Engine oil

[VNA]

For me , there's never been any argument that car and motorcycle oils are, and need to be, different. I'm not so cynical that I disbelieve everything the oil companies say. I also wouldn't discount claims of improved fuel consumption and increased power output totally. But as Slaninar says, those benefits may be minimal. The oil companies make vast profits as we all know, but they also stand to lose a great deal if found to be making false claims.

Going by the specs what we are putting in our bikes is pretty basic oil, long ago considered obsolete in the car manufacturing world.

Oil companies are notorious for making false claims, not to mention many other nasty habits that many of em have.  It's pretty much in their interest to confuse you anyway.

Did somebody say Turbo Charger?

Well it's becoming increasingly hard to buy a car that doesnae have one.  As I said earlier have a look at the specs for the latest small capacity petrol engines that some of the big cars firms are now producing.  They are pretty impressive engines!

Think also what a car has got to do.  A bike engine has a far easier job at the end of the day.  Look at the torque figures that many modern cars are now producing.  And yes consider that there is a turbo in there along with far tighter emission standards and that car companies are chasing 24mnth 30,000 mile service intervals now.

But of course just becuase your average car oil is far more sophisticated than your average motorcycle oil does not mean it will be good for your bike. 

And if you want to start another thread that will generate similar amounts of general bull, try something like - will I get more power and better mileage running my Fazer on 98RON fuel?  (before you do the answer is no and no.)

At the end of the day, semi-synth is fine, check the spec in your bike manual, buy a tin of oil quoting that spec and to be on the safe side make sure it has a picture of a bike on the front of it.

I'd would suggest for new or low mileage bikes you avoid fully synthetic oil for a good while, as there is a small risk you polish the bores and end up with piston rings that won't scrub in.  (some may say that this is another internet myth - I dunno) 

Now if you are determined to beat the oil companies, and save a few bob, with a bit of research you may well come up with something better and cheaper.