Bioalternatives for four stroke motorcycle engine oils

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate alternatives for four stroke 10w40 motorcycle engine oils. Today, mineral and synthetic‐based lubricants are widely used but because of ecological aspects, which are gaining in importance nowadays and limited resources of mineral oils, environmentally‐friendly biobased lubricants are gaining in importance. Biobased lubricants are also important for using national resources rather than importing crude oils which are limited. The main consumption of lubricant market is motor oils. In this study, starting from mineral, synthetic and biobased lubricants; mineral, synthetic, biomineral and biosynthetic based four stroke motorcycle engine oils (10w40) are prepared, then lubricity properties of the motor oils are determined.Design/methodology/approachThe lubricity tests of the samples are done in a fixed forced lubricity test rig and the motorcycle motor oil preparation are conducted according to ASTM test methods.FindingsThe results show that 5 per cent of biobased lubricants will be suitable for preparing 10w40 motor oils in both mineral and synthetic based motor oils. Also improvements in the lubricity properties with the blend with biobased lubricants are seen.Originality/valueThe paper presents biomineral and biosynthetic 10w40 motor oils as alternative candidates for motorcycle motor oils.