/ Motorcycle Consumer News] - Like Consumer Reports, but just for motorcycling | |||
*[http://www.jsae.or.jp/index_e.php JSAE] - Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, which sets the JASO specifications | |||
[[Category:Advice]] | |||