Motorcycle oil is a unique form of motor oil. It’s formulated to provide optimum performance in the most challenging environments motorcycles encounter.
Because a motorcycle’s engine runs at extreme temperatures and under extreme stress, special oils need to be used to protect it. That’s why we have listed below 5 of the best motorcycle oils to fit any rider, and we also answer:
- Can motorcycle oil make a difference?
- What’s the difference between motorcycle oil and car oil?
- What do the engine oil codes mean?
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It's simply one of the best engine oils available for most bikes and has been tested over many years. You'll notice a massive difference in the running of your bike. In most cases, it will be; smoother, quieter, and more responsive, especially if you didn't have proper oil before.
Since Castrol is a strong brand, they spend a lot of money on R&D, and this oil is tested to resist thickening at high temperatures and maintain oil viscosity to ensure maximum engine performance.
What we like
Strong brand: Castrol has a long and proud history of developing motorcycle lubricants and working with bike manufacturers and racing teams to push the limit of oil technology.
Racing oil: During over 40,000 km of racing under harsh conditions, 94% of the initial maximum power produced by the engine was retained, providing racing performance without compromising engine protection.
Better performance: New Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10W-50 completed a 5.2 km test cycle 2.2 seconds quicker than a competitor.
Does different motorcycle oil make a difference?
Yes. It’s like there is a difference from motorcycle oil to car oil. You can get different grades that perform better on your bike. If you have a racing bike and want to squeeze that bit of extra performance, then an oil design is a must.
However, generally speaking, you probably won’t feel much difference in the wide range of oils, and some might perform better in specific bikes, so it’s hard to say. If you are used to getting a cheap oil, why not go for our top pick, racing oil from Castrol, and see if you notice a difference.
Motorcycle oil vs car oil
Motorcycle engines are different from car engines. Most cars have a single carburettor — motorcycles often have two or three carburettors. As such, the motorcycle oil needs to be thinner because it’s being run through the engine quicker and at higher speeds.
Motorcycle oil is also less viscous so that it isn’t as thick when it’s circulating through the engine. It also needs to run at much higher temperatures because of the extra revs a bike produces.
What do the engine oil codes mean?
Let’s face it, and most people don’t know which oil to pick because of all the different numbers and letters on the bottles. The video below will help clarify some things.
How often do I change motorcycle oil?
Whether you use mineral, semi-synthetic, or fully synthetic oil determines how often you should change your engine oil. The following is a rough guide for normal riding in non-extreme environments:
- Mineral oil – 2,000 miles
- Semi-synthetic oil – 6,000 miles
- Fully synthetic oil – 10,000 miles
Synthetic engine oils are more expensive than mineral oils. Still, they will provide you with more mileage and shelf life and protective benefits that reduce parts, maintenance, and replacement costs.
Motorcycle Oil Reviews
This is a good quality oil and at an affordable price. It's perfect for 4-stroke engines with a gearbox or no gearbox, wet clutch or dry clutch, or exhaust gas after-treatment: catalytic converters, air injection into the exhaust pipe. So, it can also be used for Street & road bikes, trails, off-road bikes, ATVs, and mopeds.
What we like
Great brand: Innovations and efforts to improve the performance of the company’s products and services ensure the development of the brand and its global deployment.
Designed specifically for modern 4-stroke engines, the product meets the ever-increasing requirements of modern engines. Under normal operating conditions, the semi-synthetic formula exceeds the requirements of leading manufacturers. You can ask for a safety data sheet available on request.
What we like
Motorcycle brand: Putoline Oil offers lubricants and maintenance materials of the highest quality and only supplies products for motorised two-wheelers, which makes us unique!
Years of research: Years of experience combined with continuous research results in the best price/quality ratio.
Manufacturing: Putoline makes products that guarantee consistently high quality.
Electrostatic forces allow the electrosyntec to bond molecules with low friction to metal surfaces, unlocking hidden power and ensuring long-term performance retention. The stay-in-grade formula protects engines and transmissions. The SAE 10W-40 viscosity range, widely recommended, provides reliable winter and summer performance while providing essential anti-wear protection during the cold start phase.
What we like
Universal: Works for high-performance 4-stroke motorcycle engines On-Road and Off-Road.
Work on different areas of a bike: Provides good pitting protection in gearboxes and transmissions where engine oil technology is specified.
Anti-wear: Provides excellent anti-wear performance for stressed components
You'll be pleased with this oil from Shell. It has proven to be trouble-free for riders, with the wet clutch operating smoothly and the oil in the sight glass appearing clean. Most motorcycle manufacturers approve Shell Advance motorcycle engine oil. Furthermore, it contains a motorcycle-specific additive pack with Active Cleansing Technology.
What we like
Power retention: When oil degrades, it can cause friction that reduces engine efficiency and leads to power loss. Shell Advance Ultra doesn’t degrade between oil changes, so your bikes can perform at their best
Fuel economy: Fuel efficiency is also improved by Shell Advance Ultra, which minimises deposit build-up that can result in frictional losses. Shell Advance Ultra allows for better power transfer, leading to better fuel economy.
Oil drain interval: Further, oil changes volatility and oil oxidation lead to oil degradation. Shell Advance Ultra has lower volatility and better oxidation stability, so it does not degrade within 6000km, double the typical oil drain interval.
Verdict
Oil is one of the most important things that regularly goes into your bike. It keeps everything running smoothly and helps your bike become more responsive. Our top is the Castrol POWER1 Racing oil. For many reasons, one being it’s designed for racing bikes and better performance rather than just a standard oil. However, riders also widely use it and have the most reviews to prove it.
We hope this article has introduced you to some new products and clarified which one is best for you. Happy riding. Catch you next time.