Motorcycle Oil Study
Four-Ball Wear Test

One of the most important functions of any motor oil is wear protection. Because motorcycle engines operate under more severe operating conditions than automobiles, the ability of a motorcycle oil to deliver adequate wear protection is especially important.

The ASTM D-4172 Four-Ball Wear Test is the standard test used to determine a lubricant's ability to minimize wear in metal-to-metal contact situations. Three steel balls are secured and placed in a triangular pattern within a bath of the test lubricant. With load, speed and temperature kept constant, a fourth ball sits atop the other balls and is rotated and forced into them for one hour. Following the test, the lower three balls are inspected for wear scars at the point of contact. The diameters of the wear scars are measured and the results are reported as an average of the three scars. The lower the average wear scar diameter, the better the wear protection properties of the oil.

For the Four-Ball Wear Test portion of the AMSOIL Motorcycle Oil Study, the loads, speeds and temperatures were maintained at 40 kg, 1800 RPM and 150 degrees C respectively for each oil tested. Two separate tests were performed for SAE 40 and SAE 50 oils.

Click on graph for larger view (Opens New Window)

Results, 4-Ball Wear Test, SAE 40 Group Click Here for larger graph (opens a new window)

Results, 4-Ball Wear Test, SAE 50 Group Click Here for larger graph (opens a new window)

As seen in the graphs, both AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCF) and 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV) exhibited minimal wear scars of 0.40 mm, placing them at the top of their respective test groups. Competing motorcycle oils showed wear scars up to twice as large. The wear protection provided by AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils is second-to-none, allowing motorcycles to perform better, last longer and require less maintenance.

Although zinc has long been considered an excellent anti-wear additive, it is interesting to note that the oils with the highest levels of zinc, Maxima Maxum 4 in the SAE 40 group and Golden Spectro 4 in the SAE 50 group, did not test in the top of their groups. These results indicate that simply formulating an oil with a high zinc level is not sufficient in minimizing wear.

For more information on the AMSOIL Motorcycle Oil Study follow this link:
AMSOIL Motorcycle Oil Study (PDF - opens in a new window)

Gear Wear Protection
How well do the major brands of Motorcycle Oil protect transmission gears? In many motorcycles the same lubricant lubricates transmission gears as well as the internal engine components. Many brands that faired well in the 4 Ball Wear Test did not perform well in the Gear Wear Test!

Rust Protection
Motorcycle Oils must combat the harmful effects caused by condensation in engines and transmissions. For information on how the different brands of Motorcycle Oils performed in the Rust Test follow this link:
Rust Protection - Expected or neglected?

Benefits of the two new AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle oils include:

· Improved Transmission Protection
· Excellent Wet Clutch Performance
· Excellent Corrosion Protection
· Outstanding Heat Resistance
· Robust Additive Levels
· Excellent Value for Cost Effective Performance

The new AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV) is recommended for Harley-Davidson, Buell, Victory, Ducati, BMW, Aprilla and Triumph motorcycles calling for a 15W-50 or 20W-50 viscosity.

The new AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCF) is recommended for Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW, Husqvarna and KTM motorcycles calling for a 10W-40 or 20W-40 viscosity.

Available in quarts, cases, 30 gallon and 55 gallon drums. For more detailed information on these new oils, visit:
AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil and AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil