Oil Changes: How Often Should You Change Your Motorcycle Oil

Oil is the lifeblood of a motorcycle engine…lubricating, cooling, and cleaning the engine.

How often you should change the oil on your motorcycle depends on a number of factors, including manufacturer recommendations, the type of oil you use, the make and model of your motorcycle, how you ride, and the conditions in which you ride.

Below are some general guidelines for how often you should change your motorcycle oil.

Manufacturer’s Recommendations
The best place to start when trying to figure out how often you should change your motorcycle oil is with your owner’s manual. Motorcycle manufacturers often provide specific intervals based on the design and engineering of the particular bike. If you can’t find your manual – or you never had one – you should be able to get the information online. On Google, type in a search that includes the year, brand name and model name of your motorcycle (e.g. 2019 Suzuki Swift).

Types Of Motorcycle Oil
Recommendations for oil changes on motorcycles vary according to the type of oil you’re using:

  • conventional mineral oil (every 2,000 to 3,000 miles)
  • semi-synthetic oil (every 5,000 to 6,000 miles)
  • full synthetic oil (every 7,000 to 10,000 miles)

Riding Conditions
If you often ride your motorcycle in extreme conditions (such as stop-and-go traffic or very hot, cold, or dusty environments), you should change the oil more frequently.

Time-Based Oil Changes
Oil can degrade over time (due to moisture and other contaminants), so even if don’t put many miles on your motorcycle, you should change the oil at least once a year.

Engine Size and Type
Some smaller motorcycle engines or air-cooled motorcycle engines might require more frequent oil changes due to their operating conditions.

Brand New Motorcycles – Break-In Period
If you have a brand-new motorcycle, it’s often recommended that you change the oil after the initial 500-1,000 miles. During this initial riding period, the engine components are “breaking in,” which might result in more contaminants in the oil.

Oil Filters
It’s a good idea to replace the oil filter each time you change the oil on your motorcycle. The oil filter traps contaminants, and a clogged or old filter could potentially allow harmful particles to circulate in the engine!

See related topics:
Motorcycle Maintenance
Emergency Tools And Parts Kits For Motorcycles
Motorcycle Parts
Motorcycle Repairs
Motorcycle Accessories