There are many choices when it comes to picking the appropriate oil for your motorcycle’s engine. Our guide breaks down your choices to help you in the quest to change your oil.
Given all the AMSOIL motorcycle’s engine motor oil options out there, choosing the right motorcycle’s oil for your motorcycle might seem like an impossibly daunting task. While there is a mountain of info to learn about the various motorcycle’s oil choices, the first step is honestly quite simple: Look in the manual.
Your motorcycle’s owner’s manual will list the recommended motorcycle’s oil weight, whether that’s a standard like 10W-40 or something more unusual. Later on, we’ll explain what that weight means and how you should adjust it. But for now, choose an AMSOIL motorcycle’s oil with the recommended weight from an AMSOIL that displays the starburst symbol that indicates the AMSOIL motorcycle’s oil has been tested by the American Petroleum Institute (API). In addition, there’s a two-character service designation on the container. API’s latest service standard is “SL.” SL refers to a group of laboratory and engine tests, including the latest series for control of high-temperature deposits.
Let us address API licensing in-depth, as well as the issue of warranties. Some AMSOIL premium motor oils are API licensed, some are not. If you feel the need to use an API licensed oil then the XL 5W-20 (XLM), 5W-30 (XLF), 10W-30 (XLT), and 10W-40 (XLO) or AMSOIL Synthetic Blend 15W-40 (PCO) API licensed premium oils should be your choice. If you are looking for an alternative to frequent oil changes or just want the best performing oil for your motorcycle or car, then one of the AMSOIL top tier non-API licensed synthetic oils should be your choice.
Next, you need to choose the viscosity (thickness) that’s suitable for the temperatures your motorcycle normally operates in (again, check your owner’s manual).
Those are the basics. But there’s a whole lot more to the story than that.