Guys, I just want to be clear about the question I asked above. It was
not a smart-@$$ remark … although, coming from me, that’s not outside the realm of possibility.
In many products, I have seen the same old, same old being packaged for a specialty application … at triple the price.
On the other hand, I’ve seen honest-to-goodness specialty products developed and marketed for specialty applications. As was said before, there's no substitute for being an informed consumer. And, as
Bob detailed, I feel that the use of the oil by a gearbox puts very different demands on it and I still caution people
not to use the current emissions-friendly oils in bikes that share a sump.
Richard, you asked for numbers … and I thought it was perfectly legitimate to do so. But, as you know, those kinds of numbers are difficult to come by. What
Bob provided was interesting but by no means proof. Still, if you can find numbers to the contrary, please post them here or in the analysis section.
What I don’t want to hear is someone say something akin to the following: “Heck, I’ve been riding and maintaining bikes for over 30 years and I’ve had no problems using any old oil off-the-shelf …”
That statement means nothing. As
Bob points out, the ZDDP levels have only started to drop severely in the last few years and this drop might have been delayed in some of the heavier weights often favored by motorcyclists. Bikes running typical oil intervals would only start seeing evidence of accelerated wear now and in the next few years.
I suppose you can wait 5-10 years for “proof”
or you apply what you know about lubricants and machines and play it safe using a better oil in your precious ride. I call the API starburst approval symbol the “Kiss of Death” and this is doubly true for gearboxes.
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Bror Jace
”I was a patriot before being a patriot was cool.” 
