AMSOIL Dirt bike oil

What to Look for in a Dirt Bike Oil

Buying dirt bike oil for a dirt bike is not the same as buying for the family car. As well as brand and cost, there are some other features that you should look for. Always consult your manual to find out what oil is suitable for your dirt bike.

• Motorcycle specific oil

You must buy a dirt bike oil that is suitable for your dirt bike and these are not the same oils that are used in cars. Dirt bike oils should have additives that will help the oil to stand up to the huge demands a wet clutch, transmission, and valve train will inflict on them. What’s more, a motorcycle has a flat tappet design that causes the oil viscosity to break down at a much faster rate than in a car.

• Not car oil!

The additives in dirt bike oils need to be very specific. The additives in-car oils are very different. Car oils have additives that help to increase gas mileage. That’s great for a car, but in a motorcycle, it will cause the wet clutch to slip. Motorcycle additive packages will make the oil able to withstand the added stresses of a motorcycle engine.

• Antifoam and surface-active additives

In a motorcycle, the oil is being constantly berated because of the leaning into corners and bouncing that takes place as you are riding. Therefore, motorcycle-specific oils contain chemicals that help to maintain lubrication under these very specific conditions.

• Heat dissipater

Performance bikes, such as dirt bikes, need an oil that contains an ester. This is a synthetic additive that helps with heat dissipation in a high-performance engine. Esters are the most effective racing oil additive. As the oil moves through the engine, it transfers heat to the outer parts of the engine where it is cooled by air or by a cooling system.

• Cleaning agents

Some oils will be able to hold carbon particles in suspension and this stops carbon sludge from forming on internal engine parts.

• Other additives

Solvents may be added to dirt bike oil to keep the engine clean. They break up deposits. There may also be Viscosity Index improvers, corrosion inhibitors, and buffers which will neutralize the acid.

• Synthetic or mineral?

Mostly, synthetic oil is the best choice, but not always! Manufacturers are now able to put together additive packages that make mineral oils perform just as well as the lower quality synthetic oils.