Identifying Motorcycle Lubricant Opportunities in a Changing Market
While the car and truck industries were hard hit by the pandemic and sales in these areas are still in a trough, the same is not so true of the motorcycle segment. Although low consumer spending and confidence affected global sales, the fall was not as dramatic as in other transportation sectors and, looking ahead, strong growth is expected. However, the market is changing and lubricant suppliers looking to capitalize on the opportunities will need to be ready with products to address the challenges that are arising.
The first challenge is tightening emissions regulations for motorcycles, notably Bharat Stage 6 in India and Euro V in Japan and Europe. These not only tighten limits for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen but also introduce new particulate matter and pollutant non-methane hydrocarbon limits. They are made even more challenging since the levels must be achieved under the World Motorcycle Test Driving Cycle (WMTC), designed to represent typical driving conditions. These changes are driving OEMs to modify conventional hardware and engine operation and to introduce new hardware systems, which means motorcycle oils need to help optimize these designs and control emissions while also improving fuel economy.
In addition, the mandatory use of increasingly interrogating on-board diagnostic systems is edging closer. Catalytic converter monitoring, which is phasing in 2023-2024, is designed to ensure tailpipe emissions remain within the threshold limits during vehicle use. This means OEMs will need oils that can support extended catalyst life, although this must not come at the expense of hardware protection.
The second big challenge is meeting consumer needs. Infineum surveys in India and some ASEAN markets (that account for almost 50% of the global market) reveal what is important to consumers. In these markets, which are dominated by smaller bikes, with smaller sumps that run hotter for longer and that are relied on for daily transportation, consumers value hardware durability and fuel efficiency. In the race for more sales, OEMs will increasingly recommend lubricants that can contribute to improved fuel economy performance while still ensuring hardware protection.
Alongside these challenges, climate change and sustainability are also impacting the motorcycle world and the pace of powertrain electrification and motorcycle digitisation is increasing. These pressures mean lubricant suppliers will need to work harder to win the conventional lubricant volumes that remain by providing tailored motorcycle products that deliver sufficient protection in critical areas throughout the oil’s lifetime in the engine. In addition, the ability to formulate effective motorcycle oils using bio (and re-refined) base stocks, evidenced via eco-labels, will be increasingly important to support sustainability goals in the future.
This paper will outline the motorcycle lubrication challenges that are arising from these tougher emissions regulations and consumer demands. It will show the technical dilemma that is encountered when designing lubricants that can offer catalyst compatibility, fuel economy and hardware durability and will demonstrate how lower viscosity motorcycle-specific oils can be formulated to address all three of these key requirements.
