Choosing the right engine oil is essential when keeping your motorcycle in top shape. Motorcycle engine oil is different from car engine oil because it has to do more jobs.
It must work well for the engine and gearbox and help the clutch work properly. Fubex Lubricants can help you choose the right oil for your bike to avoid engine damage and save money.
Our labels are easy to read, helping you choose the right oil for your motorcycle to keep running smoothly in all weather conditions. Fubex can answer any questions about motorcycle engine oil to maximise every ride.
Importance of Using the Right Type of Engine Oil for Motorcycles
Picking the right motorcycle engine oil can be challenging because of many choices. Motorcycles need special oil because it has to work for the engine and the gearbox. It also helps the wet clutch work well, which car oil can’t do.
You must also choose between synthetic and mineral oil and check other important details. Let’s break it down.
Choosing the best engine oil is easy with Fubex Lubricants. Our special oils keep your engine running smoothly and protect it in any weather. We have a new, easy-to-read label to help you pick the right oil for your motorcycle. At Fubex Lubricants, we want to help you go further and achieve more.
What is Motorcycle Engine Oil?
Engine oil is super essential for your motorcycle. Without it, the bike can’t run. It helps in many ways, like keeping parts slippery, cooling the engine, sealing parts, cleaning, stopping rust, and making less noise.
Choosing the right oil can be challenging. It would help if you thought about how you ride and what conditions your bike is in.
Types of Other Engine Oils
Mineral Oil
This is an essential oil made from natural sources. It’s usually the cheapest, but it doesn’t last as long or work like other oils.
Synthetic Oil
This oil is made in a lab to work well in hot and cold weather. It helps your engine run smoothly and lasts a long time.
Semi-Synthetic Oil
This is a mix of regular mineral oil and synthetic oil. It has some benefits of synthetic oil but costs less.
High-Mileage Oil
This oil is made for older engines that have been used a lot. It keeps the engine running well and can reduce leaks.
Diesel Oil
This oil is used for diesel engines, like those in trucks. It handles the unique needs of these engines.
Differences Between Motorcycle Engine Oil and Other Engine Oils
First, motorcycles need oil that can handle heat well. The engine in your bike gets hotter than in a car, so the oil can get thin and not work as well. You need oil that stays thick and strong even when it gets hot.
Motorcycle oil does more jobs than car oil. The engine and transmission use different oils in cars because they are separate. However, the engine and transmission are in motorcycles, so they use the same oil. This oil has to protect and keep the engine, clutch, and transmission smooth.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Motorcycle Engine Oil
Here are some things to think about when choosing oil for your motorcycle:
Read the Factory Manual
The bike’s manual tells you the best type of oil to use. The people who made your bike know what oil works best with it. Following their advice is the safest choice.
Choose Good-Quality Oil
To keep your bike running well, pick high-quality oil. Don’t go for inexpensive options—get the best oil to take good care of your bike.
Check the Oil Grades
Choosing the right oil can be confusing. Look for the ‘W’ on the oil can and the number next to it. This tells you how thick or thin the oil is.
For example, 10W is one type of oil, and 10W40 is another. Lower numbers help the engine start in cold weather. Ask your bike’s manual or an expert for the best choice.
Check the Viscosity
Viscosity shows how thick or runny the oil is. Some oil is thick and sticky, while other oil is thinner. Your bike needs oil that flows effortlessly to work well. Picking the right thickness helps your bike run better.
Check the Additives
Additives keep your engine clean and make the oil work better. They remove dirt and stop the oil from becoming too acidic. These unique parts of the oil also clean carbon that builds up in the engine.
Look for Compliance
Different places have rules about what oil should be like. Make sure the oil you choose follows these rules. Check the label to see if it meets the standards for your area.
Think About How You Ride
How you use your bike affects which oil you need. If you mostly ride your bike for short trips, use regular or semi-synthetic oil that manufacturers recommend. But if you ride a lot or in challenging places, you should use synthetic oil to keep your engine healthy.
Change the Oil Filter
Changing the oil filter is essential, just like picking the correct oil. The filter catches dirt and other junk that can harm your engine. Be sure to change the oil filter every time you change the oil to keep your bike running well.
Viscosity Ratings & Climate Considerations
The Oil Viscosity Index (VI) shows how temperature changes oil thickness. When it’s hot, the oil gets thinner. When it’s cold, the oil gets thicker.
So, the process of making oil and its quality are essential. They help ensure the oil stays the right thickness, whether hot or cold.
We’ve discussed how oil thickness changes with temperature. Some oils get thin quickly when it’s hot. But other oils stay thicker even when it gets hot. The oils that stay thicker are better because they remain more stable.
Before you buy oil, check your engine’s manual to see what type of oil it needs. Look for oil with the right thickness for your engine.
Think about the weather where you are and how you use your equipment. Also, make sure to pick the correct weight of oil. Using the right oil helps your engine run better and last longer.
API (American Petroleum Institute) Specifications
- The American Petroleum Institute (API) sets standards for motor oil. They use two letters to show what type of oil it is:
- “S” (Service) is for gasoline engines in cars. Newer “S” oils are better and include all the benefits of older “S” oils. So, if your manual says API SN, an API SP oil will work well, too.
- “C” (Commercial) is for diesel engines in trucks. Newer “C” oils are also better and include all the benefits of older “C” oils. So, if your manual says API CI-4, an API CK-4 oil will also protect your engine.
- “F” is for special oils used in some diesel engines to meet new greenhouse gas rules. These oils, like API FA-4, differ from “C” oils. Check your engine’s manual to see if you should use API FA-4 oil.
Synthetic Vs. Conventional Oils
Conventional motor oil comes from crude oil dug up from the ground. Scientists make synthetic oil in a lab.
Regular oil has molecules that are all different sizes, so it might not flow well in both hot and cold temperatures. This can be a problem when the engine gets hot.
Synthetic oil has evenly sized molecules, so it flows well whether the engine is hot or cold. It helps protect the engine better and handles heat and stress for longer.
Both types of oil have added chemicals to help them flow better, clean the engine, and stop rust and foam. Some oils mix both regular and synthetic oils.
Bottom Line
Choosing the right motorcycle oil is vital to keeping your bike in top shape and running smoothly. To choose the right oil for your bike, learn about the different types, check the manual, and think about how you ride.
Remember, using the right oil helps protect your engine, improve performance, and extend the life of your motorcycle. At Fubex Lubricants, we have oils that help your bike run smoothly and perform well. So, pick the correct oil and enjoy a smoother, more reliable ride!
FAQs
Q1: What are the main differences between motorcycle engine oil and regular car engine oil?
Ans: Motorcycle oil needs to have the right amount of friction to work well. Manufacturers make car oil to reduce friction. For cars, there’s a special fluid called ATF that helps the transmission work properly before you drive.
Q2: How does using the wrong engine oil type affect a motorcycle’s performance and longevity?
Ans: To keep your motorcycle running well, pick the correct oil. If the oil is too thin, it won’t stick to the moving parts in the engine properly. This can make the engine get too hot and wear out faster. So, always choose the right oil to keep your bike in good shape!
Q3: Can I use higher-grade engine oil in a bike?
Ans: Better engine oil can help your motorcycle’s engine last longer. It stops rust and keeps the engine parts from wearing out. If you’re not sure which oil to use, ask someone at your service centre for help.