Motorcycle engine oil ingredients
There are additional challenges that a lubricating oil must overcome in a motorcycle, including a low volume of oil, high temperatures, high specific power, high average RPM, and so high component stresses. As well as these challenges, as cities across the world look to reduce air pollution, motorcycles are coming under increasing scrutiny, with new regulations adopted to curb emissions.
Product finder
View our motorcycle engine oil additivesFriction modifiers for manual transmission motorcycles
In passenger cars, low viscosity engine oils are used to provide low drag to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. Low viscosity oils have poorer film forming properties and so in passenger cars, friction modifiers are used to reduce metal-on-metal friction and wear.
In a motorcycle, lower viscosity oils are not generally used because the oil must also lubricate the transmission. Transmissions need thicker, more viscous oils with good film forming properties in order to limit gear wear and increase durability.
The “feel” of bike and how the clutch engages is also very important. In the clutch, a high friction environment is desirable to prevent slippage and poor feel. The same engine oil is used to lubricate the clutch and so friction modifiers can negatively affect the clutch friction in a motorcycle, by reducing it too much and causing the clutch to slip. Therefore, friction modifiers are not generally used in wet-clutch motorbikes.
There is a need for friction modifiers that reduce engine drag and increase fuel economy even in a high viscosity engine oil.
Marketing sheet: Perfad 3500 series
Perfad™ 3500 Series Friction Modifiers
Watch the presentation to learn more about global motorcycle emission regulations and an introduction to the Perfad 3500 series, including test data.
Friction test data
Steel/steel friction reduction using MTM: 50% slide roll ratio
JASO T903 Clutch Friction Test on SAE#2 Test Rig
| JASO grade | |
|---|---|
| Premium 15W50 Motorcycle Engine Oil - manufacturer's performance classification |
MA2 |
| Croda Control (JASO T903: 2016) | MA2 |
| + 0.5% Perfad 3570 | MA2 |
| +1% Perfad 3571 | MA2 |
| +1% Perfad 3575 | MA2 |
| +1% Perfad 3576 | MA2 |
Friction data summary
- Significantly reduced steel-steel friction when top-treated into a premium grade 15W50 motorcycle engine oil that has been specifically formulated for wet clutch applications.
- The JASO T903 standard demonstrates that there is no significant loss in friction of the treated oil versus the control condition and maintains the JASO grade.
- Contact us for more information and data in more motorcycle engine oils.
Engine test data
Fuel consumption test results
Max Power and Torque Results
Tested on a 150cc Japanese OEM motorcycle with wet clutch. Rider commented that no clutch slippage was evident with any of the samples
| Sample | Max power/kW | Max torque/ Nm |
| 5W40 MA Engine Oil | 19.39 | 16.66 |
| +0.5% Perfad 3570 | 19.54 (+0.8%) | 16.72 (+0.4%) |
| +1% Perfad 3570 | 19.57(+1.0%) | 16.73 (+0.4%) |
| +0.5% Perfad 3571 | 19.66 (+1.4%) | 16.76 (+0.6%) |
| +1% Perfad 3571 | 19.32 (-0.3%) | 16.77 (+0.6%) |
Engine test data summary
- We tested fuel consumption in a 110cc Honda Wave motorcycle with wet clutch on a rolling road
- The 0W30 MA2 engine oil was top treated with Perfad 3971
- A reduction in fuel consumption of 0.23% was measured
- We demonstrate an increase in power and torque with Perfad 3570 and 3571 in a 150cc Japanese OEM motorcycle with wet clutch
- The 5W40 MA racing oil was top-treated with Perfad 3570 and 3571 at 1% and 0.5% w/w.
Testing solubility of Perfad 3500
In rare cases the product may not be completely soluble, however this can usually be solved by re-formulating the lubricant.
Recommended products
Perfad™ 3570
Perfad 3570 is a polymeric organic friction modifier particularly suited for use in four stroke motorcycle engine oils.
.jpg&mn=energytechnologies&w=768&xr=0&yr=0&xfp=6&yfp=6&hash=A4D5CD7556C454AB5A10B5FDD4AB6A1719C138999FEC74AA)
Perfad™ 3571
Perfad 3571 is a saturated fatty alcohol friction modifier particularly suited for use in four stroke motorcycle engine oils.
Perfad™ 3575
Perfad 3575 is a polymeric organic friction modifier particularly suited for use in four stroke motorcycle engine oils.
Perfad™ 3576
Perfad 3576 is a polymeric organic friction modifier particularly suited for use in four stroke motorcycle engine oils.
Engine oils
High-performance engine oil additives and base oilsDeliver optimum performance for motorcycles, heavy duty diesel engines, passenger cars, electric and marine engines.
Read moreFriction modifiers
Polymeric organic friction modifiersHigh-performing polymeric organic friction modifiers for industrial gear oils, passenger car oils and heavy duty diesel engine oils.
Read more