Is there a difference in car oil and motorcycle oil?

[cyba888]

Whats the difference between those two even if the weights are the same?

[Rip_Tear]

Wet Clutch and dry clutch... Synthetic and not... basicly they are the same though.

[4TraxRider]

Some synthetic car oils make the clutches slip on bikes and quads.

[Rip_Tear]

Originally posted by 4TraxRider
Some synthetic car oils make the clutches slip on bikes and quads.

Wet clutches... Dry clutches... if you have a dry clutch and put a wet clutch oil in it, it will slip.

[cyba888]

Does the 400EX have a dry clutch? So I guess as long as its 4 stroke motorcycle oil then it should be fine regardless of dry clutch or wet clutch? 4 stroke oil should be dry clutch?

[wilkin250r]

Be extremely careful with automotive oils. Many of them contain friction modifiers. You do NOT want to get any friction modifiers on a wet clutch, they can make the clutch slip, which causes heat, and could burn the clutch.

I know they are more expensive, but you are always safe with a motorcycle oil.

[Quadfather]

Here you go.



http://www.xs11.com/stories/mcnoil94.htm

[ewalker302]

Actually almost no automotive oils have friction modifiers (except synthetics), and are perfectly fine to use.

Synthetic automotive oils, with the exception of mobil red cap does contain friction modifiers.

Spending twice as much for "motorcycle" oil is a waste.

In the service manuals for the 400ex all it calls for is 10w-40 motor oil.

:bandit:

[liltazz]

i used amsoil 10w40 synthetic and the amsoil motorcycle oil and there is a slight difference in performance and oil life. both oils are the same price so i just buy the motorcycle oil $5.50 quart

[ridefastrgetoff]

"Actually almost no automotive oils have friction modifiers (except synthetics), and are perfectly fine to use."

I wasn't aware of this, I thought all automotive engine oils had friction modifiers.

Also, Amsoil 10w-40 automotive engine oil and the Amsoil motorcycle oil (10w-40) should give the same performance; the automotive oil is labeled "Hi-Performance" and according to Amsoil's Tech. Services Dept., neither contains Friction Modifiers.

Rider Support Program
(C.) 918-636-1281
Email: lubes4u@myexcel.com
Web: www.SyntheticsExcel.com

[wilkin250r]

Cool beans. I'm certainly not an expert, I just know that the problem exists. SOME automotive oils contain friction modifiers, and the can ruin your clutch. Now that you are aware of that aspect, you can research for yourself which automotive oils are safe, and which can cause problems.

It sounds like the answer may be as simple as petroleum-based oils are safe, synthetics are not.

[ridefastrgetoff]

I too use Amsoil and it works for me but hey, to each his own. See ya.

[ewalker302]

Well I look at it this way.

We rode wet clutch 4 strokes long & hard before synthetics became popular. & I've never heard of regular motor oil being bad for your bike until I read some discussions on this site. Even some saying they have "felt" a noticable performance difference after switching to synthetics.

As long as you change your oil regularly, save some money & use castrol 10w-40, or havoline, or chevron, or ..................


:bandit:

[MOFO]

Here are some facts... I have been running Mobil 1 in my quad since new (late '99)...NEVER had clutch problems. All of my buddy's with quads have been using Mobil 1 as well...NO clutch problems. Looks like a pretty simple answer to me!

[ridefastrgetoff]

but like I said, many folks are satisfied with what they have and that's great; that's what is so great about our country, we have the right to choose our own medicine. Hope you all have a safe and happy Holiday this year.

[Woodsrider]

I have always used Valvolene VR1 20w-50. Never had a problem. Used it in all my bikes, the VFR the XR and the EX.
Why pay the extra money for a "motorcycle oil", as it is two bucks a quart is a little steep.