What Does a Lubricant Contain?
Lubricants for motorcycles consist of two main components: base oil (which makes up 70-95% of the ingredients) and the additive package (which makes up 5-30% of the composition).
Depending on the quality, the base oil can be divided into three types: mineral, semi-synthetic, and fully synthetic.
Mineral oils are derived from crude oil and offer a cost-effective solution, but they are less efficient at extreme temperatures and need to be changed more frequently.
Fully synthetic oils, on the other hand, are produced through complex chemical processes and offer the highest performance, particularly under extreme conditions, as they provide excellent thermal stability and maximum wear protection.
Semi-synthetic oils combine the benefits of both worlds, by mixing mineral and synthetic components to offer improved performance and protection at an affordable price. The right choice of oil depends on the specific requirements of the vehicle and the preferences of the rider.
How to Choose a Lubricant for Your Motorcycle?
To choose the right lubricant for your motorcycle, it's important to understand the role of the lubricant in the engine. Beyond the basic function of lubrication, which aims to reduce friction and wear between moving parts, the lubricant must also perform several other tasks.
The oil has cleaning and dispersing properties, which means it can remove deposits from cylinder surfaces and keep them suspended until they are captured by the oil filter. Otherwise, these deposits could settle at the bottom of the oil pan and re-enter the engine.
Additionally, the oil has acid-neutralizing properties. Through chemical reactions, the oil neutralizes acids formed during combustion, preventing damage to engine components.
Cooling is another very important property of the oil, particularly in air- or oil-cooled engines, or in a cooling system that combines both methods. For this type of cooling, it is crucial that the oil used has special heat transfer properties; otherwise, overheating could lead to engine damage.
The lubrication of the gearbox is another factor that distinguishes high-performance motorcycle oils from other types of lubricants on the market. To protect the engine oil from shear effects caused by the operation of the gearbox, the oil is equipped with highly effective anti-wear and high-pressure additives, which ensure the oil's stability even under harsh conditions.
Motorcycle Oil Test
Finally, we compare the most well-known brands, such as Liqui Moly, Castrol, Motul, and Shell Advance to help you decide on the right motorcycle oil:
Liqui Moly is known for its comprehensive range of products, specifically developed for various types of motorcycles and riding conditions. Liqui Moly oils are characterized by high wear protection properties and excellent engine cleaning.
Castrol, on the other hand, offers a wide range of high-performance oils, distinguished by innovative technologies such as "Trizone Technology," which simultaneously protects the engine, gearbox, and clutch.
Motul relies on its advanced Ester-Core technology, which provides excellent thermal stability at high temperatures and maximum performance under high stress, making it particularly beneficial for racing motorcycles.
Shell Advance is another notable brand in the motorcycle oil market, known for its high performance and reliability. Shell Advance oils are often praised for their ability to keep the engine clean even under extreme conditions while ensuring smooth gear shifting. Shell's "PurePlus" technology, which derives the oil from natural gas rather than crude oil, offers additional purity and protection for the engine.
Each brand has its strengths, and the choice of the right oil largely depends on the specific requirements of the motorcycle and the rider's preferences.
