Using car oil in my bike.

[Gazz]

Just a quick question, would it be ok to use this type of oil in my bike?

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/p296x100/11873491_10153507142387768_7282011135815983385_n.jpg?oh=ec96b51d23b0e4ee58c708bc6ff7c95a&oe=567D4018

I usually use this stuff for servicing the car, but I've heard that you can use some car oils on bikes.

The manuals for my bike states the following:
"Use SAE 10W/40 viscosity of oil under APIclassification of SF or SG, SH."


Also, what do the codes SF, SG and SH mean?

[Kickstart]

Hi

The SF, SG and SH ratings are for spark ignition engines, there are equivalent ratings for diesel oils. The second letter is the rating, with the higher letter being a later rating.

Diesel oils tend to have higher detergent levels, and I know quite a lot of people do use it

Personally used car oil in bikes loads of times without problems, but never used that oil.

All the best

K
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[MCN]

There is a massive school of thought on motor oils in bikes.
The issue is due to some bike engines, clutch and gearbox use a common oil reservoir.
Some motor oils have additives which can include friction modifiers to help reduce friction between the moving parts of the engine.
These additives 'can' affect the clutch by bonding to the plates.
That could cause slip.

BUUUUUT... there is a lot of disagreement on this subject and some will use any oil in anything.

That is poor maintenance as doing so can involve some risk since there is very limited evidence that it can or cannot do harm.

I know for fact multigrade oil cannot be used in certain transmissions and brake systems of certain vehicles as the modifiers will cause harm.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Northern Monkey]

If it meets the spec that your bike needs then it can be used. I'd use it in any bike that needed 10w40 oil
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Fisty: after polishing the tank with the glistenng beads of sweat from my full hot scrotum, I filled the headrace bearings with 10cc of my manmilk

[BanditsHigh]

Halfords 10/40 in the green bottle ... GSX1400, original clutch ... mildly breathed on engine (125RWBHP/98.5 ft/lb torque) ... no slip at all and now over 100,000 miles

All the best ... Barry

[wr6133]

[temeluchus]

The product data sheet specifically states chevron supreme 10w40 is suitable for motorcycles.

https://alexisoil.com/sites/default/files/220002-220155-220059-220060-220135-220013-220011-supreme-mo-30-40-10w30-10w40-20w50-pds_1.pdf
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Taught2BCauti...]

My own preference is not to use car engine oil in a motorcycle engine - mainly because motorbike oil needs to lubricate the gearbox aswell, and most car engine oils are not recommended for this, due to the higher pressures that are generated between mating gear surfaces.

There are a few exceptions of course, but generally, gearboxes on cars need a different oil to the engine, but motorbikes need something that suits both engine and gearbox, and doesnt cause the clutch to slip or de-laminate.

If in doubt, stick to the manufacturer's guidelines.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[arry]

[MCN]

[Rogerborg]

Escalated-quickly-gunna-b-good, etc.

[MCN]

[Taught2BCauti...]

[Rogerborg]

Your 'dero would have been designed in the mid to late 1990s. It's entirely possible the engine design is even older.

Does Honda-san mandate motorcycle specific oil for it? I'd be surprised.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Beehive Bedlam]

Armchair experts are in one boat or the other when it comes to bike specific oil or car oil.

For reference Yamaha say nothing about using 'motorcycle' oil for the FZS 600 any 10/30 or 10/40 oil that meets the SL or CF spec will do just remember to avoid oil that has friction reducing additives as your clutch is likely to slip.

Personally I buy a couple of castrol gtx 4L bottles when it is on offer at Asda never had a problem on two bikes in over 80,000 miles.

[MCN]

[Beehive Bedlam]

[MCN]

[MCN]

[MCN]

Dear MsGsI,

You commented that you use Castrol GTX oil in your bike.
Castrol GTX, as I stated, contains friction modifiers to prevent metal sticking to metal. It was designed for use in engines.
As I correctly stated in many motorcycles the clutch uses the same oil as the engine and gearbox. They also use metal to metal clutch mechanisms.
Friction modifiers in that environment can affect the function of the clutch. (Even if the clutch uses an organic material the friction modifiers can affect that too.)

Rather than flame, disagree et cetera, just google the facts that are splattered all of the Internet or library.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Taught2BCauti...]

[MCN]

[wr6133]

[MCN]

[wr6133]