GM Dexos
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Generally speaking, no modern API SM-SP oil is “safe” for wet clutches, too much friction modifier is added to help meet ILSAC/CAFE specs. dexos1 falls under the API SN/Plus and SP specs.
dexos2 might be a different beast.
dexos2 might be a different beast.
Dexos is an extension of ILSAC and API Resource Conserving standards, it's thin fuel economy oil that's probably friction modified to the hilt, even without considering the friction modifiers the heaviest grade is 5W30 and it's HTHS limited(usually under 3.2CSt) resource conserving oil so I'd think that'd be too thin for shared sump motor cycles.
I would think in many cases, at least for automotive engine oil, the same add pack is used across the line from a 0W-16 to a 20W-50 oil. Even if the kinematics are different, the FM component is still there. Many powersports oils are still API SJ/SL compliant with a JASO Mx certification.
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Buy an oil designed for your wet clutch engine. Choose a lubricant that meets the requirements of your specific vehicle. It likely has a specific JASO MA/MA2 specification in the owners manual.
General Motors doesn't make wet clutch motorcycles and therefore doesn't design their oils around those requirements. Dexos 1, regardless of generation, is designed to deliver high fuel economy and engine cleanliness all based on ILSAC and the latest API ratings. Dexos 2 was the standard GM used for their light duty diesel engines that are/were available in automobiles globally. This specification isn't for their light duty diesel pickup trucks and it is formulated more toward the European side of things. None of the Dexos licensed products that I know of carry any JASO MA ratings nor have been tested to those standards.
General Motors doesn't make wet clutch motorcycles and therefore doesn't design their oils around those requirements. Dexos 1, regardless of generation, is designed to deliver high fuel economy and engine cleanliness all based on ILSAC and the latest API ratings. Dexos 2 was the standard GM used for their light duty diesel engines that are/were available in automobiles globally. This specification isn't for their light duty diesel pickup trucks and it is formulated more toward the European side of things. None of the Dexos licensed products that I know of carry any JASO MA ratings nor have been tested to those standards.
This.
dexos licensing has nothing to do with that type of requirement of motorcycles, unlike JASO licensing.
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Dexos Schmexos! It certainly isn’t the be all and end all. Buy a engine that specifies JASO MA/MA2.
The only exception to the rule might be a Harley - they use three separate lubricants(engine, primary drive, transmission) but they also call for “thick” oil(20W-50 or similar).
Buy a engine that specifies JASO MA/MA2
Edit: It should have read, buy an engine oil that specifies JASO MA/MA2
Edit: It should have read, buy an engine oil that specifies JASO MA/MA2
I found this interesting. Mobil 1 4T 10W-40 is API SN now.
V-Twin 20W-50 is still advertising the older API specs.
SN on non resource conserving grades doesn't mean a whole lot.
GM’s Delco Dexos is made by ExxonMobil and technically speaking there
is nothing in good ole Mobil 1 that will defeat a wet clutch in good working
ordered... mileage not additives is the cause of our clutches to loose
grip... the only difference is cost... Delco is around 12 bucks a Qt
whereas Mobli 1 is around 5 bucks a Qt...
Boron 218 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge, anti-wear)
Magnesium 0 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Calcium 2260 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Barium 0 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Zinc 878 ppm (anti-wear)
Phos 758 ppm (anti-wear)
Moly 72 ppm (anti-wear)
Potassium = 4 ppm (anti-freeze corrosion inhibitor)
Sodium = 0 ppm (anti-freeze corrosion inhibitor)
TBN = 6.7 (Total Base Number is an acid neutralizer to prevent corrosion.
is nothing in good ole Mobil 1 that will defeat a wet clutch in good working
ordered... mileage not additives is the cause of our clutches to loose
grip... the only difference is cost... Delco is around 12 bucks a Qt
whereas Mobli 1 is around 5 bucks a Qt...
Boron 218 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge, anti-wear)
Magnesium 0 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Calcium 2260 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Barium 0 ppm (detergent/dispersant, anti-deposit buildup/anti-sludge)
Zinc 878 ppm (anti-wear)
Phos 758 ppm (anti-wear)
Moly 72 ppm (anti-wear)
Potassium = 4 ppm (anti-freeze corrosion inhibitor)
Sodium = 0 ppm (anti-freeze corrosion inhibitor)
TBN = 6.7 (Total Base Number is an acid neutralizer to prevent corrosion.
GM automatic transmissions employ wet clutches...
There is no motorcycle wet clutch requirement... any auto oil has proved to work in a motorcycle wet clutch...
Mileage not additives are the objective cause of our clutches to lose grip...
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Do you think we're discussing automatic transmissions?
No, and I know of zero motorcycles that call for 0w20, 5w20 or 5w30 oils which are the only designations I know of for a Dexos approved oils.
DO NOT use Dexos oils in wet clutch motorcycles. Definitely the wrong oil for the application.
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