At highway speeds, a motorcycle chain spins so fast that regular oil would be thrown off by centrifugal force within minutes. Modern motorcycle chain lubricants contain tackiness additives that make them sticky enough to resist being flung away, even at speeds over 100 mph. This is why motorcycle chain lube feels different from regular oil—it needs to grip the metal while still allowing smooth movement. Some riders in racing apply their chain lube while the chain is warm, helping it penetrate deeper before cooling and becoming tackier.