Why should you use a proper motorcycle oil in your pride and joy, surely all oil meets the spec anyway?
So often the terms ‘oil is oil’ and ‘it all meets the spec’ are bandied about in conversation, both actual and virtually. Forums are awash with opinions on oil and lubrication, motorcycle arenas are especially prone to this and it never ceases to amaze me the utter, misguided, bollox that passes for expert internet opinion in this area. So here is my opinion (and actually, I really am an oil expert!).
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Well, Rock Oil Synthesis XRP is a fully synthetic motorcycle oil developed for racing. XRP has been around for nearly 10 years now with claims that it can ‘increase horse power’, but is this statement actually true and exactly how could it increase BHP?
A 2010 BMW S1000RR being filled with XRP 5w30 just before being run on a Dyno
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What does the JASO MA and JASO MA2 Motorcycle Oil Standard Mean?
In 1998 the Japanese Automotive Standards Organization (or JASO for short) developed a grading system for motorcycle oils.
The grading system measured (among other things) an oils ability to resist clutch friction (or slippage), protection offered against engine wear and pitting in the gear box.
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It’s WAR in the car oil industry…..
…..And how it can ruin your bike engine!
The recession is hitting some industries hard now and some companies will do ANYTHING to sell their products…..
But how does this affect using car oil in a motorcycle engine?
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Differences between 2 stroke premix and injector systems…..
What is a 2T premix system (also known as a Tank Mix system)?
A 2 stroke premix system is where you have to mix the 2 stroke oil and the petrol before you use it (normally in a container or in the fuel tank).
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Why can’t I put cheap as chips car oil in my superbike?
The answer is of course – you can!
I think you will find that cheap car oil will pour into the little hole in the engine as easily as the dearest synthetic motorcycle oil!
But, should you?
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What is synthetic motorcycle oil?
There are basically two types of synthetic base oil used in synthetic motorcycle oils.
The most common is the Group 3 – which are a really a super refined mineral (also called hydrocracked), the commonest being XHVI, which is made by Shell and promoted by them as a synthetic, as they are a very big company, and XHVI is a lot cheaper than a Group 1 (proper) synthetic, most folk go along with them!
The proper Group 1 synthetics are man made blends of PAO’s (polyalphaolefins) and Esters, being specified for stability and lubricity.
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What do the letter and numbers mean on motorcycle oil bottles (e.g. 10w40)?
As well as being defined by their type (e.g. Synthetic, Semi-Synthetic or Mineral), motorcycle engine oil is also defined by it’s thickness (or viscosity). The viscosity rating is normally displayed on the oil container by a series of 2 numbers separated by a letter (e.g. 10w40 or 20w50).
This grade is also known as the SAE grade of the oil (e.g. SAE 10w40). SAE stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers and they are one of the the bodies responsible for publishing the standards that govern Automotive Oils (2 other bodies that grade oils are API, American Petroleum Institute and JASO, Japanese Automotive Standards Organization).
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It seemed like a good idea at the time……….
