Quote:
Originally Posted by Triple Jim
I have a problem with oil that starts as crude oil from underground being classified as synthetic, but it's not a big problem because I generally don't buy expensive oil.  |
Oligomerization changes the oil significantly and makes it chemically different from traditional oil.
Basically, it makes sure each oil molecule is exactly the same size and aligned the same way. So... what's "synthetic" is not the fluid itself, but the structure of that fluid, if you will. It's no more slippery or less slippery than conventional, it's more perfect. It's better for consistency and longevity. Sure... not really ALL that important for a motorcycle that sees seasonal use of <8,000 miles per year and has a sump of only 2 quarts, but you better believe it's a major concern in machines that run 24/7 and have oil sumps north of 1,000 gallons and go 5-10 years between overhauls.