Changing the oil in your motorcycle is the most important maintenance item to ensure its longevity. It seems simple enough, but there are a few factors at play when it comes to how often to change your motorcycle oil. Your oil change interval depends on the type of oil you use, how often you ride, and the cleanliness of your oil filter. Ready to find out the right oil change interval for your bike? Read on, take notes, and never miss an oil change again!
When you’re ready to change your motorcycle oil, be sure to look at PJ1 Products. We offer a wide variety of Powersports merchandise to help you keep your bike in tip-top shape, including a couple of options for motorcycle oil!
Your Guide to How Often to Change Your Motorcycle Oil
How Often Do You Ride Your Bike?
The most important factor in determining how often to change your motorcycle oil is how much you ride. If you only take your bike out for short rides on sunny days, then you can make a single oil change last a long time! However, if you’re riding every day or traversing long distances, you will need to change your motorcycle oil more frequently. The type of oil you’re using matters too, but more on that later!
A general rule of thumb is to change your motorcycle oil every 5,000 to 6,000 miles, or at least once per year, no matter what the oil level is.
What Type of Motorcycle Oil Do You Use?
There are a few grades of motorcycle oil to choose from. You have conventional (otherwise known as mineral-based) oil, semi-synthetic oil, and fully synthetic oil. Newer bikes require semi or fully synthetic oil, so always be sure to check your owner’s manual before purchasing motorcycle oil. When you figure out what type of oil your bike takes, it’s easier to know how often to change it.
Here’s a quick guide to how often to change each type of oil, according to Rips and Rides:
- Mineral-based oil: Change the oil every 2,000 miles or less.
- Semi-synthetic oil: Change the oil every 5,000-6,000 miles.
- Fully synthetic oil: Change every 7,000 to 10,000 miles.
What’s the State of Your Oil Filter?
Checking, cleaning, and replacing your bike’s filters is one of the easiest motorcycle DIY maintenance projects you can do at home. When it comes to changing your motorcycle oil, checking the oil filter is important, too. Oil filters help keep contaminants out of your bike’s oil. A fresh oil change doesn’t matter much if the filter is letting pollutants in! Here are five warning signs that your oil filter needs to be cleaned or replaced.
Perform an Oil Change at Home with PJ1 Products
Now that you know how often to change your motorcycle oil, it’s time to get to work! First, be sure to purchase the best motorcycle oil for your bike’s needs. We always recommend referencing your service manual to see what oil the manufacturer recommends. If your owner’s manual suggests API SE, SF, SG, or SH 10W30, 10W40, 20W40, 20W50, consider PJ1 Silverfire Petroleum 4T Motor Oil or PJ1 Goldfire Synthetic 4T Motor Oil. Both are specially formulated for 4-stroke motorcycles and small engines.
Searching for more Powersports products? Browse PJ1 Products! No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it in our inventory!