When to change the oil in your motorcycle

The climatic conditions in our country are not favorable for year-round use of a motorcycle. Only a small percentage of owners use their machines all year round. It can therefore be assumed that the traditional motorcycle season ends in October and begins with the arrival of spring.

The specific nature of motorcycle use also means that maintenance is seasonal. While in cars most servicing activities are performed after a certain mileage, or with noticeable wear of components or operating fluids, the situation is different in the case of two-wheelers.

Two approaches to the same issue

Motorcycle users can be divided into two groups. The first one opts for all servicing to be performed in the fall, after putting the bike in the garage. Then new oil is poured into the engine and the filter is replaced. In theory, this is to protect the drive unit from long-term contact with used oil. The second option is to service the motorcycle, including changing the oil, just before the first spring ride. This solution allows you to enjoy driving with fresh lubricant. Who's right? While this question cannot be answered in one sentence, you should always change the oil annually.

Then and now

Oils for older generation motorcycles did not impress with their quality. Hence, over the years, many people have changed the oil twice a year - after the season and in spring. The mineral oil base, a small percentage of refining agents and inappropriate viscosity, combined with low temperatures prevailing under a shelter or in an unheated garage, favored the condensation of water vapor from the surroundings. Some of it got into the engine, which resulted in corrosion. Hence, it was common to fill the engine with special winter oil during winter parking. Its main purpose was to protect against corrosion and preserve it. In the spring, the oil was changed once again - this time with a lukewarm one, which works well during normal operation and not during a long standstill.

With the technologies currently used, branded motorcycle oils are produced using synthetic or semi-synthetic technology. The oil tightly protects the drive unit from the outside, and the constant temperatures prevailing in most garages effectively protect against possible corrosion and moisture precipitation.

Used engine oil loses its viscosity and becomes harmful to sensitive engine components. Both the acidic reaction of used oil and the consistency of the lubricant, which does not guarantee adhesion to moving elements, are dangerous. Therefore, it is worth changing the oil in your motorcycle after the end of the season, in autumn. Enriching additives combined with a good oil base have a positive effect on the lubricating properties. When the motorcycle is parked, new oil will not become stale within 4-5 months, so in the spring you will be able to use the motorcycle immediately after taking it out of the garage.