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Difference between revisions of "What Motor Oil Should You Use?"
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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. | ||
It seems like such a simple question. And perhaps there is a simple answer: Use the motor oil that '''you''' feel meets your needs. | It seems like such a simple question. And perhaps there is a simple answer: Use the motor oil that '''you''' feel meets '''your''' needs. | ||
But how do you decide which motor oil that is? | But how do you decide which motor oil that is? | ||
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The API publishes a [http://new.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/upload/EngineOilGuide2006.pdf pamphlet] explaining the donut. | The API publishes a [http://new.api.org/certifications/engineoil/categories/upload/EngineOilGuide2006.pdf pamphlet] explaining the donut. | ||
''Energy Conserving'' motor oil will increase a vehicle's mileage. However, the common wisdom in the motorcycling community is that the additives used to achieve this higher mileage is detrimental to a wet clutch, which most motorcycles sold in the U.S. have. | |||
There is no objective evidence to support this notion. But, there are plenty of oils that are not rated "Energy Conserving," so it's probably best to err on the side of caution and not use "Energy Conserving" motor oils. Plus, it's mostly a non-issue. The vast majority of such oils are 5W-30 weight, and few if any motorcycles use that low of a weight of oil. | There is no objective evidence to support this notion. But, there are plenty of oils that are not rated "Energy Conserving," so it's probably best to err on the side of caution and not use "Energy Conserving" motor oils. Plus, it's mostly a non-issue. The vast majority of such oils are 5W-30 weight, and few if any motorcycles use that low of a weight of oil. | ||
The | The ''API Service'' is the first letter of the code in the top of the donut. | ||
*"'''S'''" - gasoline service | *"'''S'''" - gasoline service | ||
*"'''C'''" - diesel service | *"'''C'''" - diesel service | ||
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===Motorcycle Oil v. Automotive Oil=== | ===Motorcycle Oil v. Automotive Oil=== | ||
Up until Mobil 1 started marketing a motorcycle-specific motor oil, they would tell you that their automotive motor oils were completely compatible with motorcycles. Now that they offer [http://www.mobil1.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil1_Racing_4T_10W-40.aspx Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40], they no longer state that their automotive motor oil can be used in motorcycles. | |||
Is that all just marketing hype? Maybe, maybe not. There is evidence that oil used in motorcycles wears out faster than the same oil used in automobiles. Back in 1994, [http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/ Motorcycle Consumer News] published some results from test conducted by John Woolum. Those tests showed, among other things, that motor oils used in motorcycles wear out faster than in cars. (A quick Google search will show a number of on-line copies of the article--they probably violate MCN's copyright, so we won't link directly to any of them.) | |||
At the time, the results also showed no real difference between motorcycle-specific motor oils and automotive motor oils. But, that was 1994. Oil technology, motorcycle technology, and automotive technology have advanced since then. | |||
Some motorcycle makers are now also specifying the JASO's MA grade motor oil. (JASO specifications are determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, also known as the [http://www.jsae.or.jp/index_e.php JSAE].) The MA and MB grades are motorcycle-specific. | |||
If the owner's manual of your motorcycle specifies JASO MA or MB grade oil, your best bet is to use just that. If it doesn't, then it is unclear whether or not you need to use a motorcycle-specific motor oil. There are a lot of people in the U.S. who don't, and have no reported ill-effects from using an automotive oil that meets the grade and weight specified in their owner's manual. | |||
(Note:As of March, 2007, Yamaha's [http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/apparel/apsubcontaineritems/3/121/all/1/detail.aspx Yamalube motor oil] wasn't certified to either JASO grade. This is not mean to imply a problem with Yamaha, or Yamalube products, but rather as an example that even the most reputable motorcycle-specific motor oils are not necessarily certified to JASO grades. Indeed, as of March, 2007, Mobil 1's four-stroke motorcycle-specific oils are not certified to a JASO grade.[http://www.mobil1.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAUSE2PVLMOMobil1_Motorcycle_Oils.asp]) | |||
===OEM Oil=== | ===OEM 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. | |||
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 additinal cost? That's up to you. | |||
==Motor Oil Analysis== | |||
==Vast Motor Oil Conspiracy== | ==Vast Motor Oil Conspiracy== | ||