Using your bike now and then, from little to most important tasks, the health and time left for effective functionality of your bike might concern you. Do you know everything that you should know about engine oil? You might wonder what there is to know about it. Well, then, do you know the right way to choose the correct type of oil for your motorcycle engine? Do you understand the engine oil grades?
Covering these and more such details to ensure you get maximum benefits for your motorcycle engine; here are a few worthy insights for you.
Types of Engine Oil
There are three types of engine oil categorised based on synthetic oil concentration. These are:
Mineral Engine Oil
Mineral engine oil is the basic and conventional engine oil that finds limited usage. They are suitable for 80 to 125 cc motorcycles or commuter bikes. These types of oil also hold low resistance to heat and oxidation. The mineral engine oils are cheap and unrefined and last less. Hence, they require change at frequent intervals.
Semi-synthetic Oil
It is a mix of conventional and synthetic oil, and hence, its quality lies between two. It is of better quality than mineral engine oil and hence offers better oxidation resistance. These are suitable for 150 cc to 200 cc bikes and power commuters, which are medium-level engines.
Full Synthetic Oil
This type of oil is engineered and manufactured to provide high compression ratios. They commonly find use in high-capacity motorcycles and have the best quality anti-friction capability. The fully synthetic oil is smooth because it comprises a uniform structure at the molecular level. These oils are used in 250 cc bikes or more, i.e. for the ones with high engine capacities. One of the characteristics of fully synthetic oil is that it does not break or decompose under extreme pressure.
Functions of Engine Oil
Engine oil does more than just lubrication. Here is what else it does:
Cleaning
Circulating across the engine, it dissipates the heat generated through friction and combustion in the engine. The oil releases the heat through the lubrication circuit.
Protection
The engine protects against corrosion from acid and oxygen by acting as a barrier from the sensitive parts.
Cleaning
Engine oils are also capable of cleaning up debris buildup and preventing its accumulation. The flow of oil takes those contaminants to an oil filter for trapping them.
Criteria to Choose Bike Engine Oil
Here are the details to consider when finding the right type of oil for your motorcycle:
Bike and Oil Information: You must be aware of the bike’s model and the conditions under which you use it. You must also know the types of motor oil available in your market. They are of three types and are categorised into grades based on the viscosity, as covered in the article.
Manufacturer’s Recommendations: The choice of oil must be mainly based on or influenced by the instruction manual. It will contain recommendations for motor oil.
Riding Style: You should analyse the common reasons for bike usage. The simple form of oils is better for daily commutation, but the better quality is essential for long rides or rides in extreme conditions.
Standards: The oil in question must meet the standards set by the organisation. Hence, the engine oil should either meet or exceed the American Petroleum Institute (API) and Japanese Automotive Standards Organization (JASO) requirements.
Engine Oil Grades
The general method to grade motorcycle engine oil is XW-XX, where X is the number, and W refers to the viscosity of oil flow at zero degrees Fahrenheit. The XX indicates the viscosity of oil at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The lower value of X represents the higher resistance to oil thinning at lower temperatures, making it an appropriate choice. Common motor oil grades you must have come across are 10W20, 5W30 and so on. Find here the suitable engine oil grade depending on the bike’s mileage.
| Mileage | Engine oil grade |
| 100 cc, 125cc, and 150 cc | 10W30 |
| 125 cc to 150 cc | 10W40 |
| 150 cc | 20W40 |
Conclusion
The choice of motorcycle motor oil decides the life of the engine. There are different variations in availability, ranging from its composition to grades. It is recommended that the two wheeler engine oil be chosen as per the criteria with a main focus on the bike’s capacity and manufacturer’s recommendation.
