Let me address each in order. Cobrashoch: Rings respond to viscosity, regardless of the
oil's basestock. The major benefits of a Mobil 1 are low temp pumpability, quicker upper engine lubrication at start up(start up wear is 80% of all engine wear), greater resistance to oxidation(very valuable in high HP engines), reduced wear associated with boundary lubrication, extended
oil life, greater dispersant capacility(read cleaner engine over time), very high viscosity index(less reduction in viscosity as
oil temp increases), stay in grade multivis, and many more. You will note that lubricity is not a significant benefit over mineral oils, there is some however, but not much, the coeficient of friction is similar. Without ZDDP, your camshaft would be toast in no time flat(no pun intended). For your info, while other antiwear additives have been used in motor oils, ZDDP is the most cost effective. In fact, the industry is in an uproar at present over the proposed reduction of ZDDP(or
zinc in particular) for the forthcoming GF-4 spec. The problem is backward compatability with older engines, and a real concern. The reduction in ZDDP is aimed at reducing catalyst fouling, not to get you you to change your oil sooner. Additionally, ZDDP is an anti-oxidation additive that reduces the amount of yucky things in your oil when you change it. The oil utilized in the wet clutches of motorcycles it there to cool the clutches, not lubricate anything, so actually any Mobil 1 type of oil(PAO) would work just fine.
Cobra #42: What do you think the term Initial Fill means? I don't know, but why would a GM, or any other manufacturer run an engine and then completely change the entire oil charge out, just to turnaround and recommend something else? What a waste of oil, anyway, the car companies do not break in engines before they ship. There is no longer a break in period as we used to know it.
Sorry guys, still an old wives tale.