Motorcycle Repair: HONDA brand motorcycle oil, diesel engine manufacturer, rolling joints

Question
I hear a lot about using HONDA oil...not motorcycle oil from, say, Walmart.... but HONDA oil...like that's something special. How can it be special? Is it like catfood, that they add something special so that you can only use their brand and nothing else ever again?  Seriously, what's the story?

Answer
Kirk, the subject of oil can be debated with strong opinions.  There are probably folks reading this response that know more about the subject than I do.  I'll tell you what I learned as an engineer working for a diesel engine manufacturer.  

The oil base used by all fossil based oils is the same. The differences between the highest grade oil and the lowest grade oil is the additive packages the manufacturer blends in.  The higher grade oils have expensive additives and the lower grade oils have less additives. Oil blenders have their premium grades and their "fighting" grade that they sell to discount outlets.  The price you pay will reflect the quality and quantity of the additive package.

The additives are to address specific issues.  There are anti-foaming additives.  There are additives for sliding joints and difference additives for rolling joints.  At the end of the day, all fossil based oils will perform about the same if you don't stress them too hard or if you change them often.  I use Honda oils in my 85 Sabre because it has marginal lubrication to the cams so I don't want to take a chance on burning them up. I figure Honda knows best what their motors need so why take a chance with other oils.

The oil is expensive but I'm assuming it has the right additive package for their engines.

Regards
Rich