HONDA replies to scooter oil question

[Stig / Major Tom]

Bit of back-story here: Dealer used 10W-40 semi-synthetic oil in his scooter. Manual advises 10W-30. Owner contacted HONDA,UK.

I find what HONDA has to say about semi-synthetic oil being preferable for "motorcycle engines" , rather than fully synthetic, to be quite interesting~!



Sure - no one reports a blown engine while using fully synthetic oil......for zillions of miles and in dozens of powerful what-evers.
But if semi-synthetic is better, for any reason, why not use it?- I'm thinking.
It's probably also less expensive.
Stig

[monkeybongos]

"with motorcycles the oil actually lubricates not only the engine but other assemblies connected to it as well, not all of which are compatible with fully synthetic oils"

Think it has to do with a wet clutch that many motorcycles have, but most (if not all) scooters do not.
Sounds like Honda is referring to the Forza as a motorcycle.  Maybe it has a wet clutch, or maybe in
the UK scooters are called motorcycles?

[Stig / Major Tom]

No, that little Forza 125 does not have a wet clutch (nor does the 300)
And Honda's reply was specific to a scooter question.
Interesting, eh?
For the same, or better, price....I know what I'll be using from now on.
Stig

[AylmerFreerider]

In the owners manual for my Super 8 50R is states different viscosity based on the temperature. The colder the less it asks for.  Maybe for cold starts and such.
I generally grab a 4 stroke specific oil(non-synthetic) for mine.  I don't get a lot of recreational riding on it and use it mostly for commuting. 

[Stig / Major Tom]

In the owners manual for my Super 8 50R is states different viscosity based on the temperature. The colder the less it asks for.  Maybe for cold starts and such.
I generally grab a 4 stroke specific oil(non-synthetic) for mine.  I don't get a lot of recreational riding on it and use it mostly for commuting. 

Yeah, your manual asks that the first number should always be low for cold starts - but the second number can be much higher for engine protection while engine is hot. Same for all manuals, I expect.

Stig

[Tromper]

Think I'm missing a link here or something.
Is there an article that this discussion is based on?

[Stig / Major Tom]

Think I'm missing a link here or something.
Is there an article that this discussion is based on?

The first post has a letter from HONDA,U.K. attached to it.
Stig

[Tromper]

Ah I see it on tapatalk, must've been picked off by my security software.

A truly awesome reply with minimal meaningful content.

Personally I avoid semi-synths simply cuz there's no real standard that I'm aware of stating how much synthetic is in there, & whether it's a true synthetic, Group IV or V, or if it's a heavily refined dino/Group III "Synthetic", which would bring up questions regarding the actual base is.

The first post has a letter from HONDA,U.K. attached to it.
Stig