What’s the Best Wet Clutch Motorcycle Oil?
The last thing you need when you are on a long motorcycle road trip is an ineffective clutch that starts making strange noises, acts unpredictably, or wears out and stops working entirely. The problem may lie with the clutch oil you use. Unless the oil is correctly formulated and rated for motorcycles, you can end up with various clutch-related problems. That is why it is essential to use the best motorcycle oil for wet clutch and replenish it from time to time to keep the motorcycle clutch well-lubricated.
What is a motorcycle clutch?
A motorcycle clutch is a machine component that connects the engine with the transmission using alternately placed friction and steel plates. When you turn on the motorcycle, the motorcycle engine starts to spin. However, to make the wheels turn as well, you need the motorcycle clutch. The clutch makes it possible for the spinning engine to engage the transmission and get the wheels moving.
With the clutch, you can turn on or switch off the motorcycle’s power to its rear wheel when you need to change gears to alter the motorcycle’s speed. You do not need to switch off the engine to come to a smooth halt. The clutch assembly components consist of a primary drive gear assembly, a clutch basket, a clutch hub, two friction and steel clutch plates, a pressure plate, clutch springs, a clutch lever, and a connecting cable.
How does a motorcycle clutch work?
When you pull the clutch lever, the clutch springs get compressed and cause the retraction of the pressure plate and the separation of the two clutch plates. Since the friction and steel plates then start to rotate separately, they disconnect the engine from the transmission and stop powering the rear wheel. That allows you to change the motorcycle gears or bring the motorcycle to a halt.
What is a wet clutch?
A wet clutch is a clutch that you can find in most motorcycles these days. The term “wet clutch” comes from the fact that it needs lubrication with specially formulated engine oil. Along with cooling the clutch plates and other components, the lubricant enables them to give better performance.
The best motorcycle oil for wet clutch will help you get a good friction zone and have a clutch that is easier to operate. You will be able to ride your motorcycle smoothly for 10,000 miles or more without needing to check and replace the clutch. Just make sure you have a good oil filter installed in the motorcycle engine. That will take care of the dust and dirt created in the engine oil from the wear and tear of the clutch.
Which is the best oil for a wet clutch?
When buying the best motorcycle oil for wet clutch, it is essential to consider which grade and service rating will suit your motorcycle. The best motorcycle oil for wet clutch will have the following features:
• It will be specially formulated for motorcycle wet clutches to influence the dynamic friction that many motorcyclists commonly call clutch feel.
• It enables the clutch to operate quietly without too much clutch squeal or clutch chatter.
• It will contribute to the holding power or static friction between the plates once you open up the clutch lever.
• It will not contain any extreme pressure additives or friction modifiers that could cause clutch slippage and other clutch problems.
• It will contain anti-wear additives and corrosion inhibitors that can prevent corrosion and damage to keep your motorcycle engine and clutch in good condition despite frequent and heavy use.
• It will have the correct frictional properties that will provide consistent friction and enable the motorcycle to carry out smooth gear shifts.
• It may contain special detergents to help clean up grime, deposits, and sludge in the motorcycle engine.
• It can endure the hot temperatures generated by motorcycle engines and withstand high engine speeds and a greater power density.
The best motorcycle oil for wet clutch will meet JASO MA, JASO MA1, or JASO MA2 standards. JASO stands for the Japanese Automotive Standards Organization. It used clutch system friction tests to develop the grading system for motorcycle oils in 1998.