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So you got a wet clutch in your motorcycle and want to fill the reservoir with the new oil. You’ve got to the right place. This article hosts the best motorcycle oil wet clutch.
We’ve reviewed the top oil brands for wet clutches – Lucas, Motul. They’re JASO standard oils that ensure that they meet oil-bathed clutch needs. And they don’t feature friction modifiers and other additives that cause clutch slipping.
With that, we’ll share a complete buying guide for wet clutch oils. So if you’re new to it, you will know enough about what to look for when purchasing wet clutch oil for your motorcycles.
Let’s unbox the 5 best motorcycle oil wet clutches.
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Lucas Oil LUC10710 10W-40 Semi-Synthetic Motorcycle Oil
- Package Dimensions: 4.5 L x 9.5 H x 2 W (inches)
- Package Weight : 13 pounds
Pros:
- Semi-synthetic oil
- JASO MA/MA2 Standard
- Reduces oil temperature
- Delivers smooth shifting
- Quiet engine performance
- 4 Litre oil
Cons:
- So far no drawbacks, it pleased customers
The first best motorcycle oil for the wet clutch is from the Lucas brand. It’s a semi-synthetic oil that’s formulated for wet clutch. It keeps the oil temperature lower and helps it to last longer. With the Lucas oil, no need to worry about wearing your transmission and clutch parts as it delivers maximum anti-wear lubricity.
The clutch oil does not come with friction modifiers that cause slippage. It is free of such components and you won’t experience slipping. Oil-bath clutch oil must meet JASO MA/MA2 standards. Thanks to Lucas that brought you this certified oil, made for wet clutches.
You can use this product for either air-cooled or water-cooled 4-stroke motorcycles. Unlike dry clutches that make noise, when you dip your wet clutch in this oil, you will not hear any noise coming out of it. It delivers quiet and leak-free performance.
Since the clutch helps with shifting gears, with the Lucas oil, it will become quite smoother. And you will notice a bigger difference with shifting than with the non-Lucas clutch oil. This 10W-40 viscous oil can be used for both clutch and engine.
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Motul 300V Ester Synthetic Oil – 10W40
- For best performance, follow the manufacturer's recommendations in your vehicle owner’s manual
- - MOTUL stands for first-class lubricants of premium quality
Pros:
- Synthetic oil
- No clutch slippage
- Anti-wear oil
- Dual Ester mechanism
- 10W-40
- 4-liter oil
Cons:
- Expensive than Lucas oil
This Motul oil also features 10W-40 viscosity – the same as the Lucas oil. Such viscous oil is perfect for wet clutches. The dual ester technology of the oil maximizes the lubricity of the oil and gives you better engine operation.
This tech lacks in most oil and that’s why this product keeps the engine cooler. Also, this Motul oil is not semi-synthetic, it’s fully synthetic which is a plus. You can use this product for all 4 stroke engines whether it’s road racing, motocross, or bikes – independent of the catalytic converter.
You will easily shift gears if you bathe your wet clutch in it. The wet clutches love this Motul oil as it meets JASO T904 standard, and has passed the compatibility test. With other products, most engines are at ~200F. But with the Motul oil, your motorcycle engine will stay at a lower temperature, ~190F.
The ester technology used in this oil avoids any clutch slippage. The high oil lubricity due to this technology also keeps engine parts from any wear and tear so that the engine and the clutch work longer. Find out more about this oil by clicking the image of the product.
Mobil 1 96936 20W-50 V-Twin Synthetic Motorcycle Motor Oil – 1 Quart (Pack of 6)
- Product Type:Auto Accessory
- Item Package Dimension:7.625 " L X8.125 " W X9.625 " H
Pros:
- Synthetic
- 20W-50
- Protects engine components against wear and tear
- 12.23 pounds
- 10 x 8 x 9 inches
Cons:
- Not a complete engine oil kit
Let’s unbox another oil brand for motorcycle wet clutch. And that’s the Mobil 1 synthetic oil, perfect for engines and oil-bathed clutches. This oil protects your engine parts and clutch components when they get heated. It keeps the temperature lower so that the overheat does not cause any wear to the parts.
This product is more viscous as it has a 20W-50 weight. Yet it delivers better lubricity to your motorcycle’s wet clutch so that you can easily shift gears. You can put this oil in four-cycle engines.
This is a single bottle of one-quart oil, enough for most motorcycles. You need to check your owner’s manual to see if this much oil is sufficient for the bike model that you have. With that, you can explore more customer ratings and reviews by clicking the product’s image.
HONDA 08C35-A141L01 Honda Pro GN4 Motor Oil, 10W40
Pros:
- OEM standard
- 10W-40 Viscosity
- One gallon oil
- 7.5 pounds
- 7 x 3 x 11 inches
The Honda motor oil is the next brand on the list of the best motorcycle oil wet clutch. This is OEM honda oil that your motorcycle wet clutch will love. The brand made a standard for motorcycle oil back in the 70s.
This oil comes with the same viscosity that’s perfect for wet clutches, 10W-40. The oil could be used for engines as well as oil-bathed clutches. As for the latter case it only needs lubrication to keep the components protected.
Honda Pro GN4 Motor Oil is one bottle of one-gallon oil which makes it best for 4 stroke motorcycles and bikes. This model delivers a quiet engine performance with easier and smoother gear shifting.
Maxima 41901 MTL-R 80WT Motorcycle Transmission/Clutch Fluid – 1 Liter Bottle
- MTL has been significantly improved with new technologically advanced additive systems that drastically improve clutch life and reduce slippage
Pros:
- Protects transmission components
- 80WT viscosity = 10W40
- Improves clutch life
- No slippage
- For 2 and 4 cycle motorcycles
- 8.9 x 5.5 x 2.4 inches
Cons:
- One liter oil only
If you’ve made it this far, let’s walk through the last product as well. This might be inexpensive yet efficient oil for your motorcycle wet clutch. The Maxima transmission or clutch oil extends the clutch’s lifespan. It also reduces clutch slippage.
The reason why you won’t experience any slippage with this oil is that its composition does not include friction modifiers and high-pressure additives. This chemical mixture causes slippage in the clutch. So the brand has excluded such components from its formulation.
This wet clutch oil won’t wear your motorcycle transmission and clutch parts but they’ll keep them protected against any wear or tear caused by the high temperature. You can use this oil for all air and water-cooled transmissions whether it’s a 2 or 4 cycle engine.
Find out more about the Maxima 41901 MTL-R 80WT clutch oil by clicking the product’s image above. It has 80 WT viscosity, which is equivalent to the 10W-40. This bottle of oil just comes with one-liter oil. Make sure that’s enough for your type of motorcycle.
BUYING GUIDE for the Best Motorcycle Oil Wet Clutch
This is a complete guide for you if you’re a first-time wet clutch oil buyer. Or if you want to look for some of the key features of oil that make them perfect for wet clutches. We’ll share some top oil brands, oil types, factors to consider while purchasing oil, and the benefits of high-quality oils. This will help you make the right purchase for your motorcycle’s wet clutch and engine.
Key Features
Smooth Shifting
Since clutch helps you shift between gears, a high-quality oil will deliver smoother shifting. Wet clutches are quieter than dry clutches. But if you go for high-end oil, you will experience even more smoothness. This is the first key feature of a good wet clutch oil.
Less Wear
Another oil feature is that it does not cause any wear and tear to your motorcycle transmission and clutch parts. It keeps them moist and oily so that the high friction produced does not affect the components.
Quiet Engine Performance
When your motorcycle engine performs quietly, then admit that you’ve put in some useful and standard oil in there. With better engine performance, wet clutches also don’t make that cranky sound when you shift gear.
Related: Top 3 Best Brake Fluid For Harley Davidson
JASO MA / MA2 Certified
You should look for oils that meet JASO MA / MA2 standards. If you can’t decide between the engine and the oil that’s for wet clutches, look for the JASO standard. All those oils that have JASO MA or JASO MA2 certification are for wet clutches.
It does not matter whether you’re using synthetic, or semi-synthetic oil as long as it meets JASO MA or JASO MA2 standards, you can use it for your motorcycle wet clutches. Luckily all the products reviewed in this article meet the standard.
Check out this link for all the JASO standard oil lists. Also if the API label on the oil bottle does not say that it’s energy-conserving or resources conserving, you can use it for wet clutches.
How to Choose the Best Motorcycle oil Wet Clutch
Since you know about some of the key aspects of high-quality wet clutch oils, let’s find the best wet clutch oil for your motorcycle.
Go By the Owner’s Manual
The best guide you can find for picking the right product for your motorcycle is its manual. Just take some time and go through the manual. See what type of oil it suggests for wet clutches. How much oil does it need? You can find all that from the manual.
No Friction Modifiers
If oils have friction modifiers in their chemical components, then don’t pick it. Because it causes clutch slippage and transmission wear. Such modifiers decrease the coefficient of friction. That’s why it affects clutch parts and causes slippage, which most people come up with.
No High-Pressure Additives
Besides friction modifiers, high-pressure additives also cause problems as modifiers. They cause clutch slipping. Your motorcycle wheels won’t get enough power to move when the oil you’re using has high-pressure additives.
Just so you can easily decide, JASO MA or JASO MA2 standard oils have no friction modifiers and high-pressure additives. You can use them for your motorcycle wet clutches.
Benefits of the best motorcycle oil wet clutch
Below are some benefits of the best motorcycle wet clutch. You will get these benefits if you use high-quality oil in your motorcycle wet clutch.
- The oil keeps engines, transmission, and clutches’ temperature lower. They become overheated due to continuous operation and high friction. A good quality oil keeps them at a low temperature.
- Your motorcycle engine parts, transmission, and clutch components will last longer.
- Using wet clutch oil reduces your engine’s noise.
- Gives you longer oil life.
- And less oil leak
- Great efficiency
- Better stability
Types of oil
Below are some of the oil types that you can pick from when you’re looking for the best motorcycle wet clutch oils.
Synthetic Oil
As the name sounds, they’re man-made oil for engines and transmission. They deliver maximum efficiency and temperature control. For your motorcycle wet clutch, you can choose this type of oil as far as it meets JASO standards.
Semi-synthetic Oil
This is a mixture of both synthetic and conventional oils. You can go for this type as well. They’re made more for high-speed vehicles than for street bikes. And they’re expensive as well.
Regular Oil
Regular or mineral oil is the next type that is not man-made. They may not be that effective to control the temperature. However, if you’re not a big fan of synthetic oils, go for mineral oil. But synthetic whether semi or fully is the best oil than this type.
Top Brands
Lucas Oil
Forest Lucas is the founder of the Lucas oil brand. It was 1989 when he put the first brick of this top oil brand. The company produces high-quality automotive oil for engines and transmission. You can pick oil for your motorcycle wet clutch as this is the top oil brand worldwide.
Motul
Motul makes brake oil, fork oil, motor oil, and wet clutch oil for most vehicles. This is a French oil brand that you can choose for your motorcycle wet clutch.
Mobil 1
Mobil 1 is the top oil brand that makes high-quality engine oils. The company made its first product back in the 70s. And now they’re serving globally, making engines run faster and quieter.
Honda
In our top oil brand’s list, Honda is the next company that produces the best OEM standard oil for wet clutch and engines. The Honda oil reviewed in this article has 10W-40 viscosity that makes it perfect for wet clutches.
Maxima
Maxima produces synthetic oils for motorcycle engines, transmissions, and wet clutches. It’s located in the United States and was founded in 1979. Their products are of high quality that delivers smooth shifting and better engine performance.
Pricing
Under $30
This category of oil comes in 10W-40 viscosity. And their volume is around one liter. So if you want to pick this type of oil that meets your needs, go for it. However, you should check the product’s description without relying on its price
$30 Over
The oils that have 20W-40 + viscosity and have around 4-liter volume cost over 30$. The Mobil 1 oil that we’ve reviewed in this article also cost more than 30 dollars. As mentioned earlier, it’s essential to walk through the product description before deciding on the mere price.
Also Read: The 3 Best Oils for Harley Davidson 103 and complete change Kits
FAQs
What is the best oil for a wet clutch?
The best oils for a wet clutch are the ones that meet JASO standards. The Motul 300V and Lucas Oil LUC10710 are the products – reviewed in this article – that are perfect for wet clutches. They give you smooth shifting, and they cause no clutch slipping.
Will synthetic oil cause motorcycle clutch to slip?
Synthetic oil does not cause motorcycle clutch to slip as far as it meets JASO MA or JASO MA2 standards. The friction modifiers and high-pressure additives cause slippage. The JASO-certified oil does not feature these additives. So when you want to purchase oil for your motorcycle clutch, make sure that it’s JASO certified so that your motorcycle clutch does not slip.
Do wet clutches last longer?
Wet clutches last longer than dry clutches. Wet clutches are bathed in the oil that keeps them lubricated. And high temperatures do not affect them. For long-lasting durability, it’s essential to use high-standard oil that is designed for wet clutches.
Does Harley have a wet clutch?
Since most new motorcycles feature wet clutches, Harley’s latest models also come with them. Harley has a variety of models. And the touring model had a dry clutch back in the 80s. Now their new models come with wet clutches. Some motorcycles have both clutches. So check out the specific model of Harley to see whether it has a dry or wet clutch or both.
Can too much oil cause clutch slip?
The oil level has nothing with the clutch slip. It’s the oil that causes slippage. Oils other than JASO certified and those with friction modifiers cause a clutch slip. Also, keep the oil level at what the manual says. Don’t overfill or underfill the reservoir.
Can you fix a slipping clutch without replacing it?
First, change the oil. You might be using Non-JASO standard oil that causes clutch slipping. If the issue is still there after using JASO-certified oil, you may need to consult a professional. In most cases, the clutch slip occurs due to using oils that feature friction modifiers and high-pressure additives.
Which is the better wet or dry clutch?
A wet clutch is better than a dry clutch. It gives you smoother shifting. And it’s quieter as well. On the flip side, dry clutches are noisier, and they don’t deliver as effective shifting as wet clutches. Wet clutch lasts longer as they’re dipped in the oil. That’s why they’re called wet clutches.
How long does a wet clutch last?
That depends on the quality of oil you’ve been putting in. If you’ve filled the reservoir with the JASO standard oil, the clutch will need around 30,000 miles to last. For Non-JASO oil, the longevity is lower. Wet clutches last longer than dry clutches. Always consult your motorcycle manual for such details as there are countless types of motorcycles.
What happens if you don’t soak clutch plates?
Wet clutches as the name sounds are bathed in the oil. It does not matter whether you soak it before the installation or not. When you install new plates, they will get soaked by the oil. And yeah, it’s better to soak them prior to installation.
How do you tell if a motorcycle clutch is worn out?
Some signs of a worn-out clutch are that you won’t be able to shift gear that easily. And when the clutch lever gets stuck, then chances are that your motorcycle clutches have worn out.
Why do cars not have wet clutches?
Motorcycles have wet clutches to lower the heat in the transmission and clutches. That’s why wet clutches are dipped in the oil to release the heat. Some motorcycles have dry clutches as well. Others have both. On the flip side, cars have pressure plates and flywheels to dissipate the heat.
Is it bad to hold in the clutch on a motorcycle?
It’s not bad to hold in the clutch on your motorcycle as long as you’re fully engaging it. A half-clutch engagement causes clutch wearing. Make sure to fully engage the clutch. Also, it’s a bad habit to just hold the clutch when there’s no need for it. Try to avoid it.
How often should I change the transmission oil in my Harley?
Change transmission oil in your Harley after every 20,000 miles. That’s more than for changing the engine and primary oil. That’s the normal case. The best way is to go through your Harley’s manual and see how often you should change its transmission oil.
Why does Ducati use a dry clutch?
Most motorcycles were using dry clutches. Many are using it now too. And Ducati is one of them. Some bikes have both clutches. So Ducati prefers dry over wet clutch.
The Verdict
As you’ve made this far, let’s share with you the best motorcycle oil wet clutch on the list. And that’s the Lucus and Motul oil – reviewed in this article. They don’t cause clutch slippage as they meet JASO MA standards. If you want to pick from the list, go for either of the two brands.
Last update on 2023-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
