What Is Pro Honda?
Pro Honda is Honda’s official line of oils, fluids, and maintenance chemicals for motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and scooters. Sold primarily through Honda powersports dealers in North America, the Pro Honda brand covers engine oils like GN4 and HP4, fork and transmission oils, brake fluid, coolant, chain care products, and cleaners formulated to meet Honda’s specifications for wet-clutch and high-revving powersports applications.
Contents
Overview and Origins
Developed and distributed by American Honda Motor Co. for its powersports division, Pro Honda serves as the “Honda Genuine” chemical and lubricant portfolio. The line emerged as Honda tailored lubricants to the unique demands of small, high-specific-output engines and integrated wet clutches common in motorcycles and other powersports machines. While many third-party products can meet the same specifications, Pro Honda blends are tuned to Honda’s engineering targets and are frequently referenced in U.S. owner’s manuals and dealer service literature.
What Pro Honda Covers
Pro Honda spans a range of categories designed to maintain performance, reliability, and component longevity across Honda motorcycles, ATVs/UTVs, and scooters. Below is a look at the typical product groups the brand offers.
- Engine oils: GN4 (conventional), HP4 (semi-synthetic), and HP4S (full synthetic) in common viscosities such as 10W-30, 10W-40, and 20W-50, formulated for wet-clutch use
- Transmission and gear oils: specialty lubricants for separate gearboxes and final drives where specified
- Fork and shock fluids: graded fork oils to tune damping and ride quality
- Brake fluids: typically DOT 4 for hydraulic brake systems
- Coolant: powersports-appropriate ethylene glycol coolant compatible with aluminum engines and radiators
- Chain care: chain cleaners and lubes for O-ring/X-ring chains
- Cleaners and care products: items like Pro Honda Spray Cleaner & Polish for bodywork and finishes
- Fuel-system additives: stabilizers and detergents for storage and performance
Together, these categories cover routine service needs from engine longevity and clutch performance to braking consistency, cooling efficiency, and cosmetic maintenance.
Technical Standards and Compatibility
Because many Honda motorcycles use a shared engine-oil sump for the engine, transmission, and wet clutch, friction and additive profiles are critical. Pro Honda engine oils are formulated to protect catalytic converters and clutches while resisting shear in gear meshes.
Below are the core specs commonly associated with Pro Honda oils and fluids, which you should verify against your owner’s manual and the product label.
- JASO MA/MA2: wet-clutch compatibility for motorcycles (reduces clutch slip)
- API service categories appropriate to the model year (e.g., SG/SJ/SL/SM/SN) with controlled friction modifiers
- Viscosity grades matched to Honda’s ambient temperature charts (10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-50, etc.)
- Brake fluid DOT rating (commonly DOT 4) as specified for the braking system
- Fork oil weights that align with Honda suspension tuning guidance
- Coolant that’s silicate-free and aluminum-safe, meeting Honda’s corrosion protection needs
Using fluids that meet or exceed these specs is the primary requirement. In the U.S., warranty coverage cannot be denied solely for using non-Honda-branded fluids, provided they meet Honda’s specifications.
Notable Pro Honda Engine Oils
GN4 (Conventional)
GN4 is Honda’s long-running conventional motorcycle oil designed for durability, clutch compatibility, and stable viscosity under heat. It’s widely recommended for routine street and off-road applications and is a common baseline in service departments.
HP4 (Semi-Synthetic) and HP4S (Full Synthetic)
HP4 adds synthetic base stocks for improved high-temperature stability and cold flow, while HP4S is a fully synthetic option aimed at high-performance and extreme-use scenarios. Both maintain the friction characteristics needed for wet clutches when labeled with the appropriate JASO rating.
Where to Buy and Typical Pricing
Pro Honda products are most commonly available through Honda powersports dealerships and authorized online retailers. Pricing varies by region and product type, but engine oils typically sit at a modest premium to generic motorcycle oils with equivalent certifications, reflecting Honda’s targeted formulations and dealership distribution.
Pros and Considerations
Choosing Pro Honda comes down to convenience, confidence in OEM-matched chemistry, and dealer support. Riders may also consider reputable third-party motorcycle oils and fluids that meet the same published specifications.
- Advantages: OEM-spec formulation, consistent wet-clutch behavior, easy dealer availability, and direct alignment with Honda maintenance schedules
- Considerations: Often priced higher than equivalent-spec aftermarket brands; availability may be dealer-centric in some regions
- Best use-cases: Owners seeking straightforward, manual-aligned servicing; mixed-use riders who want predictable clutch feel; high-heat or high-load conditions where HP4/HP4S can offer benefits
Ultimately, adherence to Honda’s specs and service intervals matters most; Pro Honda is a reliable way to meet those requirements with minimal guesswork.
How It Compares
Pro Honda competes with motorcycle-specific lines from major oil companies that also carry JASO MA/MA2 approvals and appropriate API categories. While performance can be similar on paper, Pro Honda’s value is in Honda’s targeted friction profiles, dealership support, and the simplicity of using a brand tuned to Honda hardware. Some riders prefer alternatives for cost, availability, or brand preference, provided the products match the manual’s specifications.
Practical Tips
For most owners, getting the right product is about matching the manual and their usage. The following pointers can help.
- Check your owner’s manual for viscosity, JASO, and API requirements before buying any oil or fluid.
- If your model has separate engine and transmission sumps, verify each fluid type and capacity; they may differ.
- For hard off-road or high-heat use, consider HP4 or HP4S for added thermal stability.
- Replace brake fluid and coolant at the intervals specified; these often impact performance and longevity as much as oil changes.
- Use motorcycle-specific chain products for O-ring/X-ring chains to avoid seal damage.
Following these basics ensures you’ll get the intended protection and performance whether you choose Pro Honda or an equivalent that meets the same standards.
Summary
Pro Honda is Honda’s official line of powersports oils, fluids, and maintenance chemicals, engineered to meet the specific needs of Honda motorcycles, ATVs/UTVs, and scooters. It covers engine oils (GN4, HP4, HP4S), transmission and fork oils, brake fluid, coolant, chain care, and cleaners, with formulations aligned to JASO MA/MA2 and relevant API categories. While comparable third-party products can be used if they meet Honda’s specs, Pro Honda offers an OEM-matched, dealer-supported option that simplifies maintenance and helps ensure consistent wet-clutch and engine performance.
What is the rarest Honda color?
The rarest Honda color depends on the specific model and production year. For the Honda Civic Type R (EP3), Viva Blue Pearl is considered the rarest, with only 132 cars produced in that color, according to YouTube. For the Honda Element, Midnight Red Pearl and Root Beer Metallic are the rarest, says a Facebook group. For the sixth-generation Civic, Madori is the rarest, followed by Dark Amethyst Pearl, Island Coral Pearl, Maloney Red, and Plum Pearl, according to a YouTube video.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Honda Civic Type R (EP3):
- Viva Blue Pearl: Only available in the final year of production, with 132 cars made according to YouTube.
Honda Element:
- Midnight Red Pearl: A very rare color for the Element, especially on non-SC trims.
- Root Beer Metallic: Another rare color for the Element, often mentioned alongside Midnight Red Pearl.
- Cargo Khaki: A one-year-only color (2005).
- Omni Blue Pearl: Considered a rare color due to its less common production numbers.
Sixth-Generation Civic:
- Madori: Described as a unique and rare color, unlike any other on a factory car.
- Dark Amethyst Pearl (DAP): A dark purple shade.
- Island Coral Pearl: Another rare color, though sometimes considered the ugliest.
- Maloney Red: Only available on the SI model, and quite rare.
- Plum Pearl: Considered a luxurious color.
What is the Honda Pro link?
Unit Pro-Link, though, attaches the top eye to the top of the braced swingarm structure itself. Below the shock is a joined pair of arms at roughly right angles to each other, pivoting on a shaft attached to the bottom of the swingarm.
Who makes Pro Honda oil?
So Honda is sourcing base oil from Idomitsu. And then adding their own proprietary additive package to formulate the finished Honda motor. Oil.
What is in the Honda Pro pack?
A Honda “Pro Pack” is often a term for a dealer-installed accessory bundle, not a factory package, and can include items like splash guards, wheel locks, all-season floor mats, and a cargo tray to protect the vehicle. The exact contents vary by model and dealer, so you must ask your specific dealer to confirm what’s included in their “Pro Pack” or similar accessory packages.
Here’s a breakdown of common “Pro Pack” components:
- Body Protection:
- Splash guards: Help protect the lower body panels from mud, rocks, and road debris.
- Door edge guards: A thin strip applied to the door edge to prevent chips and scratches.
- All-season floor mats: Heavy-duty mats, often with a vehicle logo, designed to catch water, mud, and dirt, protecting the vehicle’s carpet.
- Interior Protection:
- Cargo tray: A specialized, weather-proof tray or mat for the trunk or cargo area to protect the carpeting.
- Security:
- Wheel locks: A special lock and key set that prevents wheel theft.
- Other common items (sometimes included):
- Pinstripes: A thin colored stripe along the side of the vehicle.
- Nitrogen in tires: Filling tires with nitrogen instead of air, though its benefit is debated.
Why the Confusion?
- There is no single, official “Honda Pro Pack”.
- Dealers sometimes create their own bundle of accessories and call it a “Pro Pack” to increase perceived value.
- The contents can vary significantly depending on the dealership and the specific Honda model.
What to do:
- Always ask your dealership: what their specific “Pro Pack” includes before purchasing.
- You can often buy the individual accessories separately if you don’t want the entire bundle.