Why we Should Never Use Car Engine Oil in our Motorcycle Engines
I’m surprised that there are still some motorcyclists who think that using automobile (car) engine oil is okay for their bikes. This is despite all the efforts put in by petroleum companies and magazines in saying that it’s detrimental to do so.
Maybe I should share this short story, and perhaps you could share it with that someone who thinks it’s okay.
I was attending a TTS (tehtarik session) with a group of bikers some years ago. Of course, we, like other bikers, often talk about riding, tyres, spark plugs, suspension, engine lubricant a.k.a. oil.
Then one guy had the bright idea of using a (premium) car oil in his bike. “My engine is a lot smoother now.” And when a popular guy in the group said that he wants to try it, herd mentality took over and manyjumped on the bandwagon.
I was aghast at such an idea, “Guys, you shouldn’t use car engine oil in motorcycle engines. They are different.”
“Firstly,” I continued, “A car’s engine has a separate gearbox and clutch, while bike engines (apart from scooters) share the same oil with the gearbox and clutch.”
“Secondly, and as such, car engine oils are formulated with friction modifiers and consequently, not MA or MA2 wet clutch certified. Motorcycle oils are tougher because they have to withstand the shearing forces of the transmission’s gears, and not cause clutch slip while needing to provide smooth protection to the engine. That’s why they cost more.”
“That smooth feeling you got is because the clutch plates are slipping. It’s especially pronounced when you chop the throttle.”
Instead of pondering on the points I said for just a few seconds at the very least, I was sprayed with words dripping in sarcasm. “All oils are the same lah,” “Of course oil companies say they’re different, because motorcycle engine oil cost more,” “How can you believe what Jews say?”
But worst of all and the most irritating was, “We’ve been riding longer than you, so we know better.”
I ran into one of the members months later. He told me that out of 7 bikes that switched to car engine oil, 3 of them needed to have their clutches replaced. The others were still experiencing clutch slip and they can’t accelerate hard, despite switching back to motorcycle engine oil. I requested that guy to wish them the best of luck.
I’ve stopped riding with that group, by the way.
NOTE:HodakaMotoworld is the exclusive distributor of VROOAM lubricants and products. All motorcycle engine lubricant are specifically formulated for motorcycle engines and JASO MA/MA2 certified.
