Did you ever pay attention to how smooth or rough your motorcycle feels when you shift through the gears? It is always discouraging and, in some instances – dangerous – to bike, especially when the gears are clunky or when shifting gears is a difficult exercise.
Other ways can help contribute to finer gearbox transitions, but one that is very important is making sure the motorcycle uses the right engine oil. But how does engine oil make gear shifting better? Let’s find out!
What Does Motorcycle Engine Oil Do?
Motorcycle engine oil is useful in ensuring that the engine, gearbox and clutch part of a motorcycle are well lubricated. In this essence, it means it facilitates all the components to slide past each other without much friction.
Reduce contact pressure so that the engine’s contact components are subjected to low wear and tear and, more crucially, smoother gear transition.
Whenever you shift, especially to the first gear, the clutch and the gearbox both come into play. A good engine oil makes everything run more efficiently so that there is no more clunky or rough feeling.
This is why it’s super important that you get the right type of oil to use in your bike or engine and make sure to change it in due time.
Types of Motorcycle Engine Oil
There are various types of engine oils, and each type works a bit differently in how it helps with gear shifts:
- Mineral Oil: This is made from refined crude oil and is usually good for older bikes or bikes that don’t need high-performance oil. It’s affordable but may not offer the best long-lasting smoothness when changing gears.
- Semi-Synthetic Oil: This oil is a mix of mineral and synthetic oil. It offers better protection and smoother shifting than regular mineral oil. It’s a good choice for many motorcycles because it provides good balance.
- Fully Synthetic Oil: This oil is made in labs and is the highest-quality oil you can use for your motorcycle. Synthetic oils work best for high-performance bikes or those used for racing. They give you the smoothest gear shifts and the best engine protection.
Why Gear Shifts Can Feel Rough
At other times, it may not be easy to switch between gears with a lot of smoothness, and it could be quite clunky. This could happen for a few reasons:
- Old Oil: After some time, oil becomes thicker and ceases to have that lubricating effect. This means you can expect it is not going to be as effective in terms of low friction for gear changes. If the oil is not changed as recommended, then you’ll find the gear shifts have become rough.
- Wrong Oil Type: If you put car oil instead in your motorcycle, the clutch may not function properly as it is supposed to. Motorcycle oil is unique, or, as they are often referred to, synthetic motorcycle oils, since they can work on both the engine and gearbox.
- Temperature Changes: When the oil becomes very hot, it can thicken, making gear shifts improper. On the other hand, if the oil is thick in formulation and cold, it calls for the starting of the engine and shifting of gears. This is why it is also relevant to select an appropriate oil with the right viscosity – the thickness of the oil.
How the Right Oil Improves Gear Shifts
Using the right motorcycle oil makes shifting gears feel smoother for several reasons:
Reduces Friction
Oil makes the parts within the gearbox slide against each other with ease. When the cycles have low resistance it will be smooth and easy to change them without feeling noisy.
Keeps the Clutch Working
The clutch is used for shifting gears in your moped. Every clutch needs oil for it to function optimally; if a clutch does not have enough oil or if the oil that is used is improper, it will develop a slipping motion or wear out quickly. Correct oil ensures that the parts in the clutch are well lubricated, thus efficient shifting.
Maintains the Right Thickness
The best oils for motorcycles contain something called a viscosity index that allows them to remain thick when it is hot but thin when the weather is cold. This ensures that oil finds its way freely in all weathers, thus giving a smoother feel to gear shifts.
Choosing the Right Motorcycle Oil
Choosing the right type of oil for your bike depends on a few things:
- Oil Type: You can choose between mineral oils, semi-synthetic ones, and synthetic ones, as was said earlier. Synthetic engine oils provide the highest level of performance and the highest quality of gear change, as a rule.
- Viscosity Grade: Common motorcycle oil is 10w-40 grade of oil. This tells you how viscous the oil is as well as the hot temperature. Most bikes are best lubed with 10w-40 because they can be used in almost any condition.
- Additives: Some of the oils contain certain substances which are incorporated to deal with friction and wear. Clutches and gears should be smooth to operate hence the need to engage oils with friction modifiers.
- Regular Oil Changes: In spite of the type of oil you prefer to select, you have to change it periodically. Old oil being used in gearboxes loses its capability to protect and or reduce shock loads during shifting, and therefore, new oil is always key.
Benefits of Smoother Gear Shifts
Having smoother gear shifts makes riding your motorcycle much more enjoyable and safer. Here are some benefits:
- Better Control: When the gears shift smoothly, you can focus more on riding and less on fighting with the gear lever. This gives you better control over the bike.
- Less Wear and Tear: Smoother gear shifts put less stress on your motorcycle engine and gearbox, which means your bike’s parts will last longer.
- Improved Performance: A well-lubricated engine and gearbox run more efficiently, helping you get the most out of your bike’s performance.
- Prevents Clutch Slippage: The right oil helps prevent the clutch from slipping, especially when engaging first gear or making quick gear changes.
Bottom Line
Thus, can the motorcycle engine oil contribute to the enhancement of shifting toward the next gear? Absolutely! Depending on the type of oil you put in your motorcycle, say synthetic or semi-synthetic oils, as well as the proper changing of these oils, you are likely to have a better quality of gear shifting, making your journey more comfortable and safe.
In fact, whether you’re climbing through dense city traffic or just cruising on a long highway trip, the kind of engine oil you use has a great role to play in the performance of your bike.
Yes, at Fubex Lubricant, we have quality oil products to meet your motorcycle needs to keep you on the road. The correct oil not only shields your engine but also lets you get the most out of your drive with smooth shifting gears.
FAQs
Q1: Can using a specific brand of motorcycle engine oil guarantee smoother gear shifts?
Ans: Using a certain brand of motorcycle engine oil can help make your gear shifts smoother, but it doesn’t always guarantee it. The oil helps reduce friction and protect the engine, which can make gear shifting easier.
However, other things are also important, like how well you take care of your bike, how often you change the oil, and picking the right type of oil. So, while oil can help, it’s not the only thing that makes gear shifts smoother.
Q2: Can an oil change help with shifting gears?
Ans: Yes, changing the oil can make shifting gears easier. If you have trouble with gears sticking or not moving smoothly, it could be because the oil is old or there’s not enough of it. You might also hear strange sounds like grinding or clunking when you try to shift. These are signs that it’s time to change the oil to help the gears work better.
