Clearing up the myths: Synthetic Oil and Wet Clutches

[ZX6Ray]

There still seems to be some people on this forum that believe using synthetic oil in wet clutches is a bad thing. In other words they think synthetic is more slippery than petroleum oil and thus, causes clutch slippage. An old wive's tale if I ever saw one...


This was taken from AMSOIL's site. I am a proud user of this stuff

"Many people have the perception that since synthetics are more slippery than petroleum oils (which simple don't reduce friction as well), that wet clutch packs in either their automotive automatic transmission or motorcycle transmission will slip when using "super slippery synthetics". AMSOIL Synthetic Oils are no more "slippery" than petroleum oil. AMSOIL Synthetic Oils simply have a more uniform molecular structure which reduces frictional resistance better than the irregular shape and size molecular structure of a petroleum oil.

Look at it this way. Wet sandpaper removes paint as well as dry sandpaper does. The slipperiness of the water does not impede the sandpaper's ability to function. The same applies to the "slipperiness" of synthetic lubes in wet clutches.

If used dry, the sandpaper is soon filled with paint and no longer works- it slips across the surface without grasping the surface. If kept clean and free of paint, it continues to work. The lubricating/cleaning solution used can be water, soap, oil or any other liquid. The liquid's slipperiness does not affect the performance of the sandpaper.

It is simply not an issue. However, just as rinsing the sandpaper keeps it cleaner longer so it functions better longer, so the AMSOIL Synthetic Oils keeps wet clutch plates cleaner longer so they function better.

AMSOIL Synthetic Oils will prevent deposit buildup on clutch plates, therefore keeping the face clean and able to do its job in preventing slippage.

And, since synthetics are superior cooling agents to conventional petroleum lubes, using synthetics will help wet clutches last longer, too.

Petroleum oils have low resistance to heat and allow varnish and glaze to form on clutch plates, which eventually leads to slippage and increased heat generation and eventually failure of the clutch pack.

Also, AMSOIL motorcycle oils are specifically formulated without any friction modifiers for compatibility with wet clutch packs. AMSOIL ATF lubricants are also designed with specific coefficient of friction values to meet the requirements of each and every specification that it not only meets, but far exceeds.

Now you know the facts. The next time your buddy mentions using AMSOIL Synthetic Oils and Wet Clutches as a potential issue, you can explain to him exactly why it is simply not an issue."

I'm not biased towards other oils but in the case of synthetic oils being used in wet clutches I think synthetics are fne to use in wet clutches. Remember synthetics are no more slippery than petroleum oils. They are just more uniform in various temperature ranges than petroleum oils are, which, in turn, offers more protection.

[SLIDER]

very nice... but that doesn't neccessarily go for all synthetics since most oil companies have different formulas. obviously AMSOIL can be trusted. There have been some oils that have caused slippage. Not to blame the oil, it could have very well been the bike. The combo of the 2 could have made things worse. My point is, every bike is different and can react differently to certain oils

[Tenquo]

Not exactly the best analogy using sandpaper.....wet clutches are worse than dry clutches in terms of friction....dry clutches are genrally more compact and/or use weaker srpings but thats got nothing to do with synthetics....i would much rather use the analogy of using animal fat or silicone based lubricant....both might be real slippery but one isnt made for the intended purpose, doesnt last long, degrades easily and has alot of unwanted properties....like making more of a mess.....whilst silicone based lubricant was developed for, lasts longer and stays stable better and generally does the job better......ask your partners....im sure theyll agree :p

anyway the whole synthetic versus mineral oil thing is pretty unbeliveable for me, synthetic oil is just an oil engineered to have characteristics that are as close as economically possible to what we want in an oil.....afterwards if you put an oil intended and engineered for cars and motorcycles with dry clutches or engineered and made by a useless chemist or manufacturer it doesnt matter if it mineral, synthetic or anywhere in between....it will probably suck...

"...(real) motorcycle oils are specifically formulated without any friction modifiers for compatibility with wet clutch packs."

[ZX6Ray]

Originally Posted by SLIDER

very nice... but that doesn't neccessarily go for all synthetics since most oil companies have different formulas. obviously AMSOIL can be trusted. There have been some oils that have caused slippage. Not to blame the oil, it could have very well been the bike. The combo of the 2 could have made things worse. My point is, every bike is different and can react differently to certain oils

So what other oils are trustworthy like AMSOIL?

[SLIDER]

I haven't heard anything bad about Motul, Repsol, or any of the factory brands. I'm throwing in some Motul 300V next oil change. We'll see how it works. Everyone around here seems to favor the motul, even the racers.

[LILBILL303]

I Bought A Gallon Of Pj Oil (bc Its Cheap) And I Havnt Used It Yet/ But Im Most Likely Gonna Buy Somethin Else Bc We All Know You Get What U Pay For

[Joe88ZX10]

I switched my 1988 ZX10 over to full synthetic Mobil 1 MX4T 10W40 .
It previously had Golden Spectro semi-synthetic blend .
I found the shifts became noticeably less "clunky" and smoother and I've had zero problems with clutch slippage when running it up to redline .

[08kwacker10r]

I have used Silkolene ester based synthetic oil for 3 years now in my gsxr 750 track bike and abused the crap out of it and never had an ounce of slippage from the clutch.This past spring I used the new 0w20 Silkolene synthetic and it ran great.Actually had a dyno test to compare it to and it picked up 3 hp with the only difference being the oil.I am planning to use Silkolene in the new 10R once break in is complete.As long as the oil is for wet clutch bikes there should be no clutch slippage unless there is a clutch problem.

[185EZ]

I also switched to Mobil 1 racing 4T. I'm not sure if I would go along just for the fact that racers "favor" a certain brand. Sounds more like advertising and sponsorship, not necessarily that it's the best.