The various specifications of different motorcycle engine oils you should know
Choosing the right motorcycle engine oil can be challenging. It depends on multiple factors, including your riding style and the engine’s operating conditions.
Choosing the right motorcycle engine oil can be challenging. It depends on multiple factors, including your riding style and the engine’s operating conditions.
When you're mindlessly driving down the road, you probably don't give much thought to what's happening to your motorcycle engine. It's only when it's time for maintenance or repair that most of us start worrying about what kind of motorcycle oil our two-wheelers need. Choosing the right motorcycle lubricant is not easy, especially with those confusing numbers and parameters on the bottle. Here is a concise guide to understanding motorcycle oil ratings and specifications, so you can always choose the best one for your ride.
2T vs 4T motorcycle oil
The first thing to know is that all motorcycle engines are either two-stroke (2T) or four-stroke (4T), the core difference being the number of strokes the piston moves in each cycle.
Two-stroke motorcycle oil
For a 2T engine, the piston generates power every two strokes. These engines are cheaper to run and much lighter than four-stroke engines, but have some drawbacks such as inefficient fuel consumption, unnecessary vibration, higher environmental pollution, etc. The 2T engine is most commonly used in mopeds, bike, go-karts and other small vehicles
2T motorcycles require special 2T motorcycle lubricants, which come in various oil bases such as petroleum, castor, synthetic and semi-synthetic. The most advanced 2T synthetic oils also have additives that improve the performance of motorcycle oils (fuel stabilizers, detergents, antiwear agents, biodegradable ingredients, etc.) and provide additional benefits.
Four-stroke motorcycle oil
A 4T engine works the same way as a two-stroke engine, but power is generated by every four strokes of the piston. These engines are more efficient and less polluting than 2T engines, making them a standard solution for all modern motorcycle engines.
4T engines require special four-stroke motorcycle oil, which does not burn with motorcycle fuel but circulates around the engine, lubricating all components. This type of motorcycle lubrication also reduces heat and filters out impurities. It is crucial to choose a quality engine oil like FLYSAK's R7 and R9 4T, which has a high quality base and a variety of additives to improve performance.
Monograde and Multigrade oils
The second thing to pay attention to when buying or looking for motorcycle engine oil is monograde or multigrade motorcycle oil.
Monograde oil
These oils are not standard for motorcycles, but are worth mentioning for most new drivers. When you look at the oil label, you can see that monograde oil is only labeled with one number, such as 40 or 10W, according to SAE standards. This means that this oil is suitable for operating within a very small temperature window (in this case, whether at a high temperature of around 30 degrees or a low temperature of around 10 degrees). Most motorcycles exist and operate in a variety of climates, so choosing a formula that provides protection over a wider range of temperatures is crucial.
Multigarde oil
Multigrade oil (now used in most modern motorcycles) is marked by two numbers. If we look at the FLYSAK R7 or R9 Ester fuly synthetic 4T 15W-50 oil, the first number illustrates the performance of the oil at low temperatures and the second number describes the performance of the oil at high temperatures. Multigrade oils have a higher performance range and are suitable for most 4T engines. Plus, they don't have to change depending on the climate outside, and you can rest assured that your motorcycle will work perfectly all year round.
Mineral oil, semi-synthetic oil and fully synthetic oil
Most oil bottles also contain a parameter stating the base oil used in a particular product, such as mineral, semi-synthetic, and synthetic.
Mineral oil
Mineral oil is the most basic type of engine oil and is usually made from products or by-products of petroleum processing. Mineral oil is suitable for small engines, and most manufacturers will recommend that new motorcycle owners choose mineral oil because it has a good protective effect on the engine.
Semi synthetic oil
These oils are mix of mineral and synthetic oils. The benefit of these oils is that they contain the best in the world - good protection and high performance - all on offer in products such as durable 4T motorcycle oil.
Fully synthetic oil
Fully synthetic oil is the best choice. They are made with a pure polymer oil used exclusively for high-performance motorcycles. Any motorcycle with a large engine capacity (more than 200cc) should use fully synthetic oil. These advanced oils work much better than mineral and semi-synthetic oils. They provide excellent lubrication and protection for engines under greater pressure.
Their main disadvantage is their high price. However, consider the high performance of your two-wheeler as a long-term investment.
Can I use passenger car engine oil on my Motorcycle?
Car engine oil and motorcycle engine oil are not interchangeable.
Therefore, the use of specialty motorcycle oil is always a better choice than automobile engine oil.
There are some key differences between the two types of lubricants.
The first is transmission. That is, motorcycles use engine oil to cool the transmission. In passenger cars, this role is performed by the transmission and ATF oil. Automotive oils often contain friction modifiers to improve engine performance, while motorcycle oils do not. When used in motorcycle transmissions, these substances can clog the system.
Secondly, car engine oil contains much more detergent additives than motorcycle oil. If used in motorcycle engines, they can cause the accumulation of deposits and harm their components.
Finally, motorcycle engines rev more than car engines, which means they need oil to improve heat resistance and wear protection.
These types of engines are also different from a mechanical point of view. Motorcycle engines contain clutches and higher load gearboxes that require better cooling capacity and shear stability to function properly.
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