The Best Motorcycle Oil for Your Motorcycle’s Hardworking Engine
-
Amsoil ENG & Trans Motorcycle Oil -
Red Line 20W/50 Motorcycle Oil -
Honda 08213-10W30 Motorcycle Oil -
MaximaHiflofiltro VTTOCK12 Complete Motorcycle Oil -
Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Oil -
Buyer's Guide
Traditionally, API rated automotive engine oils have been successfully substituted for motorcycle oils, with little or no immediate problems. However, over the long haul, automotive engine oils break down faster in a motorcycle. This is due to the higher rev range of a motorcycle engine, and the fact that an engine oil must also be used to lubricate the transmission and the "wet clutch" design inherent on most modern motorcycles.
Essentially, an automotive engine oil is forced to work harder by doing triple duty lubrication when it was only designed for single duty engine lubrication. This is where a motorcycle oil fills the gap. These oils are specifically designed for the multiple tasks of engine, transmission and wet clutch lubrication. The best of them will maintain their viscosity longer, break down less over a longer period of time and limit metal on metal wear to nearly imperceptible levels.
This list of best motorcycle oils in 2022 addresses all of those specifications for the best motorcycle oil available.
Here are the best motorcycle oils of 2022
Amsoil ENG & Trans Motorcycle Oil - Best Motorcycle Oil Overall
If you want the best, you go with AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motorcycle Oil. Although Amsoil makes other viscosities of motorcycle oils, like a straight 60-weight and a 10W-40 weight among others, their 10W-30 weight is the most versatile of the bunch and will work with virtually any motorcycle made. This is a true synthetic motorcycle oil, and synthetic means slippery. The slipperier the oil, the less wear there will be on internal friction parts and the longer the engine will last, period. Because it is so good, you can double the manufacturers drain intervals for engine oil changing. That makes AMSOIL a bit more cost effective over the long run.
There are many scientific tests that will determine just how good a motorcycle oil is. Ss scar testing records the amount of scarring in metal to metal contact under load. NOACK volatility is also a good test, which tests how hot an oil gets before it boils off and no longer lubricates. You can also study the the oil's "total base number," which is used to understand how many wear-causing particles an oil will hold yet still remain effective. In all of these categories, AMSOIL finished at the top.
The reality here is this. Virtually every other motorcycle oil will give your motorcycle superior lubrication over an automotive engine oil. But if you want the best motorcycle oil for your bike, then you want AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-30 Motorcycle Oil. Although it may be difficult to find because it is distributed by independent dealers, there is nothing better than AMSOIL.
Red Line 20W/50 Motorcycle Oil - Runner Up
For the second best motorcycle oil in this category, here is one that you may be unfamiliar with. It's Red Line 20W/50 MOTORCYCLE OIL. Red Line comes in second to AMSOIL in nearly every engine oil lubrication test there is. Which means that this is an extremely good motorcycle engine oil that will keep your bike running efficiently and powerfully for the life of the engine.
This oil is good enough to stay in your bike for extended drain intervals. It just doesn't break down as fast as a conventional motor oil, and that makes it a bit more cost effective to use. There are several different viscosities of Red Line, but the 20W-50 is the most versatile and will work in virtually every bike made.
If you like the underdog here, then consider using Red Line 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil in your bike engine. It's the best motorcycle oil at this party, as long as AMSOIL doesn't show up.
Honda 08213-10W30 Motorcycle Oil - Honorable Mention
If you are traditionalist and like regular non-synthetic motorcycle oil, then Pro Honda GN4 4-Stroke Motor Oil 10W-30 is the one for you. This is one of the non-synthetic oils that compares favorably with the highest rated synthetic brands out there. Granted, it doesn't give the protection that a synthetic does, it isn't as slippery as a synthetic, and it will need to be changed at manufacturers recommended intervals. But, this is still an incredibly good oil for any motorcycle engine and it rates high on this list.
The best part about Honda GN-4 is that is costs about half as much as the top rated synthetic blends. So it won't break your bank account every time you use it. And since it is a 10W-30 weight engine oil, it will work in virtually every motorcycle engine made. Many bikers of all types swear by this stuff, even though it isn't a synthetic and isn't as highly rated. Make no mistake about it, this is a true high-quality motorcycle engine oil that will keep your engine running clean and mean for the duration.
Even though this is a non-synthetic formula, you won't sacrifice quality when using Pro Honda GN-4 Motorcycle Oil. Yes, it's that good.
MaximaHiflofiltro VTTOCK12 Complete Motorcycle Oil - Consider
Next on the list is another conventional formula called Maxum Maxima Racing Oil Premium 5W-30 Weight, Motorcycle Specific Motor Oil. This is another regular type of motorcycle oil that compares favorably with the slipperier synthetic oils in this list.
It rates slightly below the Honda non-synthetic engine oil, but that doesn't mean Maxum is an inferior product. It will work well with virtually any motorcycle engine to give you the power, efficiency and longevity that you would expect in a conventional type of oil.
Maxum 5W-30 weight oil will cost about half as much as a synthetic, although it isn't as durable and will need to be changed according to the intervals suggested by the motorcycle manufacturer. However, as long as those intervals are followed, Maxum Motorcycle Specific motor oil will be there for the life of your motorcycle engine.
Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Oil - Best Motorcycle Oil
Arguably the best synthetic motor oil for your car or truck, Mobil 1 94001 Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil also makes a darn fine motorcycle oil for your bike engine. Mobil 1 synthetic will be the easiest motor oil to find for your motorcycle needs, yet it will cost a bit less than the top grade of synthetic motorcycle oils out there.
Regardless of the fact that it is made for automotive and truck use, it is still a synthetic motor oil and it will give any bike engine all of those synthetic properties. That means it will reduce wear and friction while slightly increasing gas mileage and performance.
Although not a true motorcycle engine oil, many people use this in their bikes and will use nothing else. Couple that with the aforementioned price compared to strictly synthetic motorcycle oils, then add in the fact that it's available almost everywhere, and that makes Mobil 1 Synthetic Engine Oil one of the best engine oils to use in your bike.
Buyer's Guide
The motorcycle engine is made from several parts like carbon brushes, axles, and many more. These mechanical parts are in constant motion to provide the output to the transmission system, which then causes motion in the motorcycle. Due to constant friction, the engine parts generate heat which causes faster wear and tear, thereby reducing the efficiency. To prevent friction and wear and tear, lubricating motorcycle oil is used.
However, there are several motorcycle oils present in the market. That’s why choosing the best lubricating oil is so difficult. As the engine oil is the lifeline of the two-wheeler vehicle, we have created a detailed buying guide to help you get your hands on the best lubricant for your bike.
What Are The Different Types Of Motorcycle Oil Available In The Market?
There are mainly three types of motorcycle oil available in the market. These oils not only vary in composition but also in features. To give you a better clarification, here we have discussed those three motorcycle engine oil types.
Synthetic Oils
Manufactured in factories with crude oil as the major additive, synthetic oils are quite costly. However, there are several variations in this type of oil, especially in terms of viscosity. Usually, these lubricants are less dense and hence offer almost no resistance to the fluid flow motion. As a result, the engine parts are lubricated properly, thereby reducing the friction.
Mineral Oils
Mineral oils are made from crude oil, while several mineral additives are added to the product. This helps increase the alkalinity of the motorcycle engine oil, which neutralizes any acids present in between the engine parts. The mineral oils have high viscosity, and hence, they are better for the new bikes where the engine parts are not rusted and need less lubrication.
Semi-Synthetic Oils
For engines having a displacement capacity of 125 ccs to 180 ccs, semi-synthetic oils are the best choice. They are formed by combining the mineral oils and the synthetic oils to establish a proper viscosity level which can keep the engine safe and lubricated in high-performance motorcycles.
What Factors Should You Consider Before Choosing A Motorcycle Oil?
Compliance Marks
Before buying the motorcycle oil, it is your responsibility to check whether the product is meeting the general compliance standards or not. In addition, there will be markings present on the body of the product like SAE or JASO, which are globally recognized compliances for bike lubricants. Therefore, you should shortlist only those products which are labeled with either of these two compliances.
Bike Riding Style
Different bikers have different riding styles. For racers and sport bikers, the riding style is aggressive and hard. Hence, the engine needs to produce high output to provide more speed and efficiency. Due to this, the engine parts suffer more wear and tear, which is why you will need synthetic motor oil. This lubricant can resist molecular breakdowns even if the engine is heated to an extreme temperature. On the contrary, bikers who use motorcycles for daily commutes drive slowly and smoothly. Hence, less effort is applied to the engine, which means you can buy the mineral oil without any worry.
Endurance Against Temperature
You need to be very careful while choosing the motorcycle oil since its viscosity depends on the engine temperature. At high temperatures, the oil molecules can break down. Therefore, you need to ensure that the product can endure high temperatures and resist breakdown. Similarly, for very cold places, the oil must have enough viscosity to avoid freezing between the engine parts.
Oil Viscosity
Oil viscosity is used to define the resistance of the fluid against flow motion. When choosing a motorcycle oil, you need to ensure that the viscosity is ideal for your bike’s engine. For example, if you are driving at a lower temperature or need more engine output, the viscosity rating should be below. Hence, the oil will be thinner and can easily lubricate the engine parts. On the contrary, if you are riding at a high temperature or if your engine doesn't need too much lubrication, a higher viscous oil will be better. Due to high viscosity, the oil’s flow rate will be less.
Additives In The Oil
You also need to check what kind of additives are present in the motorcycle oil you are planning to purchase. The benefits of having additives are many. For instance, they help in clearing the debris between the engine parts and cooling down the engine temperature to improve the longevity of both the moving and fixed engine parts.
How To Read The Oil Grade Numbering?
No matter which product you are buying, there will be a number written on the label like 10W50 or 15W80 and so on. So before you buy a product, it is very important to understand what this number implies and why it is important to consider.
Let us consider a standard oil grade as aWb. The letter ‘W’ means Winter. Now, the number represented by the letter ‘a’ precedes the W, and it means the lowest temperature range till which the oil will be able to maintain its viscosity. Thus, the lower the value of 'a', the better the lubrication and the oil's performance. Similarly, 'b’ represents the highest temperature to which the oil will hold its viscosity without breaking down.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Motorcycle Oil?
- The motorcycle oil helps in lubricating the engine parts for smooth motion between them.
- Several additives present in the oil helps in cooling down the engine temperature. In addition, these additive components also clean the debris present in between the engine parts.
- With the help of bike oil, the friction force will be decreased, reducing wear and tear.
- Lastly, using the oil will help in increasing the engine’s efficiency and productivity.
Motorcycle Oil FAQ
Q. Can I use car oil instead of motorcycle oil for my bike?
A. No, the car oil can't be used in the bikes because they have different viscosity, which will cause more harm to the engine than good. Also, the car oil has a different temperature range than the motorcycle oil, which is unsuitable for the bike engine.
Q. Which is the costliest type of motorcycle oil?
A. The synthetic oils are the costliest because they are made from synthetic materials, and the crude is used as the additive component.
Q. Why do I need to change my motorcycle oil frequently?
A. If you are not changing the motorcycle oil, it will soon lose its viscosity and won't lubricate the engine surfaces properly. As a result, the engine's life will be at stake. That's the reason why you need an oil change for your bike frequently.
