We're used to hearing about how mechanics love to rip off customers by making up parts they've never heard of or grossly overcharging for easy jobs. So it may make sense if you raised an eyebrow or two after learning about the differences in pricing between car and motorcycle oil. And you may be wondering if you really need to buy the more expensive stuff. After all, they look pretty similar, they're both designated as oil and they both smell the same. We'll give you the information about the differences and similarities you need so you can make sure you're buying the right oil.
Holy Upcharge, Batman!
Motorcycle oil helps the transmission stay lubricated and at a reasonable temperature, and it comes in synthetic and petroleum varieties.Because it's both necessary and specific to the niche group of people who have motorcycles, it means that dealerships would appear to make some money when they sell it. In fact, synthetic motorcycle oil can run you 180% more than car oil! So it may have you wondering, is it really that much better? The truth is that most people don't want to play the game of experimenting and risk damaging the proverbial love of their life.
Marketing and Beyond
It is to both dealers and motorcycle oil companies benefit to continue to claim that you would be making a very big mistake by using car oil. This claim actually may hold water, as independent testing has shown that motorcycles do have more demanding needs than cars do when it comes to the oil. Car engine oil is meant to limit the amount of friction between the parts, and provide fuel efficiency, while motorcycle oil needs to balance the friction to ensure the clutch works properly. (When it comes to friction, a motorcycle oil would not help a regular passenger car regulate the friction as well as car oil can.) The clutch needs to stay wet from the oil in order to deliver power from the engine to the drivetrain. The major claim that motorcycle oil will help keep the motorcycle going far longer than regular oil will. Due to the higher temperature of the engine, you'll need a more stable polymer that can only be found in motorcycle oil. Shear stability refers to the retention of viscosity in an oil, and it's considered to be of a much higher grade than car engine oil. The oil needs to keep both the gearbox and engine lubricated, so it's especially necessary to choose the right oil — one that won't hinder the performance or potentially cause your bike to irreparably break down.
Making Decisions
It's true that motorcycles do have specific needs, but it's also true that newer vehicles resemble motorcycles more than you think. While the biggest claim is that the viscosity will remain in the oil for longer, there has been testing done to show that the newer synthetic oils can satisfy those high demands. The fact of the matter is that a decade ago, motorcycles likely were better off with oil that was designed in mind for a two-wheeled, powerful and fast ride. But synthetic oil has gotten so much better over the years that it won't necessarily harm your motorcycle if you choose to use car engine oil. It's clear that you need to be careful what type of oil you're buying exactly, because there are types out there that may actively hurt your experience. So it may make the most about of sense to talk to someone who knows, and then do your own research as well.
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