CAUTION WHEN CHOOSING OIL

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The JASO MA2 oil has less ZDDP in it for catalytic converter safety compared to the MA rated oil.
After trying multiple brands and weights, I ended up with Redline 10w30. It's JASO MA because of the extra high levels of ZDDP. Never got that cold knocking with it either.

Actually, JASO MA, MA2, and MB ratings *mostly* describe clutch performance (has to do with clutch friction ratings) and any JASO rating does not guarantee any content of ZDDP. But! Redline is a PROVEN oil and does very well on UOAs.

Quote:Since Honda produces the oil in house, ...
I did not know that. I thought maybe they bought it from some oil company and branded it.

So, if they don't just buy it and feel the need to make it then I guess it is special. Like my CB1100. Special oil. Special bike. I like that. I'll keep both.

I did not know that. I thought maybe they bought it from some oil company and branded it.

So, if they don't just buy it and feel the need to make it then I guess it is special. Like my CB1100. Special oil. Special bike. I like that. I'll keep both.

If they do make it, then that's the definitive reason to use it.
They can formulate it and tweak it to whatever is best for their engines.

Nothing as far as oil brands go is definitive the reason Honda decided to produce their own oil in house is unknown. My speculation was listed above. It's *far* more profitable to to make sure every component comes out of Honda than to try and contract it out. That's undisputed. Does Honda go through the effort of tweaking their formulation for their engines? Maybe, I have no idea at all. I'm guessing no. Honda does not use any unique materials or unique tolerances that can be addressed by an oil. A good example is how Honda discussed the materials used in the CB1100 are different than that in any of their other engines due to its unique design.

Again, everyone here obviously cares a lot about their bike and it shows in regular maintenance. Keep it up and, again, everyone is right
Remember how I said I can be wrong?

I did some more research and it looks like, though Honda does not contract another oil manufacturer to sell their oils (like some 'OEM' oils do), they DO just buy their oil from different companies and brand it Honda. In America, it's an Exxon-Mobil blend (which means their synthetics are PROBABLY a class 3 oil, not true synthetic) and in Canada its PetroCanada. I didn't research the other countries Now, as far as the formulation goes, Honda either contracts a chemist/company, uses in-house employees, bought a formula(s), or has tells the providers to give them a blend with certain compliances. Personally, I will never know this. Hopefully this sheds some light though!

Just an FYI!