Motorcycle Engine Oils

Engine Oil

“We’ve changed the oil and the oil filters on your motorbike”. Ever heard this line when you came to pick up your motorbike from the shop for a service turn? We bet you did. But what is the function of motor oil? The main function of motor oil is to lubricate the engine and absorb the by-products that are released from a working engine. The oil makes the engine run smoothly and without troubles. When the oil levels are too low, the engine may stop and cause damage to the engine. It is also bad for the engine on the long run.

A frequently occurring misconception is that the motor oil of a motorbike should be changed based on the number of hours that has been ridden with the motorbike. The basic rule that is being used by technicians and bike manufacturers is that the oil should be changed based on the mileage or at yearly service intervals. Now we know when we must change the oil, it is important to know which oil is suitable for your bike. Let’s first check the different kinds of oil that are available:

• Mineral

• Semi synthetic

• Full synthetic

The most basic form of engine oil is mineral oil. This oil is refined from crude oil and is the cheapest variant of motor oil that is available. It is perfectly suitable for engines with a separate gearbox or a dry plate clutch. For riders that handle their engine carefully, warm up the engine and do not use all the horsepower from the block, are fine with high-quality mineral oil.

Semi-synthetic motor oil combines the advantages of full synthetic motor oil with a lower price. In terms of quality, the semi-synthetic motor oil is somewhere between full synthetic and mineral oil. This type of oil is suitable for most engines, as the lubrication and the lifespan of the oil is excellent. Besides, the additives (also known as dopes) are very good. This type of oil usually differs in price due to the different additives that can be used. This type of oil is advisable if the engine block, clutch, and gearbox use the same type of oil.

The last type of oil is the fully synthetic oil. This type of oil has a lower resistance, which means that the fuel consumption is generally lower. This means cost savings on the long term. A lower fuel consumption is also better for the environment. The full synthetic motor oil is thinner, which means that it lubricates more easily, also with cold starts. The engine wear is reduced greatly due to faster lubrication. Also, synthetic motor oil provides more stable thermal properties.

Viscosity: An oil's viscosity is its ability to flow at both low and high temperatures. The low-temperature viscosity, measured at 40°C, follows the letter W for winter. The second set of numbers shows the viscosity/flow rating for higher temperatures, measured at 100°C.

You may also see the initials API when looking at engine oil products. These letters refer to the American Petroleum Institute. Any letters appearing after API relate to the application's use. For example, SM for petrol engines or CF for diesel.

The same applies to JASO (Japanese Automotive Standards Organisation). JASO is the Japanese equivalent of API. Here, you may find the designation FD (two-stroke) or MA (four-stroke) following their initials.

Which oil to put in my bike?

Now you know the different kinds of motor oil, we must answer the following question: How do I know which type of oil to put in my bike. To answer this question, you must look at the manufacturer’s manual. This manual tells you exactly what type of motor oil needs to be used and what volume to put in. An important criterion in that regard is the thickness of the oil. If the type, thickness, and other criterion are known that fit your motorbike, you can also check out different brands. A lot of manufacturers are working together with certain brands, which they will recommend to you by default. However, if all the criteria are the same, you have the option to change brands. This can save a lot of money, as the manufacturers are more likely to recommend more expensive brand.

A last point to consider is to change the oil filter every time the oil is changed. The new filter can filter out more by-products and extends the lifespan of the motor. To understand which filter is needed, you need to check which filter is needed for the specific motorbike. This information can be found as well in the manufacturer’s manual.

XLMOTO Motocross Engine Oils Keep your Engine Spinning

A motocross bike's engine produces instant power at the twist of a wrist. Unfortunately, all this torque comes at a cost, as the oil inside your engine battles to keep 100s of moving parts lubricated. XLMOTO's range of top-quality oils, from motocross 2-stroke oil to 4-stroke motocross oil, guarantees to keep your engine spinning.

Whether you run a 2 or 4-stroke engine, you can choose between three types of motocross engine oil. XLMOTO offers a range of oil to cover all three types; mineral, semi-synthetic and fully synthetic oil.

All three oil types have distinct qualities. Although it's challenging to identify which lubricant an engine uses, riders often have a favourite. For instance, riders running older models tend to prefer mineral oil. Fully synthetic oil is more common in newer engines, while semi-synthetic combining mineral and synthetic oil offers the best of both worlds.