Best Motorcycle Oils: Keep Your Motorcycle Running at Peak Performance

Best Overall: Castrol Power1 V-Twin Synthetic

Best Value: Honda Pro GN4 Motorcycle Oil

Honorable Mention:  Motul 300 V2 Competition Synthetic Engine Oil

Best Synthetic: Mobil 1 Racing Engine Oil

Best for Hot Weather: Lucas High Performance Motorcycle Oil

Best for Cold Weather: K&N 10W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil

While I have many years of experience riding, working, repairing, and maintaining different kinds of motorcycles, I would never presume to claim I know more about motorcycle oil than someone else. However, I do have the life experience to give my two cents on the matter. 

Here at The Drive, we understand that you want to get the most out of your bike, and cheap oil costs you more in the long run, so I didn’t consider any discount or low-budget general use oil. I stuck with well-known, trusted brands. From there, I looked for unique qualities and a proven track record of performance. It seems like all oil companies boast about additives, but I drilled down beyond this generalized claim to consider what those additives actually were and how they would help the performance of your bike engine. 

My top pick for the best motorcycle oil is the Castrol Power1 V-Twin Synthetic because it’s a reliable oil that will work well in larger engines to give you smoother performance. 

A more affordable option for those on a budget is the Honda Pro GN4 Motorcycle Oil. You can purchase it in larger quantities, and it’s formulated to last longer between oil changes. 

Semi-synthetic oils are a mixture of mineral-based and synthetic oils. This type of oil is fine for casual riders and commuters who aren't overly taxing their bikes. Full synthetic oil typically comes with a range of additives to help it perform better and protect your engine. This is the oil used on track day and any other situation where your engine will be under serious stress. It will give you the maximum level of lubrication, which reduces fixture, heat, and the risk of damage. Always check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommended type of oil. It is pretty hard to go wrong if you listen to the engineers that designed your bike. 

That combination of letters and numbers that you see is actually giving you some important information about the resistance and flow of the oil. You need an oil that flows well enough at cool temperatures to protect your bike when you first start it. It also needs to not evaporate or lose pressure at high temperatures when your bike is running. You'll see a code for classifying oil with a number, a "W", and another number. The W in the code stands for winter. The first number is how viscous the oil is at zero degrees Fahrenheit. It tells you how well the oil flows when it is cold. The second number tells you how well the oil flows at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Most modern bikes have an electric start, so they benefit from a thinner oil than older bikes that are kick start. As a result, there is less priming action happening, so the dry-run period where there is no oil flowing is a little longer and a little tougher on the engine. Additionally, air-cooled bikes depend on the oil to also act as a coolant. This means the oil goes through more temperature fluctuations than liquid-cooled bikes. 

Full synthetic oil is more expensive than a blend or mineral oil. It requires the most processing and comes with more additives. Within these three categories, you'll find a range of oil prices. You get what you pay for when it comes to oil, so do not do your bike a disservice by using the cheapest oil you can find. Additionally, it is worth spending a bit more for specialty oil if you are riding in extreme climates or putting your engine under stress like track day or racing. 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.