LASTWORD


Test performance comparison Oxidation Control


350 300 250 200


150 100


Tighter limits to prevent viscosity


increase caused by high-temp oxidation


Lower the


better  Piston Deposit


4.5 4


3.5


2.5 1.5


3 2


0.5


1 0


Higher the


better 70


Higher limits ensure better piston cleanliness under severe conditions


60 50 40 30 20 10 0


TEOST


Lower the


better  


Oil Consumption API SJ


Tighter limits


ensure more robust high-temp deposit control


25 20 15 10 5 0


Lower the


better Tighter NOACK


limit requires use of higher quality base stocks


Figure 1: Test performance comparison between API SJ and API SL.


trol, so providing greater piston cleanli- ness performance. Issues of oxidative oil thickening can be addressed with the use of higher quality base oils, which provide greater oxidative stability, along with performance additives that provide en- hanced levels of oxidative control. It is important these areas are fully considered when selecting the appropri- ate performance level of the motorcycle oil, so addressing the key performance areas for modern hardware. Figure 1 shows the increased perfor- mance benefits when moving from an American Petroleum Institute (API) SJ to SL engine oil classification. Even greater performance benefits exist when moving to higher API performance levels. Several countries such as Indonesia,


Vietnam and Thailand still have signifi- cant sales (around 50 percent of the re- tail market) of API SJ and lower API per- formance levels. API has discontinued licensing engine oils against API SG and SH specifications. These are considered to be obsolete specifications as they may not provide adequate protection against build-up of engine sludge, oxidation or wear for modern hardware requirements. As a result of the move toward more modern hardware and increased per- formance requirements, oil marketers have an opportunity to upgrade the API performance level of the motorcycle oil portfolio they offer to the market to meet


28


API has discontinued licensing engine oils against API SG and SH specifications. These are considered to be obsolete specifications as they may not provide adequate protection against build-up of engine sludge, oxidation or wear for modern motorcycle requirements.


the needs of the latest hardware and of- fer valuable performance benefits to their customers.


In addition to the crankcase perfor- mance, equal importance needs to be given to clutch performance and gear protection. Unlike in passenger vehicles, motorcycle oils must deliver performance and protection not just to the engine, but equally to the clutch and gears. Clutch boosters are required to deliver consis- tent clutch performance during the oil


drain interval. This can provide a better rider experience, while gear boosters are needed to protect against gear pitting and scuffing, extending hardware life. As a result, dedicated additive chem-


istry is required to meet the demands of the unique design and operating severity that modern motorcycle hardware de- signs require.


Our View Many of the key motorcycle markets have implemented tighter


API SL


emission


norms, driving hardware changes that in- crease operational severity for lubricants. The industry needs to move up to high-


er performance motorcycle oils and it is anticipated that the next JASO upgrade may align the industry specification bet- ter with the current licensable API specs. Oil marketers need to ensure their mo-


torcycle oil portfolio is in line with the evolution of the hardware toward higher power density and a need for higher per- formance oils. Additionally, they should ensure the additive chemistry


choose is a dedicated motorcycle additive supported by robust test data results that demonstrate the appropriate clutch and gear performance is being delivered to both the motorcycle and ultimately the end user.


.


For more information on motorcycle engine oils, contact your Lubrizol representative.


LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | March 2023


they





% viscosity increase (max)


Merit Rating


Deposit (mg) max


Evaporative loss (%), max


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