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Motorcycle Oil Gear Performance

A very important function of motorcycle oil is gear performance.

Many motorcycle engines share a common lubricant sump with the transmission, requiring the same oil to lubricate both assemblies. Because engines and transmissions place different demands on lubricants, an oil that provides good engine protection may fail to provide adequate transmission protection. High sliding pressures, shock loading and shearing forces applied by motorcycle transmission gears place a great deal of stress on a lubricant, and it is up to the oil’s viscosity and chemical additives to protect the gears against wear.

The ASTM D-5182 FZG Gear Wear Test is used to determine a lubricant’s gear oil performance. Two hardened steel spur gears are partially immersed in the test lubricant, while temperature is maintained at a constant 194 degrees F and a predetermined load is placedon the pinion gear. The gears are rotated at 1,450 RPM for 21,700 revolutions before being inspected for scuffing.

If the total width of wear on the pinion gear teeth exceeds 20 mm, the test is terminated. If the total width of wear is below 20 mm, additional load is placed on the pinion gear and the test continues for another 21,700 revolutions. Each time an oil passes, it advances to a higher test stage. The highest stage is 13, and results are reported as the highest stage passed by the oil. Wear is indicated for the stage at which the oil failed.

Two separate tests were performed for SAE 40 and SAE 50 oils, and results indicate that 58.3 percent of the SAE 40 oils and 75 percent of the SAE 50 oils passed stage 13. Although Mobil 1 MX4T, Motul 300V Sport and Torco T-4SR tested among the top SAE 40 oils in the Four Ball Wear Test, they tested among the lowest in the FZG Gear Wear Test. In addition, Motul 300V Competition and Torco T-4SR tested among the top SAE 50 oils in the Four Ball Wear Test, but also tested among the lowest in the FZG Gear Wear Test.

As seen in the photos and graphs, both AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCF) and 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV) placed at the top of their respective test groups in the FZG Gear Wear Test. Only AMSOIL MCF and MCV placed at the top of their respective test groups in both the Four Ball Wear Test and the FZG Gear Wear Test, indicating that AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils are the best choice for superior protection of motorcycle engines and transmissions. Order the G-2156 Motorcycle Oil Study to see all of the test results.

See the AMSOIL Motorcycle Products.

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