what's diference Motorcycle engine oil and car oil ?

W

Windblazer

Member
Hi guys, it's time to change the engine oil, usually I used 1o/40 synthetic motorcycle 4stroke in past, but the price keeps rising every year, so I'm considering to use 10/40 synthetic car oil, will it effect cluch? what you think experts? Thanks in advance all who contrubute. :razz:
 
as long as it doesn't have an "Energy Conserving" label on it you should be good as it will destroy your wet clutch.
Also it should state JASO-MO (Or something along those lines).
 
For some cheap synth stuff you can run Rotella T6. It's your motorcycle, don't cheap out on oil.

-Jamie M.
 
car oil is designed for least friction, while motorcycle oil allows some friction if not the clutch would often not catch and you could end up in an accident as a result... >>>>>>>>>USE MOTORCYCLE OIL<<<<<<<<<
jeffjones said:
as long as it doesn't have an "Energy Conserving" label on it you should be good as it will destroy your wet clutch.
Also it should state JASO-MO (Or something along those lines).
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The additive packages can be different. Most bike engines have a wet clutch to deal with; car engines don't have such a thing; this requires NOT having certain friction-reducing additives (typically found in the above-mentioned "energy conserving" oils - 30-weight and below). Most bike engines have flat-tappet valve lifters, and while some car engines have that, a good many use roller cam followers - flat-tappet lifters require certain additives that roller followers don't need.

JASO-MA is a test procedure for wet clutches ... newer versions of Rotella T6 state compliance with that standard. Most other car oils haven't bothered. It is 5w40 synthetic. T6 is about $7 - $8 per litre. I've used it for years without issues.
 
All that's stated above, plus JASO motorcycle type oils have additional limits on sulfated ash content and foaming.
 
I have never put motorcycle oil in my bikes, when i worked at a bike dealer we just put good ol castrol from a barrel.

Come to think of it, i have never had to replace a clutch in any of my bikes.
Just checked the valve clearance on my gsxr 60k, cams are perfect.

But im a cheap prick!

Regardless of your choice, regular oil/filter changes is your friend.

Gerry
 
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As previously started the Rotella is good to use and can be found occasionally on sale at CT or wherever.

I personally use Mobil1 MX4T and I wait till it's on sale at CT or Wal-Mart (usually Wal-Mart) before I purchase.
 
In some cases, it is possible to use oils designed for cars in motorcycle engines. This is specifically for the case where the bike has a dry single-plate clutch and separate sumps for engine oil and transmission oils, as would be the case for BMW and Moto Guzzi (H-D I think also). The oil in the engine sump lubricates only the engine parts so does not need JASO MA rating. The oil viscosity is chosen for the engine design and not a combination of engine and drivetrain design, meaning that the engine oil is not also purposed with lubricating the wet multi-plate clutch and drivetrain gears.

Personally I use Mobil-1 synth 20W50 in my liquid-cooled BMW and Castrol Edge synth 10W60 in my air-cooled Moto Guzzi. Both are oils formulated for automobile engines.
 
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I think we need to do a test on this and 'mythbuster' it... we need sponsors and some kind of media- this would make a great article for sure... any thoughts?
 
robmack said:
In some cases, it is possible to use oils designed for cars in motorcycle engines. This is specifically for the case where the bike has a dry single-plate clutch and separate sumps for engine oil and transmission oils, as would be the case for BMW and Moto Guzzi (H-D I think also). The oil in the engine sump lubricates only the engine parts so does not need JASO MA rating. The oil viscosity is chosen for the engine design and not a combination of engine and drivetrain design, meaning that the engine oil is not also purposed with lubricating the wet multi-plate clutch and drivetrain gears.

Personally I use Mobil-1 synth 20W50 in my liquid-cooled BMW and Castrol Edge synth 10W60 in my air-cooled Moto Guzzi. Both are oils formulated for automobile engines.
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Yep. On my bike at least the tranny oil and the engine oil are separate systems as in a car, and the clutch is a dry plate. The guy I got my bike from was an old mechanic with decades of experience. He used automotive 20w50 and so do I. The bike's run fine for the past 7 years.

For the tranny oil though, I used automotive in the first couple of years, but wasn't happy (my model of bike is known for rough shifting and sometimes dropped a gear going into second!). I laid out the cash for some really nice motorbike-specific stuff and I noticed a definite improvement.
 
Man what a noob question OP. Its like asking whats the difference between Sunflower oil and Olive oil!

Answer: One is made from motorcycles and one is made from cars.
 
if you're going to run synthetic car oil, you'd be better off running regular motorcycle oil...
Its about 5 bucks a L at CT...
 
I think if the choice is going to be playing on your mind, its a easy decision.

One less thing to worry about

Gerry
 
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gerry said:
I have never put motorcycle oil in my bikes, when i worked at a bike dealer we just put good ol castrol from a barrel.

Come to think of it, i have never had to replace a clutch in any of my bikes.
Just checked the valve clearance on my gsxr 60k, cams are perfect.

But im a cheap prick!

Regardless of your choice, regular oil/filter changes is your friend.

Gerry
Click to expand...

i also have one bike that i only used castrol gx and never had no issues, and i know another guy that does and even a mechanic. having said that my other bike i only use "motorcycle oil" i think regular changes and filters are the key.
 
Just changed my oil today to motul synthetic. I'm not sure what was in there before but it wasn't syn. What a freakin difference. Engine is running crisper and shifting is far smoother can hear and feel the difference. I used oil made from motorcycles not cars BTW
 
LoneRonin said:
if you're going to run synthetic car oil, you'd be better off running regular motorcycle oil...
Its about 5 bucks a L at CT...
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This is the trick.
#1 - In most cases, motorcyle oil in not just engine oil but it is also your gearbox oil. it is supposed to have additives for the extreme pressures that the oil sees as the gears grind together.
#2 - with the frequency that most motorcyclists change their oil the synthetic is a waste of money. If you change oil every 8,000 kms then it is worth it but most people do it every 3 - 5000 kms so the $5 motorcycle oil at crappy tire is good enough.
 
Green Machine said:
Just changed my oil today to motul synthetic. I'm not sure what was in there before but it wasn't syn. What a freakin difference. Engine is running crisper and shifting is far smoother can hear and feel the difference. I used oil made from motorcycles not cars BTW
Click to expand...

Fresh oil is good, regardless of whether it is synthetic or not.
 
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