Does It Matter What Oil I Put In My Motorcycle? – FAQ

Does it matter what oil I put in my motorcycle?

YES! It does matter what oil you put in your motorcycle.

The Only Oil I Put In My Motorcycle Is Oil That:

1.- Oil type recommended by the manufacturer.

In the case of my TaoTao TBR7 Dual-sport, Boom Vader motorcycle, and my Suzuki GS750, the type of oil is an oil meant for motorcycles.  A wet-clutch motorcycle oil.

2.- Oil Viscosity Recommended By The Bike’s Manufacturer.

The universal oil type I see on most bikes is about the range of 10w40. However, read your motorcycle owner’s manual. The viscosity changes also with areas where you ride your bike, thinner oil for colder climates, and thicker oils for hotter climates are normal.

FYI, I live with all four seasons in full effect, cold winter(don’t ride as much), and hot summers(riding hard, fast, and hot), so I use a multi-weight motorcycle oil like Shell’s Rotella 15w40 motor oil. Rotella is good motorcycle oil in my humble opinion.

3.- A High-Quality Motorcycle Oil With A Good Reputation.

We all know that Honda motorcycle oils are known for their good reputation, but there are others. Since I can buy the same motorcycle oil from Walmart, and the same motorcycle oil from Autozone and Advanced Auto, I stick with Shell’s Rotella engine oil.

4.- (When I Can) I Only Use Synthetic Motorcycle Oil.

Synthetic motorcycle oil is a few bucks more, but feel with a public option, the quality control of oil is better, compared to conventional motorcycle oil, and worth the few extra bucks to prevent engine damage.

My motorcycles all have air-cooled engines, and I get caught in stop-and-go traffic at times. Causing Air-Cooled Engine Overheating Symptoms. 🙁

FYI: When To Switch To Synthetic Oil For Your Motorcycle?  I switch to synthetic motorcycle oil after the break-in period.  I found I do frequent oil changes during a motorcycle’s break-in period, so I use conventional oil to save a few bucks.

Does It Matter What Oil I Put In My Motorcycle?

Summary:

The best way to treat your motorcycle is by using the best, manufacturer’s recommended, motorcycle oil that meets all your riding conditions and temperatures. Following the Motorcycle Owner’s manual for scheduled oil change maintenance.