How Often Should the Oil and Oil Filter Be Changed of Your Motorcycle?

Posted on: Jul 6, 2022 | | Written by:

How Often Should the Oil and Oil Filter Be Changed of Your Motorcycle?

Like you do not forget your bike insurance renew every year, you need to be very particular about the maintenance of the bike as well. Maintaining your bike and keeping it in good condition not only ensures it works smoothly without giving any problem but also that it lasts for a long time without giving any issues.

Oil is very important for the bike as this provides lubrication to the engine and ensures its smooth working. The oil filter plays an important role in this process as well. The main function of the oil filter is to remove dirt, particles, and any other contamination which is present in the oil.

An oil change is the main and the most basic thing you can do to ensure that the bike is working smoothly. The question that arises is the frequency of the change of oil and the filter that is needed to ensure the bike works fine.

Why is an Oil Change Needed?

Oil is very resistant to damage and is not very durable as well. With time it gets spoilt and there is degradation too. There are chemicals that break into harmful chemicals with time and this can damage the bike. The bike when moving generates heat and this can spoil the oil. When bikes are used for long, the oil breaks down further and vaporises as well. Besides, when the bike moves, the oil tends to get contaminated which reduces the efficacy. The performance of this oil reduces and also can damage the engine and its parts. Thus, an oil change is needed to ensure the bike and its parts work properly.

How Often Should You Change the Oil of the Motorbike?

If you want to know the rule to change the oil you will be disappointed to know that there is no rule for the same. There is no one standard rule and there are some factors that need to be considered to know if an oil change is needed. Some of these are:

● The model, make, and year of the bike

● The usage of the bike

● The kind of oil that is used.

If there is one rule you still need, it ideally should be that the oil of the bike is changed annually. Like you should remember the time for bike insurance renew, changing the oil every year is also important. This is the least that should be done. If the bike is not used extensively, it is still possible that there is dirt, etc. in the oil whenever it is ridden. The damage and corrosion increase as more contamination finds its way to the oil. But again, the usage and the situation for every bike can be different, and thus, regular checks and services can determine when an oil change is needed.

Many people think that the bike is not used a lot so there is less chance of damage. But the fact is that the bike which is less used, there are more chances of corrosion. The bike used for shorter distances does not get time for heating, lubrication, cleaning, and cooling. A bike should be used for more than 30 minutes each time twice a month at the minimum.

The service manual of the bike will usually have details of when is an oil change needed. The manufacturing company always recommends which kind of oil can be used and should be used and also the frequency of change. When the recommendations are followed, it is always better and it helps to keep the bike in a better condition. For most bikes, the recommendation usually is given to us that an oil change should be done at 4800kms.

There are usually three types of oils that are used in a bike. These are synthetic, semi-synthetic, and mineral. The kind of motorcycle used decides which oil should be used. The right oil should be used and it is as important as your oil change. The level of oil and the quality of oil used should be checked properly and regularly. Though there are changes as per the oil used, these two factors should be kept in mind.

When Should an Oil Filter Be Changed?

We have discussed when should the oil of the bike be changed and what norms should be followed for the same. The answer to this question is simple. You change the filter when you change the oil. The oil is changed to ensure there are no particles and contamination in the oil but all of this goes to the filter only. So if an oil change is needed, the filter should be changed as well.

Some reasons why this is needed are:

● The bikes have a full filtration process whereas the oil from the tank goes to the engine through the filter. Thus, this filter is the first one to receive contaminations.

● Oil filter change with an oil change will reduce the wear and tear of the engine. A completely clogged filter will not allow oil to reach the engine, which in turn will not get lubrication and thus, will get damaged.

● Oil and oil filter changes will reduce the maintenance cost of the bike. The damage that a clogged filter can cause will cost more than an oil and filter change.

● If only oil is changed and not the filter, the chances are high that the new clean oil will get dirty faster as the filter is dirty.

Signs to Look Out For

Though every bike has its recommendations of when to change the oil, there are some indicators that can be looked out for to know the bike need an oil change. Some of these are:

● The service light is on. There can be several reasons for this but this means the engine is not working properly.

● If the bike is driven regularly in severe conditions, the oil and filter will be needed to change more often.

Conclusion

As discussed, the time and frequency of oil and filter change depend on the type of motorcycle, type of oil, the quality of filters that are used, and the usage of the bike. On average, the oil should be changed around 4800-5000 kilometres. Proper maintenance of the bike is important. Like you put reminders for the bike insurance renew, you should schedule your bike checks and maintenance. Oil and oil filter change is needed periodically and this should not be neglected. An engine has to work at the most efficient level to ensure that the bike runs smoothly and for a long time. Thus, take care of the above tips and enjoy your bike rides for a long time.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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