Using high-quality synthetic engine oil is vital to protecting your bike’s engine and enhancing performance. Synthetic oils offer superior protection and advantages over conventional mineral oils, especially for high-revving motorcycle engines.
This blog covers everything bikers need to know about synthetic lubricants.
What is Synthetic Oil?
Synthetic oil is a lubricant made using chemical compounds. These compounds are produced by breaking down petroleum molecules and then rebuilding them. When a drop of synthetic oil is kept under a microscope and observed, it shows millions of molecules that are nearly identical in size and structure.
Mineral oil is made from crude oil. A drop of conventional oil under a microscope reveals molecules in a variety of irregular shapes, sizes, and structures.
Synthetic oil is divided into two types:
- Fully Synthetic Oils: Fully Synthetic engine oil for bikes uses a pure synthetic base stock designed molecule-by-molecule. Additives are blended in to help prevent oil degradation.
- Synthetic Blends: These mix conventional mineral oil with synthetic base stocks. The synthetic component offers enhanced performance and protection versus straight mineral oil.
Difference Between Synthetic & Mineral Oils
Synthetic and conventional mineral oils differ significantly in their performance and protective capabilities:
- Thermal Stability
Synthetic oils are highly resistant to breakdown under extremely high heat due to their evenly sized and weighted molecules. They retain viscosity even at temperature extremes that would cause mineral oils to oxidize and compromise lubrication.
- Viscosity Breakdown Resistance
The tightly controlled molecular structures in synthetic oils provides better variation in thickness at both extreme cold and hot temperatures.
- Contaminant Tolerance
Due to their consistent molecular structure and lower levels of impurities, synthetic oils can handle dilution and contamination better and will not degrade synthetic oil performance as quickly as regular oils.
- Extended Oil Change Intervals
The rugged stability of synthetics enables motorcycle engines to safely extend oil change intervals without risking lubrication failure. Mineral oils need replacement more frequently. The drain interval for bikes and motorcycles is 1000-2000 kilometers, and for cars is 5,000-7,000 kilometers or 4-6 months, whichever comes first.
- Reduced Deposits and Sludge
The advanced additives in synthetic oils for bikes keep their engines cleaner by preventing carbon and varnish deposits. Their detergent action minimizes sludge that can restrict oil flow.
- Decreased Engine Wear
Synthetics form tenacious lubricant films on metal surfaces, even under heavy loads. Combined with uniform viscosity, they better prevent wear of engine components than mineral oils.
- Improved Cold Weather Flow
Specialized cold-flow improvers allow synthetic motorcycle oils to circulate faster and provide sufficient lubrication immediately after cold starts below mineral oils’ capabilities.
- Long-Term Cost Savings
While more expensive upfront, synthetics save riders money over time due to extended drain intervals, improved engine life, and reduced repairs and maintenance. The upfront investment pays off long-term.
Synthetic oils outperform mineral oils tremendously in almost every area – from stability to wear protection and deposit control.
Benefits of Using Synthetic Motorcycle Oil
Choosing a high-quality synthetic engine oil for bikes over a conventional oil offers several advantages for motorcycle performance and protection:
- Enhanced Engine Power
The superior lubricating properties of synthetic oil allow engine components to operate with less friction and drag. This enables them to function more efficiently.
- Increased Protection Against Wear and Contamination
Synthetics form precise molecular bonds to metal surfaces while resisting breakdown from heat, oxidation, fuel contamination better than mineral oils. This keeps critical engine parts adequately lubricated and coated, reducing wear and tear.
- Longer Oil Change Intervals
The rugged molecular stability of synthetic oils allows them to maintain protective qualities for up to twice as long as petroleum oils between oil changes. This saves riders time and money over the motorcycle’s lifetime.
- Improved Cold Temperature Flow
Specialized additives ensure synthetic oils pump and circulate freely, even in frigid winter temperatures. This allows for fast lubrication during cold starts and prevents engine wear.
- Enhanced Fuel Efficiency
Synthetic oils’ low friction, excellent thermal stability, and resistance to contaminants enhance combustion efficiency, enabling improved fuel mileage compared to standard motorcycle oils.
How Often to Change Synthetic Engine Oil For Bikes?
Changing your oil is an essential part of regular bike maintenance. While synthetic oil usually lasts longer than regular oil, change it periodically to ensure optimal motorcycle engine performance and protection.
The frequency of oil changes can vary depending on various factors, including the synthetic oil type used, riding conditions, and the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Suppose you frequently ride in severe conditions, such as extreme heat or cold, dusty environments, stop-and-go traffic, tow heavy loads, or operate at high RPMs for extended periods. In that case, you may need to change your synthetic motorcycle oil more frequently.
The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommends oil changes after 4,000 hours if a mineral oil is used and 8,000 hours if a synthetic oil is used. It is recommended to change the oil filter and separator at 8,000 hours.
Synthetic Motorcycle Oil Change Process
Changing synthetic engine oil for bikes follows a similar process to changing regular oil. Here are the steps:
- Gather the necessary tools and equipment, including a wrench, oil filter wrench, drain pan, new oil filter, and the appropriate synthetic motorcycle oil type and amount as specified in your bike’s owner’s manual.
- Park your bike on a uniform surface and keep it stable on a stand.
- Locate the oil drain plug underneath the engine and place the drain pan underneath to catch old oil.
- Use the wrench to detach and remove the drain plug, allowing old oil to drain completely into the pan.
- As the oil is poured out, find the oil filter and use the filter wrench to remove it.
- Install new filter by lubricating rubber gasket with fresh oil & tightening by hand.
- Once the old oil has drained, reinstall the drain plug and tighten it securely.
- Refill the engine with a specified amount of new synthetic oil based on the bike’s capacity.
- Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes to circulate new oil.
- Use a dipstick to check the oil level and top up if necessary.
- Dispose of old oil and filter appropriately at a designated recycling facility.
- Consult your bike’s owner’s manual for specific synthetic oil change instructions. Routine changes are crucial, even with synthetics, for peak engine performance.
Conclusion
Unlike mineral oils, synthetic motorcycle oils deliver upgraded performance and protection in practically every area, from thermal stability to wear prevention and viscosity control. Factor in extended drain intervals and reduced maintenance costs, and synthetics give high-performance bikes unmatched lubrication.