Mobil1 full synthetic automotive oil..will my clutch be okay?

[caldercay]

Wait a minite guys. The oil that owner said was for cars only. Motor oil on the bottle it doesn't mean for motorcycle. You have to buy mobil 1 motorcycle 10W-40 full synthetic (picture below). Be careful!

This product meets or exceeds the requirements of:

API SN

JASO MA2

JASO MA

Found here

Mobil 1 Racing™ 4T 10W-40 motorcycle oil | Mobil™

Mobil 1 Racing™ 4T 10W-40 synthetic motorcycle oil offers high-performance advantages beyond conventional motorcycle oils or similar viscosities.

www.mobil.com

 

[drrod]

motorcycle oils have additives specifically for motorcycle applications

Can you elaborate? ie. What specific additives that are not in any other oils?

 

[dwalby]

Can you elaborate? ie. What specific additives that are not in other oils.
I guess I am wondering about the economics of an oil company creating a unique product for such a limited market. Can't really see riders in most 3rd world countries shelling out extra money for motorcycle specific oil and that is where the lion's share of motorcycles are.

the fact that m/c share the motor oil with the transmission creates an environment that is not present in cars/trucks. The shearing forces of the gears in the transmission are especially hard on oil molecules, so additives are blended in that help with that. I can't explain the chemistry behind it, but you get the idea. Also, from what I understand about synthetic oils vs. dino oils is the molecular chains in synthetic oils are typically longer and more uniform in length, because they've been engineered that way vs. random lengths occurring in natural oils. Longer molecular chains have better lubrication properties, and as the gears shear the longer chains into a bunch of smaller chains that's what causes the oil to break down. So, a synthetic oil with additives for the motorcycle gearbox are in theory the best protection for your engine and transmission. Another alternative is to use regular automotive oil and just change it more frequently.

 

[drrod]

the fact that m/c share the motor oil with the transmission creates an environment that is not present in cars/trucks. The shearing forces of the gears in the transmission are especially hard on oil molecules, so additives are blended in that help with that. I can't explain the chemistry behind it, but you get the idea. Also, from what I understand about synthetic oils vs. dino oils is the molecular chains in synthetic oils are typically longer and more uniform in length, because they've been engineered that way vs. random lengths occurring in natural oils. Longer molecular chains have better lubrication properties, and as the gears shear the longer chains into a bunch of smaller chains that's what causes the oil to break down. So, a synthetic oil with additives for the motorcycle gearbox are in theory the best protection for your engine and transmission. Another alternative is to use regular automotive oil and just change it more frequently.

That is all well and good and understandable but I was wondering if there were (as you alluded to) additives that are specific only to motorcycle oils. I can't find any references to any but my Googlefu may be weak.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

I can guarantee that if the oil manufacturer states that it meets the JASO standards that it does. There is no leap of faith. There is no way, zip, zilch and nada, that the oil manufacturer legal dept. would ever allow otherwise.

RT

I don't believe that you can make that guarantee. There are stories in the news all the time about companies being caught misrepresenting their products including major corporations.

Many oils state that they meet the JASO MA standard but they do not have the JASO MA certification label on their container. This is because their product is not a JASO MA certified oil. If they are not JASO MA certified you are accepting their word that their product meets that standard. It may well do so, but it may not as well.

 

[rwthomas1]

That is all well and good and understandable but I was wondering if there were (as you alluded to) additives that are specific only to motorcycle oils. I can't find any references to any but my Googlefu may be weak.

The motorcycle specific oil manufacturers will all tout some additive package that is supposed to be better for motorcycle engines, clutches, etc. What's in there? Proprietary I'm sure some with say. The only thing I know for sure that is in motorcycle oils and heavy duty diesel oils and has been REMOVED from automotive oils is ZDDP https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_dithiophosphate Flat tappet engines need this stuff to live, and apparently it makes gears happy as well. Probably the reason its found in motorcycle oils. I know the flat tappet engine owners swear by it.

RT

 

[Al st1100]

Honda in their race engines use oil with moly in it. The theory there is clutches can be replaced but the overall protection on engine parts out weight the clutch issues. There is no number given on the allowable amount of molly a clutch can withstand. The first thing that is asked when someone on the site questions why is his clutch seem to be slipping is did you use car oil ....... There are some that had used car oil forever on their bikes with out a problem. I use the PQIA site if I find another brand at a better price to make sure it doesn't have much molly. I'm done.

 

[rwthomas1]

I don't believe that you can make that guarantee. There are stories in the news all the time about companies being caught misrepresenting their products including major corporations.

Many oils state that they meet the JASO MA standard but they do not have the JASO MA certification label on their container. This is because their product is not a JASO MA certified oil. If they are not JASO MA certified you are accepting their word that their product meets that standard. It may well do so, but it may not as well.

You do understand that they have to PAY to be JASO certified? Why would they bother when the market is so small? Pointless. With regard to "stories in the news all the time", that is still a very small subset of companies making legitimate products. The upside to putting "meets JASO standards" is very small. The downside is much, much larger. If it didn't they sure wouldn't risk it for the tiny motorcycle market. I'm done arguing, you do you, and I'll carry on.

RT

 

[Daboo]

Shell Rotella T6 5W-40.

If it is good enough for my diesel tractor, it is good enough for my motorcycle.

Chris

 

[Andrew Shadow]

You do understand that they have to PAY to be JASO certified? Why would they bother when the market is so small?

I would suspect that payment is a requirement to be a part of most if not all certification systems. The money for maintaining the standard must come from somewhere.
The reason for bothering is so that the consumer knows that the claim is true, otherwise the claim is unproven marketing. It may be true, but it has not been tested to be true. That is the point of a certification system.

I currently am not using motorcycle specific oil myself, which means I am not using an oil which carries JASO MA certification. I also never suggested that anyone else should only use oil that is JASO MA certified. I was simply stating, in response to the question, that the only guarantee that an oil meets the JASO MA standard is if it is JASO MA certified. Without that certification, it is an uncertified claim regardless of how much faith one has in a given company.

I'm done arguing, you do you, and I'll carry on.

Because there is a difference of opinion does not mean that the differing perspectives need to somehow be argumentative. Contributing what we have learned from research on a subject and exchanging that information with others helps further our collective knowledge to the benefit of all of us. Just maybe the different perspective that I posted was an honest contribution to the discussion and I wasn't being antagonistic, which was the case.

 

[MaxPete]

....and this is why I normally avoid these threads.......

 

[Sadlsor]

....and this is why I normally avoid these threads.......

Coward.

 

[caldercay]

Shell Rotella T6 5W-40

+1

 

[CajunRider]

Shell Rotella T6 5W-40.

+1

Or ... ... ...
BMW / Moto Guzzi / Ducati, with a dry clutch...

 

[red one]

Has anyone wondered what happened to the OP Honda? Seems like he would let us know what he decided to do..

 

[Sidewise]

My old 1970s Yamaha XS650s can use the "thicker" 20W50 during the hot summer months for example.

If you remember Yamalube 20W40 was the recommended oil that suddenly disappeared from shelves. I currently use Castrol 20W50
year round in my '77XS650D. Here's to the good old days presynthetic.

 

[Kevcules]

I would rather have my head stapled to the floor than participate in an oil thread.

LOL.....I really laughed out loud as I read this!

I agree totally from a few previous posts, that these forums are primarily for discussion, as well as creating a huge resource of information on subjects. Oil threads seem to gather a lot of attention and input. But that's what we're here for!

Subtle back and forth banter is amusing to read sometimes, but for the most part it doesn't help anyone. Say your peace and move on.

There are a lot of very knowledgeable riders here and that's why this site is so helpful.....

So 5W20 it is!

 

[rwthomas1]

I would suspect that payment is a requirement to be a part of most if not all certification systems. The money for maintaining the standard must come from somewhere.
The reason for bothering is so that the consumer knows that the claim is true, otherwise the claim is unproven marketing. It may be true, but it has not been tested to be true. That is the point of a certification system.

I currently am not using motorcycle specific oil myself, which means I am not using an oil which carries JASO MA certification. I also never suggested that anyone else should only use oil that is JASO MA certified. I was simply stating, in response to the question, that the only guarantee that an oil meets the JASO MA standard is if it is JASO MA certified. Without that certification, it is an uncertified claim regardless of how much faith one has in a given company.

Because there is a difference of opinion does not mean that the differing perspectives need to somehow be argumentative. Contributing what we have learned from research on a subject and exchanging that information with others helps further our collective knowledge to the benefit of all of us. Just maybe the different perspective that I posted was an honest contribution to the discussion and I wasn't being antagonistic, which was the case.

Fair enough. I wasn't intending to be antagonistic myself but I can come off as harsh sometimes. You have your opinion, I have mine, I can agree to disagree. It's an oil thread after all....

RT

 

[rwthomas1]

I would rather have my head stapled to the floor than participate in an oil thread.

Swingline, hand staple gun, hammer tacker, or pneumatic? I think I'd opt for the hammer tacker. The side benefit is unconsciousness from the whack, and you miss the thread! Yep, I'm going with hammer tacker....

RT

 

[Walleye]