Are you looking for the best oil for your motorcycle?
If yes, then you have come to the right place. We all know the importance of engine oil for a motorcycle. It is like an oxygen source for your engine. And the engine is the heart of a motorcycle. So, if we relate, it means engine oil for a motorcycle is as important as oxygen for human beings.
Even if you hadn’t thought about it in this way, I am sure you must understand its value. But, have you ever thought – Why is it so important? What makes motorcycle oil so special for a motorcycle, especially when it is not the fuel source for riding your motorcycle?
Well, let’s not keep anything secret here. It is the oil’s cooling and lubricating properties that are needed for good internal combustion. Motorcycle oil also prevents corrosion and keeps the components clean for overall best performance.
Choosing the right motorcycle oil in 2021 can be overwhelming because of so many brands available on the market and they all claim to be the best. But, it is not about which one is the best, or the most or least expensive, but what is right for your motorcycle?
We can help you with choosing the right motorcycle oil. In fact, that’s the reason why we are here today, providing you with the top choices and to give you some guidance regarding motorcycle oils.
See Also: How To Maximize the Fuel Economy of Your Bike?
List of the Top 10 Motorcycle Oils
Best Motorcycle Oil Reviews 2021
Motul 300V Road Racing Synthetic Engine Oil Review
This is the #1 on our list of the best motorcycle engine oils. The Motul 300V Road Racing is a synthetic motorcycle engine oil that came to our attention by successfully completing the JASO T904 wet clutch compatibility test. Its double ester technology is my favorite and it provides amazing lubricity, better engine response, and maximum engine RPMs.
The Motul 300V is fully synthetic oil, which will increase the lifespan of your motorcycle engine and perform above existing standards. If you own a 4-stroke motocross bike or a road racing bike with or without a converter, then this engine oil will be suitable for your motorcycle.
One more thing I liked about this motorcycle engine oil is the fact that it showed 0% shear loss on the Bosch ASTM D6278 test and maintained shear stability even when subjected to mechanical stress and external conditions. Unlike mineral oils, the Motul 300V Synthetic Engine Oil has no contaminants that will harm the engine and reduce its life. On the contrary, it will increase both its performance and lifespan.
Motul 300V Road Racing Synthetic Engine Oil
Pros: Double Ester Technology, Excellent lubricity & performance, Noticeably Smoother
Cons: –
Mobil 1 Extended Performance Engine Oil Review
It is just as the name implies. The Mobil 1 motorcycle engine oil provides extended performance, which we all can rely on. It is one of the advanced full synthetic oils that has no contaminants like conventional oils and provides guaranteed protection for 15,000 miles or for an entire year, whichever comes first.
As I stated earlier, it is pure synthetic oil. This means it has no sign of refined crude or contaminants that were extracted from the surface. It smooths the operation of the engine and the clutch, and delivers longer life to the engine of your bike. The Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20 Motor Engine Oil has a stable oil viscosity, which makes it a powerful weapon for quick cold-weather starting without providing stress on the engine.
Overall, I can say that the Mobil 1 Extended Performance Full Synthetic oil has an excellent lubrication property and performs like no other engine oil. This is the main reason it ended up on so high on our list of the best-performing motorcycle engine oils.
Mobil 1 Extended Performance Engine Oil
Pros: Comes with high-performance additive, Highly Durable, Provides Transmission Protection
Cons: –
Castrol Power 1 Synthetic Engine Oil Review
The Castrol Power 1 4T Motorcycle Engine Oil may be at #3 on the list of the Best Motorcycle Oils, but it is no less quality than the above two oils. In fact, I personally like the Castrol Power 1 10W-40 Synthetic 4T Oil a lot.
Do you know why?
Well, for many reasons. The first one is, it is made by the most trusted company that makes engine oils, i.e. Castrol.
Castrol’s Power 1 4T has a successful racing association, i.e. Race-Derived Technology, which helps the oil to flow fast and stay strong to reduce internal engine friction, even under harsh conditions. One more thing you will love about this engine oil is the Trizone Technology formulation that protects all 3 critical zones – the engine, the clutch, and the gearbox. It provides air-cooled performance at extremely high temperatures and with race-derived technology, it provides maximum engine acceleration.
So, if you love racing and the challenge of riding to the limit, then the Castrol Power 1 10W-40 Synthetic 4T Motorcycle Oil will ensure that you get exceptional acceleration at the touch of the throttle. And, last but not least, the Castrol Power 1 10W-40 is one of the few Synthetic 4T Engine Oils that meet or exceed the requirements of API, SL, and JASO MA-2, etc.
Castrol Power 1 Synthetic Engine Oil
Pros: Reduces Engine Friction, Increases Power & Performance, Exceeds JASO MA-2 Standard
Cons: A little costly
Bel-Ray EXS Synthetic Ester 4T Engine Oil Review
The Bel-Ray EXS is a premium, fully synthetic motor oil that contains the finest quality synthetic hydrocarbon and ester base fluids. The Bell Ray EXS Synthetic Ester 4T Engine Oil exceeds the performance requirements of API, SM, and JASO MA-2, etc.
Bel-Ray oils are a perfect match for air-cooled/liquid-cooled 4-stroke engines and wet clutches. The combined additives contained in these oils will withstand unique, extreme pressure, anti-wear performance, and Shear-resistant VI improvers to meet all performance and efficiency demands.
It may not look like much, but when it comes to performance and efficiency, the Bel-Ray EXS Synthetic Ester 4T Engine Oil is no less efficient than the big brands we mentioned above.
Bel-Ray EXS Synthetic Ester 4T Engine Oil
Pros: Comes with Synthetic Hydrocarbon, Has Anti-wear additives
Cons: A little costly
Maxima Maxum4 Extra Engine Oil Review
The Maxima Maxum4 Extra is a 15w-50 engine oil formulated for street and off-road motorcycles with wet clutch applications and engines. It is 100% pure synthetic triple ester 4T engine oil that lowers operating temperatures and provides anti-wear and extended protection. Its Shear Viscosity resists heat breakdown and mechanical shearing.
You can use this Maxima Maxum4 Extra Engine oil in all types of weather. It provides easy starts even in cold weather without excess wear on the engine. The additives contained in this motor oil provide engine cleanliness and smoother transmission shifting too.
So, if you own a motorcycle with an air-cooled or water-cooled 4-cycle gasoline engine, then this motor oil will improve your fuel economy and extend your engine life. Lastly, it also exceeds JASO-MA M/C 4T and API SG/SC requirements.
Maxima Maxum4 Extra Engine Oil
Pros: 100% Triple Ester blend, Reduces engine wear, Smoother transmission shifting
Cons: –
Yamalube Performance Engine Oil Review
As it is named, the Yamalube Performance engine oil is Yamaha’s best performing oil for motorcycles. It provides stable clutch performance and outstanding protection for your Yamaha bikes, ATVs, and side-by-side, etc. It is a unique formulation of mineral-based oils, which provides unmatched lubrication to the components of your motorcycle’s engine for the prevention of excessive wear.
In doing so, Yamaha has selected the most advanced & high-grade additive for this oil, ensuring it eliminates any built-up residue and sulfated ash.
The Yamalube Performance All Purpose 4T engine oil is the type of mineral engine oil that will make your engine purr like a little kitten. The oil ensures super-smooth shifting and it has the ingredients to control vibration created within the engine.
Yamaha put a lot of effort into making a mineral engine oil that can deal with such problems. Therefore, the Yamalube Performance All Purpose 4T engine oil is the answer for proper lubrication. It is an anti-corrosion engine oil that provides the catalyst for gear protection.
In short, Yamalube Performance All Purpose 4T engine oil is what you need to keep your motorcycle engine as lubricated and protected as possible. Besides, you can trust Yamalube for its lubrication since it uses ultra-clean additives and meets the JASO MA safety standards.
Yamalube Performance Engine Oil
Pros: Mineral-based oil, Controls vibration created within engine, Anti-corrosion engine oil, Meets the JASO MA standards
Cons: –
Motorex Power Synt 4T Engine Oil Review
The Motorex Power Synt 4T engine oil is recommended for KTM riders. This 10w-60 Motorex Power Synt 4T engine oil was first developed and used by Yoshimura Suzuki. It is a fully synthetic high-performance engine oil that was designed for 4-stroke sports motorcycles and it will provide optimum protection against engine wear.
The Motorex Power Synt 4T engine oil is specifically designed for tough racing competitions where the motorcycle faces harsh engine wear.
One good thing I learned about the Motorex Power Synt 4T engine oil is that it doesn’t have any moly additives and works great under extreme race conditions. So, when it comes to protection and durability, the Motorex Power Synt 4T engine oil won’t disappoint you.
It has Motorex’s race-tested formula, which enhances the functionality of shifting. So, with the Motorex Power Synt 4T engine oil, there will be no more slipping of the wet clutch.
The superiority in providing protection in tough conditions has made the Motorex Power Synt 4T engine oil unique among other synthetic engine oils available on the market. Furthermore, it meets the JASO MA 903:2006/API SM, SL, SJ, SH and SG requirements.
Motorex Power Synt 4T Engine Oil
Pros: Meets JASO MA 903:2006/ API SM, No moly additives, Race tested and proven formula
Cons: A little expensive
Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic Engine Oil Review
The Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic engine oil is one of the most economical full synthetic engine oils that offer exclusive triple protection plus the technology to fight against wear, deposits, and oil breakdown. It is uniquely formulated with the fully synthetic base oils and contains the most advanced additives.
Shell succeeded in making an engine oil that offers excellent durability and protection to the engine while saving you money on fuel consumption at the same time. In fact, the oil will actually reduce your fuel consumption by around 1.5%.
The Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic engine oil is a fully synthetic CK-4 heavy-duty engine oil that is proficient in providing protection against harmful engine wear and is far more superior to the previous generation of API CJ-4 engine oils.
It is very common to see the engine gathering dirt, soot, and other sorts of contaminants while riding on the road. Thus, to improve the control of these types of deposits, the Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic engine oil facilitates the advanced multi-functional dispersant additives in combination with a synthetic base oil.
Apart from this, it incorporates an advanced low-ash formulation that helps to control fuel efficiency while being in compliance with vehicle emission requirements.
Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic Engine Oil
Pros: Improved Deposit Control, Fuel economy performance, Improved Deposit Control, Outstanding Shear Stability
Cons: Not meant for motorcycles
Types of Motorcycle Engine Oil
Choosing the type of motorcycle oil that you require for your motorcycle is probably your first priority. You must figure out which motorcycle oil will be suitable for your bike. If you have no idea, then you can contact the dealer, who can help you in selecting the right type. But, I think you won’t need to talk to anyone when we are here to help you.
There are 3 basic types of motorcycle engine oil – conventional oil, synthetic oil, and semi-synthetic oil.
Conventional Oil
Conventional oil consists of refined crude oil that includes other additives, such as detergents that are added to neutralize the acids. Another additive that is frequently used in conventional oil is a friction modifier, which improves lubrication for better fuel economy.
Conventional oils are also known as Mineral oils. My professional opinion is that Mineral or Conventional oil is quite a bit cheaper and is used a lot for old motorcycles. However, these are natural oils coming from the ground that also contain some contaminants. But, don’t worry! The process of refining oil is very thorough.
Synthetic Oil
Synthetic oil is a man-made oil, which contains pure crude as an essential additive. Synthetic oils have improved a lot in recent years with modern technologies. Synthetic oils have a lower viscosity, which makes it smooth for engine parts and reduces internal friction.
Synthetic oils provide better efficiency and performance than mineral oils. It’s just that synthetic oils are quite expensive.
You may think we vouched for both oils and since mineral oils are cheaper, then there is no reason for choosing synthetic oil over mineral oil, right?
Well, that’s not true.
I’ll tell you why. As I said, synthetic oils provide better efficiency and performance than mineral oils but are quite expensive. So, mineral oils may not be a better option when synthetic oils provide better fuel economy and have properties that contribute to a longer-lasting engine and longer periods between oil changes.
My professional opinion is, synthetic oils can be expensive but it is a small price to pay for enhanced engine protection and extended engine life.
Semi-Synthetic Oil
It is exactly as the name implies. A mixture of mineral and synthetic oil.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Motorcycle Oil
There are certain things that we all must consider before choosing any motorcycle oil:
Customer Feedback
If you have no idea or any general knowledge of motorcycle engine oils, then it would be better to rely on the opinion of others, specifically professionals or best motorcycle oil reviews. But, you can’t just march into a store with no idea what motorcycle oil to choose and ask someone else to choose it for you.
Let me remind you, you are the owner of your motorcycle. No one knows which motorcycle oil will be perfect for your motorcycle better than you will. So, the only option left is reading an online review, which I believe is a lot better idea than walking into a store. Online reviews will help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of different motorcycle oils. Moreover, since you are exploring the options, there will be no pressure on you to buy any particular one on the spot.
So, overall, I can say buying motorcycle oil from online sites is probably the best option these days, as you can get the best motorcycle oil for your motorcycle at a better value.
Engine Compatibility
You must figure out which motorcycle oil will be suitable for your motorcycle – synthetic, mineral, or semi-synthetic oil?
To check the compatibility, you must examine your motorcycle requirements and decide which one will be the right choice. Remember, if you choose the wrong one, money will not be the only thing you will waste but you will also reduce the life of your motorcycle.
Levels of Viscosity
Viscosity is an important factor to consider while considering a motorcycle oil. According to professionals, viscosity plays a major role in the performance of a motorcycle engine, especially when subjected to high temperatures.
Types of Additives
Checking the additives is a very common and important factor to consider when choosing a motorcycle oil. As we discussed earlier, mineral oil comes with detergent as an additive. And detergent has a property to remove debris and acids from the engine to make sure it is kept clean and works without any trouble. Not just that. It also improves lubrication and cooling.
Price & Efficiency Ratio
Most people see efficiency and cost differently. According to some, cheaper products have less efficiency than expensive ones. But, that’s just an old myth.
While buying motorcycle oil, you must always give priority to efficiency over cost because efficient motorcycle oil will provide the best performance with a lot less cost. And when it starts giving more at a lesser cost, you will discover that the product is providing excellent value for the money.
Conclusion:
You have already seen the best examples of engine oil mentioned above. These are the finest engine oils of 2021. They will improve the performance and efficiency of your motorcycle and provide maximum acceleration at the touch of the throttle. All these motorcycle oils have shear viscosity to perform at extreme circumstances and additives that will remove contaminants and acids from the internal engine area and enhance the ability of the engine to work smoothly.
If you are waiting for picking one of these then I won’t do this mistake. It is because all these engine oils are unique and their performance varies with circumstances and type of your motorcycle. So, it should be you to decide which one of these will be suitable for your motorcycle engine. And since you have already learned about motorcycle engine oils, I am sure you won’t have any problem choosing the right one.
Hi,i would have lovée toi read thé classification of each of thèse Oil.i allais thaught that Castrol Syntech serez compatible witz motorcycle engine ?,tanks for tour research
Firstly be sure to spell check your document and not just with an automated spell check tool but with your eyes. It somewhat invalidates your article and “research” What am I talking about? I’m talking about the description of the Motul 300V I believe you meant to say “Double Ester Techonology” not Easter.
All the oils listed for motorcycles are beneficial in the Motorycle Arena but no mention of Gulf Oils or Liqui-Moly. A quick comparison with Gulf and Motul that on the semi-synthetic applications is a lot of people when they hear Semi-Synthetic think 50/50 which is a common misconception.. Motul in their semi-synthetics have between 16-18 percent synthetic whilst the rest of their oil 82-84 percent is mineral oil… However with gulf the Semi-Synthetic is 30%-35% Synthetic with 65-70 percent mineral blend.
I understand there are a lot of products out there but if you could do some research on the 2 I’ve mentioned and give us your feedback I would greatly appreciate itl.
Thanks for letting me know Marco. I will try to add some of those oils you have mentioned.
What motorcycle uses 0w20 oil? Every test I’ve read Amsoil is at the top. How does it not even make your list.
Maxima oils not suitable for liquid cooled engine?
Among all Maxima engine oil, does any fit for liquid cooled engine type? hi
Thanks for your advice. I will be able to right choice which mobil use.