Both competitors are 100% synthetic and integrated with Ester Technology to reduce engine internal friction, provide better performance in extreme temperatures, deliver good solvency, and improved shear resistance for engine longevity.
Both of them are designed for high-performance 4-stroke motorcycle engines in highly stressed scenarios. And both of them meet the advanced lubrication standards; JASO MA2 and API SN and are also backward compatible with previous standards.
Pro is designed through XP Technology to provide better fuel efficiency and wear protection. It is formulated for both the air and water-cooled 4-stroke engines fitted inside the road and off-road motorcycles. It provides optimal protection to engines in an extremely cold environment.
Motul is formulated for regular road bikes, trails, sports bikes, off-road bikes, and enduro and is also compatible with ATVs and UTVs. It is suitable for catalytic converters, dry or wet clutch systems, and integrated gearbox systems as well. It performs exceptionally well in high-temperature conditions. Its engine cleaning performance and longer drain intervals make it one of the best engine oils for 4-stroke engines.
Compared to Pro 4, Motul 7100 performs cleaning operations better. It is also superior in high temperatures and known for its longer drain intervals. But lacks behind its competitor when working in a cold environment. Also, its wear protection ability is inferior to Pro.
| Specifications | Silkolene Pro 4 | Motul 7100 |
| Oil Type | Fully Synthetic | Full Synthetic |
| Engine Type | 4-stroke motorcycle engine | 4-stroke motorcycle engine |
| Formulated Technology | Ester & XP | Ester |
| Available in Viscosity Grades | SAE 10W – 30, 10W – 40, 10W – 50, 10W – 60, 5W – 40, 15W – 50 | SAE 10W – 50, 10W – 30, 10W – 60, 20W – 50, 10W – 40 |
| API Standard | SN | SN |
| JASO Standards | MA2 | MA2 |
Table of Contents
How different are they when it comes to viscosity?
Motul 7100
The kinematic viscosity of a lubricant tells us how easy it would flow inside an engine. The kinematic viscosity of a lubricant defines its flowing characteristics of it. Its value is being tested at two different temperature levels of both contenders.
As we can see that the value of kinematic viscosity of Pro is relatively high at both temperature levels. It means that it would flow more easily compared to its competitor and hence would consume less fuel to circulate.
Another important parameter in this comparison is the viscosity index, which defines the change in the kinematic viscosity of a lubricant due to the change in the oil’s temperature.
Its value is inversely proportional to the change.
So there would be relatively less change in the kinematic viscosity of Motul since its value is higher than Pro.
It means that Motul is a better choice in this regard since it doesn’t lose its fluid characteristics that easily compared to its competitor.
| Parameter | Silkolene Pro 4 (15W – 50) | Motul 7100 (10W – 60) |
| Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 °C | 134.8 mm²/s | 161.1 mm²/s |
| Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 °C | 18.8 mm²/s | 23.9 mm²/s |
| Viscosity Index | 158 | 181 |
Endurance of these oils in Extreme Temperatures
The endurance of any lubricant in extreme temperature levels can be measured by two parameters; pour point and flashpoint.
Flashpoint determines the endurance capability of a lubricant in high-temperature conditions.
Motul would be a better choice in high-temperature conditions since its flashpoint value is relatively higher which means it would last longer in high-temperature conditions before getting burned up.
On the other hand, Pro would perform better in cold weather since its pour point value is relatively lower which suggests that it would last longer in a cold environment before getting frozen.
Motul is superior in high-temperature conditions while its competitor would be a more preferable choice in cold weather.
| Parameter | Silkolene Pro 4 (15W – 50) | Motul 7100 (10W – 60) |
| Pour Point, °C | -35 | -33 |
| Flash Point, °C | 208 | 232 |
Which offers better Cleansing Ability?
Due to oxidation, molecules of engine oil break down and combine with contamination and dirt which leads to the formation of sludge or deposit in the engine.
Calcium and magnesium, two major cleaning detergents are being added into lubricant to resolve the problem.
The collective amount of these two detergents is slightly higher in Motul compared to its opponent.
Foaming in engine oils is another phenomenon that occurs in the engine to affect the performance of engine oil. It could be the result of contamination, cavitation, extreme agitation, or air ingress.
To resolve the issue, an anti-foaming agent, silicone, is being added to engine oils.
The anti-foaming ability of Motul would be better since its silicone concentration is relatively higher.
Motul is superior to its competitor in terms of engine cleaning.
| Detergent | Silkolene Pro 4 (15W – 50) | Motul 7100 (10W – 60) |
| Calcium, ppm | 1917 | 2293 |
| Magnesium, ppm | 315 | 7 |
| Silicone, ppm | 11 | 26 |
Do these lubes offer Anti-wear Protection?
To enhance the wear protection of engine oil, anti-wear additives such as phosphorus, zinc, and molybdenum are being added to lubricants.
Their collective amount would determine the wear protection ability of any engine oil.
As we can observe in the table below that the collective amount of anti-wear additives are relatively higher in Pro compared to its opponent.
Hence Pro would be a better choice if wear protection is your priority.
| Additive | Silkolene Pro 4 (15W – 50) | Motul 7100 (10W – 60) |
| Zinc, ppm | 1257 | 1196 |
| Phosphorous, ppm | 1186 | 1009 |
| Molybdenum, ppm | 158 | 31 |
Which oil is more compatible with the engine’s Catalytic Converter?
A drawback of anti-wear additives is the high concentration of zinc which could be very harmful to the catalytic converter in case of oil seepage.
When engine oil gets leaked into the combustion chamber, due to broken piston rings, then it gets burned down.
And the formation of zinc ash occurs which is potentially harmful to the performance of the catalytic converter.
Since the concentration of zinc in Motul is relatively low then the ash formation and its impact on the catalytic converter would also be low.
Hence, Motul is more compatible with catalytic converter.
Oil Drainage
Engine oil must be changed when it becomes acidic, contaminated, and thick due to sludge or deposit formation. The acids in it come from oxidation, combustion byproducts, and contamination.
The alkaline-based additives in lubricants keep the pH level under control but when their neutralizing ability wears off, engine oil becomes acidic and could lead to engine failure.
The neutralizing ability of lubricants depends upon their TBN (Total Base Number) value.
Since the TBN value of Motul is higher than its competitor, it would last longer in the engine and hence would have a longer oil drain interval.
| Parameter | Silkolene Pro 4 (15W – 50) | Motul 7100 (10W – 60) |
| Total Base Number, mg KOH/g | 6.5 | 8.4 |
Summary
- Both competitors are formulated for 4-stroke motorcycle engines.
- They are purely synthetic and integrated with Ester Technology with Pro being also integrated with XP Technology.
- Both of them meet the API SN and JASO MA2 standards.
- Pro is less viscous but Motul would be the one whose viscosity would be less affected due to temperature alteration.
- Pro would perform better in cold weather while its competitor will provide better protection in high temperatures.
- Motul performs engine cleaning better than its competitor.
- Pro delivers wear protection better than its competitor.
- Motul is more compatible with catalytic converter compared to its opponent.
- Oil drain interval of Motul is relatively longer.
- Motul is costlier than Pro.
