Motorcycle 4T Oil JASO MA2 —
10W-30 / 20W-40 BOM & Recipe
Indian motorcycle 4T is the largest single PCMO segment globally — 280-320 million ML/year. Distinguished from car PCMO by the shared engine / gearbox / wet-clutch oil sump that demands JASO MA2 friction-clutch compatibility (no MoDTC, no GMO). This guide gives the recommended SAE 10W-40 BOM with JASO MA2 friction balance, viscosity grade selection for warm and tropical climates, and brand benchmarks for Castrol Activ, Shell Advance, Servo 4T, Mak 4T.
Working SAE 10W-40 JASO MA2
Complete BOM & %
| Component group | Typical role | Typical share |
|---|---|---|
| Base oil(s) | Carrier fluid (Group I–IV as required) | ~75–85% |
| Detergent–inhibitor (DI) additive package | Detergency, dispersancy, anti-wear, antioxidant, TBN | ~8–14% |
| Viscosity-index improver | Viscosity–temperature control (multigrades) | ~4–10% |
| Pour-point depressant & anti-foam | Cold flow & foam control | <1% |
Indicative high-level composition only. The exact components, treat rates, performance additives and approved suppliers are shared under NDA as part of a Lubechem formulation engagement.
Process: blend Group II 110N + 220N at 70 °C; dose OCP VII slowly over 60-90 min; add 4T DI; charge additional ZDDP and AO booster; PMA PPD below 60 °C; foam inhibitor last. QC: KV100 13-15 cSt for 10W-40, CCS < 7,000 mPa·s at -25 °C, sulfated ash 0.9-1.2%, P 850-950 ppm, JASO T903 friction (SAE>0.85, SFI>0.65, ratio 0.80-0.95). Ex-works cost ₹90-160 / L (~US$1.1-1.9/L) at 5 MT batch. Pack 1 L plastic bottle (volume) or 4 L jug. NO MoDTC, NO GMO. Building a MoDTC-free, wet-clutch-safe DI from scratch is a job for our additive package development service rather than a standard PCMO pack.
Motorcycle 4T SAE Grade
India Market Share & Application
| SAE Grade | India Volume Share | Application | KV100 Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAE 20W-40 | ~50% | Volume workhorse — Activa, Splendor, Pulsar, Platina, older models | 14-16 cSt |
| SAE 10W-30 | ~20% | Modern fuel-economy commuter, 100-110cc | 10-12 cSt |
| SAE 20W-50 | ~15% | Heavy-load / older engine / hilly terrain | 16-19 cSt |
| SAE 10W-40 | ~12% | Sport / premium positioning (Pulsar 220, RE) | 13-15 cSt |
| SAE 5W-30 / 5W-40 synth | ~3% | Premium synthetic, multinational dealer aftermarket | 10-15 cSt |
Frequently Asked About
Motorcycle 4T Oil
Modern 4-stroke motorcycle engines share one oil sump for engine, gearbox AND wet clutch — unlike a car where engine, transmission and clutch are separate. The wet clutch requires CONTROLLED friction at the engine-oil-wet steel/paper friction discs. Standard PCMO has Mo-DTC + GMO friction modifier (designed to REDUCE friction for fuel economy) — these slip the motorcycle wet clutch causing immediate engagement problems.
Motorcycle 4T oil must pass JASO T903 friction-clutch test. Result: motorcycle 4T has no MoDTC, no GMO. Limited PMA VII (high SSI versions); standard DI without MoDTC; ZDDP at slightly higher treat for gearbox AW.
JASO MA2 4T oil 10W-40 BOM (%): Group II 110N 38%, Group II 220N 30%, OCP VII solid 8% (low-SSI motorcycle grade), PMA PPD 0.3%, motorcycle 4T DI (Lubrizol 11183M / HiTEC 597) 12%, additional ZDDP top-treat 0.5%, phenolic AO booster 0.4%, no MoDTC, no GMO, foam inhibitor 200 ppm, balance Group II diluent.
KV100 13-15 cSt for 10W-40, sulfated ash 0.9-1.2%, P 850-950 ppm, TBN 8-10, JASO T903 friction (SAE>0.85, SFI>0.65, ratio 0.80-0.95 in MA2 zone).
JASO T903 classifies motorcycle 4T oil. MA — any motorcycle 4T oil that passes basic friction-clutch test. MA1 — low-to-mid-friction zone (SAE>0.50, SFI>0.40, ratio 0.50-0.65) for modern small commuter motorcycle. MA2 — high-friction zone (SAE>0.85, SFI>0.65, ratio 0.80-0.95) for older / clutch-spring-design / sport motorcycle. MB — automatic / scooter-AT category.
India volume: MA2 75% (workhorse commuter 100-200cc), MA1 20% (modern variable-clutch), MB 5% (Honda Activa, scooter automatic CVT). JASO classification mark printed on bottle label.
India 2W lubricant market — largest single PCMO segment globally. ~280-320 million ML/year. Hero ~40% share; Bajaj ~22%; TVS ~18%; Honda ~12%; Royal Enfield ~3%. Service interval typical 3,000-4,000 km. Aftermarket retail dominated by 2W workshop and oil-change service centres.
Brands: Castrol Activ 4T (volume leader), Shell Advance 4T, Mobil Super 4T, Motul 5100, IPONE, Bardahl, IOCL Servo 4T, BPCL Mak 4T, HPCL Power 4T, Veedol 4T. ₹140-380 / L (~US$1.6-4.5/L) retail.
India motorcycle 4T viscosity driven by ambient temperature, engine vintage and OEM recommendation. SAE 20W-40 — volume workhorse (~50%), Honda Activa, Hero Splendor, Bajaj Platina, older models. SAE 10W-30 — modern fuel-economy commuter (~20%). SAE 20W-50 — heavy-load / older engine / hilly terrain (~15%). SAE 10W-40 — sport / premium positioning (~12%). SAE 5W-30 / 5W-40 — premium synthetic (~3%).
OEM-recommended viscosity printed on filler cap is the standard; aftermarket follows.
Motorcycle 4T has slightly higher SAPS than PCMO API SP. JASO MA2 typical: sulfated ash 0.9-1.2% (vs PCMO 1.0% cap), phosphorus 850-950 ppm (vs PCMO 800 ppm cap), sulphur 0.25-0.35%. Why higher? Motorcycle uses no three-way catalyst on small engines; higher ZDDP for shared engine/gearbox lube.
Modern BS-VI motorcycles (>150cc) increasingly have aftertreatment — JASO MA2 spec now allows lower-SAPS variants. India BS-VI compliance pushed motorcycle 4T toward lower P and ash over 2020-2024.
From 4T Brief
to Custom Recipe
Need a Custom
4T Recipe?
Share your target spec (JASO MA / MA2 / MB), SAE grade, volume and brand positioning. We respond within one business day with the BOM and ex-works cost.