Motorcycle oil keeps your bike’s engine and transmission parts operating smoothly and safely, but over time it can pick up deposits and other impurities, lose viscosity, oxidise and the additives within the oil can become depleted, necessitating an oil change.
In this guide we provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform a motorbike oil change, saving yourself time and money, and answer questions on how often to change your motorcycle oil and how to recognise low oil symptoms.
As is the case with all our guides, if you are not confident working on your motorbike, work on the side of caution and get your mechanic to perform an oil change for you.
How to change motorcycle oil
Before you start, make sure you have the following to hand:
- Motorcycle oil – check your owner’s manual for the correct grade and recommended volume.
- Replacement oil filter
- Drain Plug washer
- Socket wrench
- Torque wrench
- Drain pan
- Oil filter remover tool or filter wrench
- Funnel
- Rear paddock stand (if your bike lacks a centre stand)
- Protective gloves
- Rags
How often you should change your motorcycle oil
The exact time between motorcycle oil changes differs between manufacturers and models, but a general rule is to change it annually, or every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you regularly race your bike, it may require a change sooner than this. For a definitive answer for your make and model, consult your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer.
Motorcycle low oil symptoms
If you experience any of the following, your motorbike could need an oil top-up or change:
- A lit-up oil warning light on the dashboard.
- An overheating engine.
- The scent of burning.
- Thudding noises from the engine.
If you experience any of the above, either change or top-up your oil, or visit a mechanic.
Visit our Amazon store for motorbike oils
