HP4M or HP4S motor oil?

[PCX Commuter]

Hi all. I prefer synthetic oil in my cars and bikes. I realize there is always controversy around the subject, which I'm hoping to avoid with this post. What I'm primarily interested in is the difference in Honda's HP4M and HP4S motor oils. Honda's recommended oil for the PCX 150 is the HP4M, per the manual. This is a synthetic blend oil. It also has molybdenum as a friction reducer. That additive is challenging on bikes with manual gearboxes and wet clutches, but clearly not an issue with the PCX. The HP4S motor oil is a full synthetic with no molybdenum additive.

My question is, would I be better off with the full synthetic without molybdenum or the synthetic blend with it? Pricing is really not an issue, since we are only talking about a single quart. That said, I'm thinking of using the same oil in my final drive since I'll have enough in that quart for both. In case it is useful, here is a link to the Honda Oil and Chemicals brochure.

http://powersports.honda.com/documents/ ... micals.pdf

[you you]

What are you expecting to be different by using either?

[PCX Commuter]

Hi You You. Good question. Overall, just reduced wear for the motor. Honda started using Molybdenum with the last series of Civic and applied it to the piston skirts as a friction-reducing technique to improve efficiency and decrease wear. It was the key ingredient in the old "Slick 50" if you remember that oil additive. The question at that time is whether Molybdenum would adhere to the metal surfaces on the internals without being specifically brazed into the surface. That said, I'm not clear on whether the Molybdenum additive is made moot, if the oil is full synthetic as in the HP4S. I'm leaning towards just sticking with the HP4M as recommended, but thought it was worth the discussion.

[gn2]

How long are you intending keeping the PCX and how many miles do you expect to cover in that time?
The best type of oil is the slippery stuff.
Get down to Walmart or wherever and get the cheapest 10-40 you can find.
Change the engine oil every 5,000 miles and the final drive once every two years.
Sorted.

[SmellyTofu]

I myself will bite the bullet and get the HP4M. There is no JASO MB oil available in Australia at all but at the same time, I think a more frequent change than required (I don't do the 4000km service intervals per 6 months) which will outweigh the benefits of going full synthetics. As they say, it's better to change often with poorer oil than it is to keep good oil in for longer.

[you you]

Get either. Both will do the job as will all the rest of the oils.

Oil brand or type will make no discernable difference to the life of the motorcycle whatsoever

Accident damage and corrosion are the biggies

[maddiedog]

PCX Commuter, honestly I think you know more and have researched more about the two specific oils than anyone who has chimed in here thus far.

For oil, I go the GN2 route and just put cheap full synthetic 10w40 in mine. Like you said, the PCX has a dry clutch, and to take that further, the PCX's redline is at 9200rpm, which is lower than most superbikes that run the same oil. I'd imagine keeping to the maintenance schedule is just as important as the oil, but since you already do that, I'd just stick with the manufacturer specification and run the blend.

[PCX Commuter]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm going with the recommended HP4M for now. Seems like the right balance and I am a factory, OEM man!

[you you]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm going with the recommended HP4M for now. Seems like the right balance and I am a factory, OEM man!

Good for you, bend over.

[OriginalRocket]

Dry clutch, I'm running Mobil 1 extended protection 10w-30. Just wish the bike had an oil filter

[gn2]

Just wish the bike had an oil filter

Doesn't need one.
It would just add a needless expense to the running costs.

[maddiedog]

Good for you, bend over.

Be nice, or I'll make you bend over.