How often should you change motorcycle oil?

Buying a motorcycle is an investment. Like traditional vehicles, regular maintenance is needed to ensure your motorcycle stays in tip-top shape during the riding season. One of the most important maintenance tasks you need to perform is regular oil changes. But, how frequently you change your motorcycle oil will depend on a couple of factors, which we've outlined for you below:

Factors influencing how often you change your motorcycle oil

Frequent oil changes will help your motorcycle engine run smoothly and efficiently. As a general rule of thumb, most motorcycles need new oil every 3,000 to 5,000 kilometres, which averages out to around twice a year. That said, how frequently you change your motorcycle oil will vary based on the following:

1. Type of oil

The type of oil your engine takes plays a significant role in determining when you need to change your motorcycle oil. The different types of motorcycle engine oil include:

Synthetic oil

Synthetic motor oil offers optimal heat performance and oxidation stability, which, when comparing synthetic oil vs. regular oil, has a longer service life. Therefore, you should aim to change your synthetic motor oil every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometres.

Semi-synthetic oil

Semi-synthetic oil is a blend of traditional mineral oil and synthetic oil. This motorcycle oil needs to be replaced with fresh oil every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres.

Traditional oil (mineral oil)

Traditional oil, also known as mineral oil, is derived from refined crude oil. This type of motorcycle oil requires more frequent oil changes. Generally speaking, you should aim to change the oil between 3,000 and 5,000 kilometres.

2. Age of motorcycle

You'll next need to pay attention to the age of your motorcycle. Older bikes with more mileage require more frequent replacements than newer bikes with less mileage.

3. How often you ride

How often you use your motorcycle and the distances of each ride will also determine how much stress is put on your engine components. Therefore, if you're using your motorcycle daily to commute to and from work, you will need more frequent oil changes than those who are only using the bike from time to time.

4. Owner's manual

When in doubt, if you're still unsure about when to change the motor oil for your motorcycle, take a look at your motorcycle's user manual. This manual should provide a list of recommended intervals based on your motorcycle make and model.

Signs it's time to change your motorcycle oil

So, how do you know when you need to change your motorcycle oil? Pay attention to these signs your bike may be displaying:

Reduced engine performance

When you need an oil change, your bike's performance will decrease slightly. Pay attention to things like slower acceleration or difficulties starting your motorcycle.

Loud engine noises

Because of the increased wear and tear on your engine due to the degraded oil, you'll notice that your engine is much louder than normal. It may also make odd noises as you ride.

Dark colour

To check if you need to change the oil on your bike, remove the dipstick from your engine and inspect the colour. Newer engine oil should be a golden brown colour. The older the motorcycle oil is, the darker it will be.

Thick consistency

You can also check the consistency of your engine oil. Older engine oil tends to be thicker in consistency, which should prompt you to do an oil change on your bike.

DIY vs. professional mechanic service

So, should you change your motorcycle oil yourself or hire a professional? There are pros and cons to both, which we've outlined for you below:

DIY

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of changing your motorcycle oil yourself:

• Performing an oil change is generally more affordable.
• Oil change can take between 15 to 30 minutes, making it a quick maintenance task that can be done on your property.
• Changing the engine oil does require a level of knowledge on how your bike works to ensure the change is conducted correctly.

Professional

Below are the advantages and disadvantages of having a professional change your motorcycle oil:

• Compared to how much an oil change is when done on your own, hiring a professional can be more expensive.
• When you find a good mechanic you trust, you can have confidence knowing that the oil change is being done correctly.

What happens if I don't change the oil?

Failing to change the oil in your bike can lead to significant engine damage that will be even more costly to fix. As a responsible bike owner, it's essential that you change the used oil in your bike frequently and periodically to ensure that your bike's performance remains as optimal as possible. The type of oil you use and how often you ride your bike will influence how often you need to change it. For less frequent changes, consider using a synthetic oil or a semi-synthetic oil as these types tend to last longer than mineral oil.

Should you change motorcycle oil monthly?

No, there is no need to change motorcycle oil monthly. For one, changing the oil frequently can be quite expensive. Additionally, it won't do anything to benefit your engine or the performance of your bike.

How BrokerLink can help

At BrokerLink, we help motorists find affordable car insurance. With access to numerous motorcycle insurance policies in Ontario from some of Canada's top providers, our brokers can help you shop around and compare quotes before finding the right coverage for your needs and budget, including:

• Liability car insurance
• Comprehensive car coverage
• Collision car coverage
• Accident forgiveness

Get a free online motorcycle insurance quote today using our online quote tool!

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