The real difference between motorcycle oil and car oil

For some people, changing the oil in your car is like changing the oil in your motorcycle. Simply drain the old oil, install a new oil filter, and pour in the desired amount of new oil and you’re good to go. So when it comes time to change your motorcycle oil, why can’t you just use the same oil you use in your car? Motorcycle oil and car oil look and feel the same, so how could there be a difference between the two?

Auto oil looks pretty attractive at $3 a quarter, but any experienced motorcyclist knows that using auto oil on motorcycles causes serious damage. In motor vehicles, the engine is always separate from the clutch and transmission, so they have separate oils for each. In automotive motor oil, there are more of what are called “friction modifiers” to help decrease the amount of friction on engine components and improve fuel economy. Of course, improving fuel economy has always been the primary goal of the automotive industry, which makes friction modifiers a must for all automotive oils.

These friction modifiers that are added to automotive oils are the ones that cause serious damage when used in motorcycles. Friction modifiers clog the clutch plates in a motorcycle’s transmission, causing serious clutch slippage and disabling the motorcycle. You see, for motorcycles to be as compact as they are, they have to combine their engine and transmission into one housing. This means that everything is lubricated with a single type of oil, including the valves, piston, transmission and clutch.

Motorcycles require very little or no friction modifier to help improve clutch friction and prevent clutch slippage. But to make up for this lack of friction modifiers, motorcycle oils use higher levels of anti-wear additives like ZDDP, also known as phosphorous, to limit engine friction and wear. Since motorcycle oil has added anti-wear additives and is much more lubricating than car oil, you can expect to pay between $9 and $15 per quart.

To some people, both oils look and feel the same, but now you know the facts about each. So the next time you decide to change your motorcycle oil, go straight to your local motorcycle dealer and purchase only high-quality motorcycle oil designed specifically for the type of motorcycle you own. Be sure to change your oil regularly to keep it fresh and clean to ensure long life for your engine, transmission, and clutch.