Which Engine Oil Is Best for Your Bike? A Complete Guide for All Engine Types

What is Bike Engine Oil and Why is it Important?

Engine oil is a type of oil that lubricates the various internal parts and components of a bike’s engine. You need to change it at regular intervals, ideally during maintenance. Here’s why it is so important:

Engine life:

The primary role of engine oil is to reduce friction between the moving engine parts, which minimises wear and increases the life of the engine.

Clean circulation:

The sticky and flowing nature of the engine oil helps to clean dust, dirt and other foreign particles which get jammed on the boundaries and internal surface of the engine, ensuring smooth circulation.

Riding performance:

Good quality engine oil can assist with better fuel efficiency and smoother ride quality by improving the engine performance.

Heat management:

When the engine runs, it generates heat under stress. As engine oil circulates, it helps to keep the engine temperature in check by absorbing the heat generated by the moving parts of the engine and carrying it away to be dissipated. This ensures the engine performs optimally and doesn’t overheat.

Things to Consider When Choosing Engine Oil

Before browsing the market to find the best engine oil for a bike, make sure to consider the following pointers:

Type of bike:

Different bikes require different types of engine oil. For example, commuter segment bikes don’t use the same engine oil as high-performance, sports bikes, and vice versa. A specific class and type of bike uses a specific type of engine oil.

Engine oil brand:

Various types of engine oil brands are available in the Indian market. It is crucial that you stick to the reputable brands only, such as Motul, Castrol, Servo, Gulf, etc.

Viscosity:

Engine oils are available in different viscosity grades. It basically refers to the engine oil’s thickness, or resistance to flow. Some common engine oil viscosity grades available in India are 10W-30, 10W-40, 15W-50, and 20W-40.

Industry standards:

Ensure the engine oil meets the industry standards and certifications, such as ACEA, API or JASO.

Type of engine oil: Some bikes may require conventional oil (mineral), while others may require semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil. Make sure to check with your bike’s user manual before proceeding.

Synthetic vs. Conventional Engine Oil: Pros & Cons

Knowing the difference between conventional and synthetic oil is crucial to answering the question, “Which engine oil is best for a bike?” Here is a list of pros and cons:

Conventional engine oil for bikes

Pros

• Ideal for standard riding conditions.
• Comparatively lower cost.
• More economical for shorter oil change intervals.

Cons

• May face certain limitations under extreme conditions and temperatures.

Synthetic engine oil for bikes

Pros

• Better resistance to viscosity breakdown, minimising friction and wear.
• Lowers the probability of sludge formation.
• Lower frequency for oil change.
• Great performance under extreme conditions.

Cons

• Comparatively more expensive than conventional engine oil.

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Engine Oil Recommendation For Bikes

The following chart lists a general overview of the best engine oil for bikes, recommended as per motorcycle type and use case:

Popular Engine Oil for Bikes in India

If you are in the market searching for the best bike engine oil in India, the following brand names and models are some of the top choices available:

Gulf Pride/4T series:

These are cost-effective, mineral or semi-synthetic options, perfect for standard, everyday usage, offering decent levels of lubrication and wear protection.

• Suitable for: In terms of the best bike engine oil, it is a great choice for entry-level commuter bikes and daily city riding.

Shell Advance Ultra 10W-40:

A fully synthetic engine oil option, offering good levels of lubrication, thermal stability, smooth performance and wear protection.

• Suitable for: Modern motorcycles with mixed usage, i.e., daily commuting and touring.

Motul 7100 4T (20W-50 / 10W-40):

Another fully synthetic engine oil, made ideally for higher compression engines. It ensures reliable performance and slicker gear shifts.

• Suitable for: 200 - 400 cc performance-centric bikes, with a mix of touring and heavy usage.

Motul 300V Factory Line 15W-50:

Fully synthetic engine oil featuring ester-core tech to provide outstanding engine performance, refinement, heat dissipation and stability at higher RPMs.

• Suitable for: This is specifically designed for high-revving engines, particularly racing/track bikes.

OEM-suggested oil:

Refer to your bike or scooter’s user manual and find out the OEM-suggested engine oil for your vehicle. Sometimes, this is the most efficient way to find the best engine oil for bike maintenance.

• Suitable for: The specific engine architecture and warranty requirement of your bike or scooter.

Conclusion

Choosing the right engine oil for your bike is the simplest way to protect engine health and ensure longevity. Whether you prefer budget-friendly mineral oil or performance-focused synthetic oil, the key is to stay consistent with the bike’s user manual. While sticking to the OEM-suggested brand is safe, you can switch to any reputable brand, as long as the engine oil matches the recommended viscosity and grade.

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