Engine oil is one of the complicated motorcycle lubricants ever formulated. And this is because it’s expected to do so much from lubrication, protecting engine components against wear, corrosion, acid generation, maintaining stable viscosity, and so much more.
But even with such a heavy burden on their shoulders, many riders typically don’t pay much attention to their oil.
After all, oil is oil, right? In the old days, maybe.
Back then, there wasn’t much care about the quality of oil, and any oil could serve all the needs of your bike, from the gearbox, engine, clutch to lubing your chain.
Personally, before my life was taken over by oil and other automotive fluids, I used whatever oil I would find.
Yes, it worked, but with time, I came to realize I was doing a great disservice to my dirt bike.
See, my bike engine would often heat up, lose power frequently and corrode specific engine components.
By then, I thought this was normal and didn’t care much about replacing my oil. Temporary and quick fixes were my go-to solutions.
My watershed moment came after my bike stalled on the Interstate, and I had to tow it to my mech.
On close inspection, he noted that my engine was blown out and needed a new replacement.
The cause was the cheap and low-quality engine oil I’ve been running on. It had broken over time and solidified into a baked, sludge-like buildup. It’s what killed my engine.
It was an expensive mistake but a lesson learned.
From there on, I never take chances with the engine oil.
I don’t go for cheapos out there or even fail to do my maintenance regularly. I know the repercussions can be dire.
But with so many engines oils in the market, choosing the correct oil for your dirt motorbike can be nerve-wracking.
Oil recommendations aren’t good either because they feel like debating politics and religion. Everyone has their preferences.
The good news is, I’ve prepared a guide below, outlining some of my favorite dirt bike engine oils.
I’ve also compiled a handy buying guide, and this should help you make a more informed decision on your next purchase.
Table of Contents
- 1 Table of Contents
- 2 Quick Comparison Table!
- 3 The Best Dirt Bike Engine Oil For The Money
- 4 #1 Castrol 06112 POWER - EDITOR'S CHOICE
- 5 #2 Valvoline 4-Stroke Dirt Bike Oil – Best Oil for Wet Clutch Dirt Bikes
- 6 #3 Maxima Motorcycle Engine Oil – Best Bang for the Buck
- 7 #4 YamaLube 4 Four Stroke Oil – All-Purpose Dirt Bike Engine Oil
- 8 #5 Royal Purple High-Performance Street Motor Oil – High-performance Motor Oil
- 9 #6 Kawasaki 4-Stroke Motorcycle Engine Oil – Best Conventional Oil
- 10 Best Dirt Bike Oil Buying Guide
- 11 Wrap Up: Our Choice
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table!
The Best Dirt Bike Engine Oil For The Money
#1 Castrol 06112 POWER - EDITOR'S CHOICE
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
I’m not usually so readily impressed.
But after trying the new Castrol Power oil on my TVS Apache RTR160, I can say, without a doubt, there’s some true sorcery going on.
My bike has quieted, the gear shift is better, and the general performance has improved drastically.
With each oil change, my bike regains more power through acceleration, and the overall handling is awesome.
So, what’s so special with Castrol Power Oil?
I can’t really point out one specific element because a lot is going on for this product. But we shall handle each element one by one.
The first thing that impressed me with Castor Power oil was the incredible shear stability to prevent viscosity breakdown.
It’s a good and reliable oil that will maintain its viscosity, even during my hard riding and racing. The oil’s quality doesn’t get inconsistent or too thin, so it doesn’t foul plugs on the pressurized crankcase.
Castor Power 4-stroke dirt bike oil also introduces Trizone Technology.
Simply put, this is a technology formulated to protect all the three critical zones of your bike’s drivetrain; the clutch, engine, and gearbox.
From experience, the technology performs similarly to the premium M1, and I can’t even tell the difference.
My clutch feels smoother, with butter shifts, and the overall cadence is awesome.
Transmission is incredible, and I noticed how the engine and the gearbox were free from vibration. Shifting was also smoother, and I could effortlessly find neutral.
Another draw to this bad boy is how it changes viscosity when subjected to mechanical stress. This is necessary, especially if I’m riding in extreme weather conditions, whether on my water-cooled engines, high-temp air-cooled engines, or marine engines.
It’s simply amazing how the film of oil gets in between the engine, lubricating everything and protecting your engine from a seizure at both ends of the engine temperature range. Think of the cold starts in winter and prolonged high-speed racing in summer.
Castor 4-stroke Dirt Bike Oil also features a healthy addition of silicone additives to help with the overall performance.
One of the amazing surface-active additives is race-derived additives.
Race-ready or wet clutch additives play an important role in demanding situations such as hill-climbing, extreme loads, or enduro race tracks.
Along with extra power, it helps to deliver efficient acceleration at the simple touch of the throttle. With the help of reduced internal friction, I managed to pick up superior acceleration with the least effort.
During testing, I noticed the idling speed had bumped up from 1,400 RPM to 1,500 RPM.
What about real-life traffic?
On the trail, I felt my clutch was more progressive. The shift into first gear was much smoother than before; it clicked in place effortlessly.
Throughout the ride, the engine refinement was consistent, and the power delivery was incredible.
Launches from the traffic lights were smooth and complemented by faster acceleration at the twist of the throttle.
And before I forget, this motor oil is suitable for almost all 4-stroke dirt bike engines. It’s also compatible with dirt bikes from different manufacturers, including Yamaha, Honda, Bajaj, and more.
Overall, Castor 4-Stroke Dirt Bike Oil has proved to be quite a capable lubricant. It has a high-performance touch and won’t disappoint.
Pros
- Compatible with most 4-stroke bikes
- Keeps the engine, clutch and gearbox lubricated
- Better acceleration
Cons
- Not ideal for 2-stroke dirt bikes
#2 Valvoline 4-Stroke Dirt Bike Oil – Best Oil for Wet Clutch Dirt Bikes
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
I purchased the Valvoline Oil because I needed an oil change on my bike and was tired of wading through pages of opinion on what “non-motorcycle” oils work for a bike with a wet clutch.
See, my clutch was grabby, and I hated every moment I shifted my bike.
But after switching the Valvoline 4-Stroke Dirt Bike Oil, I think I’ll use it for all my dirt bikes changes.
It has superior wet clutch protection and is up there with top oil brands.
Valvoline Oil is formulated for the specific needs of your bike, including high RPMs. I can confidently use my bike even for the intense enduro races, under extreme loads, or hill climbing without worrying about my engine blowing out.
Secondly, Valvoline 4-Stroke Dirt Bike Oil maximizes power and acceleration.
While not as effective as Castrol’s Trizone Engine Technology, it’ll bump your overall speed by a few seconds. Taking off from a red light stop and achieving full speed should be effortless and takes seconds. I can even keep up with my friends on cars and dirt bikes.
Like most dirt oil engine oils on the list, Valvoline Oil is also a fully-synthetic oil and is definitely easy on your engine.
Several seasons of using the 4-stroke oil, I’ve not encountered any problems so far, and I don’t see like I’m going to replace anything soon. The bearings and valve train are in pristine condition and don’t even have a hint of wear.
The premium multi-grade oil is specially formulated for all the all-around protection of the engine components. It prevents the wear and corrosion of the components, helping your engine perform its best.
On top of that, it works hard to protect your engine against the harmful carbon deposits that may wreck the engine components or decrease its performance. The special additives here are handy at combating scuffing and eliminating ring sticking.
Performance-wise, I’m pleased with Valvoline’s shear stability.
It works like a charm, effectively maintaining the viciousness of the oil in any condition.
Valvoline oil isn’t affected by mechanical breakdown or even high temperature changes. It retains its consistency and ensures better oil flow through the engine components to ensure no parts are worn out.
Plus, I love how well it resists oil film breakdown. Even when I’m cruising at speeds of 7mph on the Interstate, I don’t have to worry the oil will vaporize and fail to lubricate the motorcycle engines.
It meshes well with the components, eliminating any friction while transferring the heat better to keep my engine cool for an optimal riding experience.
Meanwhile, shifting with the Valvoline 4-Stroke Dirt Bike Oil under the hood feels like a treat.
It’s perfect for the wet clutches and holds up pretty well, even in the hard rides. I’m impressed at how it keeps the engines running smoothly and not too hot either.
Clutch operation is seamless, and I’ve no issues smooth shifting or finding Neutral. There’re no clutch modifiers or anything, and the oil keeps your clutch lubricated and lets you enjoy the smooth shifting and power transfer.
Overall, Valvoline is a top-quality oil, and it won’t break your pocketbooks.
It’s probably not the best oil available, but if you check the stats, you’ll see it compares to the higher-end models but with much more reasonable pricing.
Pros
- Maximum performance; anti-scuff additives
- Reasonable price
- Great cooling system; dissipate heat
- Incredible wet-clutch performance
Cons
- Not the best mileage
#3 Maxima Motorcycle Engine Oil – Best Bang for the Buck
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Maxima Motorcycle Engine Oil may not be the most inexpensive dirt engine oil on the list, but it offers the best bang for your buck.
It’s a conventional motorcycle oil that will work well for dirt bikes with specifications matching the oil.
I use Maxima Motorcycle Engine Oil on my Kawasaki, and it’s so far, it has impressed me with what it can do. It has a better & higher performance than the high-end Motul or Mobil.
Maxima Motorcycle Engine Oil can support cold weather start-up performance and high heat performance.
It’s one of the few synthetic oils that can support optimal performance in both extreme ranges of temperatures without fail.
So, whether you’re riding your bike in sub-zero Alaska, sunny Florida, or anything in between, you’ll benefit from the extra protection and better performance from this engine oil.
Maxima Motorcycle Engine Oil is also formulated with extra anti-scuff additives & anti-shear additives. You’ll no longer have to worry about the weather, intense pressure riding, or anything. It can control the load and peaks.
Even better, this Motorcycle Engine Oil has great shear abilities, and so it doesn’t break and performs exceptionally well when under mechanical stress.
Unlike my previous Lucas Oil, this one doesn’t lose viscosity, even when I’m pressing it hard on the tracks.
The superior blend of ultra-clean additives, synthetic additive, and petroleum base stocks means my engine doesn’t lose power and that I won’t require frequent oil changes.
Speaking of oil changes, Maxima Motorcycle Engine Oil is impressively stable and will promise a long life.
I love this stuff because I’ve already racked up several thousand miles, and yet, it’s still running strong and feels like it’s new.
On top of that, I no longer need to be very keen on the maintenance schedule because the oil does its work.
It burns clean, stays cool, and the valves are still looking strong. So far, I’ve not noticed any engine deposits, and the overall engine condition is pristine.
Overall, the Maxima Motorcycle Engine Oil might be a good pick for those picky with the quality and lazy on maintenance.
Performance-wise, Maxima Motorcycle Engine Oil is rated for wet clutch applications.
Along with clutch slip control, I noticed that my starts were smooth when I powered the motor.
There were no extra efforts during the start, and the noise was drastically subdued. The reason is there was much greater lubrication, and the oil drew away from the excess heat from the engine.
On the road, Maxima Motorcycle Engine Oil improved my bike’s engine performance as promised.
I could immediately feel the difference in my Kawasaki since I went from shifting problems through gears to smoothness.
Transmissions were equally smoother, and there was no clunking of the gears or anything.
And the best part is that I can use this oil with all types of 4cycle high-performance engines, whether water-cooled or engine cooling.
Overall, this is an amazing product and may particularly appeal to those who don’t do a lot of maintenance on their dirt bikes. It improves the bike’s engine performance and is easy to care for.
Pros
- Value for money
- Smooth ride & transmissions
- Minimal engine deposits
Cons
- Flimsy packaging
#4 YamaLube 4 Four Stroke Oil – All-Purpose Dirt Bike Engine Oil
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
YamaLube is a budget purchase but offers more than you pay for the price.
Personally, it’s the only oil I would ever consider for my Yamaha dirt bikes. After all, Yamaha has tested this oil for their products and strongly recommends it.
Like any high-quality dirt bike, YamaLube offers nice protection to the engine from the wear and tear of daily use.
The precise blend of top-quality additives is great for preventing squeaking in your engine and noise-free transmission performance.
It’s available in a thick and golden brown-like syrup that you can bank on, keeping all the engine components moving freely and lowering the high temperatures.
YamaLube is the right oil for the clutches and will improve your shifting abilities by miles.
It’s incredible how it maintains a decent layer of film between the clutch plates. This helps to eliminate the grabby clutch problems and gear shifting problems.
With YamaLube under the hood, the drivetrain performance is smooth, and there’s no clunking. It also eliminates the sluggishness when accelerating, and the oil heats up pretty quickly.
On the tricky slopes, I didn’t have difficulties shifting gears or anything.
The oil seems the magical liquid that seeks to degrease all of your problems.
I’m pleased with how it effortlessly lubricates the engine components, and this comes in handy for those who need a quiet and improved rolling performance.
The balanced formula on this oil offers improved durability and gives your engine superior performance.
Along with maximizing your engine’s performance, YamaLube also improves the stable clutch performance, allowing you to track miles with greater confidence.
I’ve no problem using my bike on the intense enduro racing tracks or even hill climbing because I’m confident it’ll stand up to the intense usage and abuse.
Also, when using it for extreme weather conditions, the engine runs smoothly, and the overall engine life is prolonged.
And the good thing with this purchase is the performance blended minerals used on this high-quality oil can support different oil injection systems, including ATVs, motorcycles, scooters, and other engines.
The quality performance and anti-friction properties are handy for any engine type and go a long way to improve overall performance.
For the price, I must say, I’m surprised at how this bad boy excels in many departments.
Plus, it’s also certified by JASO MA, so you can always count on its performance, whether the clutch is wet or not.
Pros
- Budget pick
- Superior performance
- Multi-purpose; can be used on different oil injection systems
- Great clutch performance
Cons
- Flimsy packaging; jug with no cap
#5 Royal Purple High-Performance Street Motor Oil – High-performance Motor Oil
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
I can’t get enough of the Royal Purple.
This is the stuff you want for your engine.
It doesn’t cause engine failure, has superior protection, and is a great bargain.
I’ve been using it on my Kawasaki that had a tick for about 1000 miles. My mech said there wasn’t anything wrong with it.
But after changing to Royal Purple, I’ve not experienced any engine downtime, clunking, noises, or anything. The tick has even gone away.
A great benefit of the Royal Purple oil is the awesome viscosity. It has a special ZDDP additive that doesn’t vaporize easily, even in extreme and high temperatures ranges.
It does a great job at protecting the engine and has always served me well. It keeps me running in the Dakota winter and the Midwest hot summers.
On top of that, it has a long performance period, and I usually don’t see the need to replace it after every hundred miles.
It works perfectly well with modified heavy-duty engines and high mileage engines. Personally, I’ve raked up to 15,000 miles in between changes, and the oil is always clear, like new oil. And the good thing is the escalated gas mileage doesn’t result in the loss of engine power or anything.
Royal Purple also has elevated film strength, which the manufacturer claims is 3x to 4x of other oils.
Ultimately, the high shear strength translates to less wear. The film acts as a shield on the bearings and valvetrain, protecting them against heat and other elements.
With proper heat transfer and protection, you’ll notice how the engine runs noticeably smoother and feels more responsive.
You’ll also notice a difference in the noise output. The special additives, consisting of zinc anti-wear, and phosphorus content, do a great job of lubricating the engine components. There’s less metal-to-metal contact in the engine and, consequently, lower noise.
The frictionless experience is upped by the oil sealing on the piston ring and cylinder wall.
This is essential for allowing better oil combustion, which improves the overall horsepower for a better and stronger riding experience. It gives your engine the full power boost and is particularly handy when using the older bike engines.
Along with more power, oxidation stability also serves two other useful purposes.
It increases the oil efficiency and allows you to achieve better performance without frequent oil changes. Bingo! It saves you money and keeps environmental pollution to a minimum.
And when you add the HPS formula, you’ll benefit from extra protection, especially for the engines with close tolerances between cylinders and in surfaces.
The final benefit of the Royal Purple purchase is the advanced synthetic solvency.
It’s a system that ensures less clutter in your engine and minimizes the need for frequent changes. And when the changes happen, you’ll find everything down there quite neat and no carbon particles & residues.
Pros
- Silent performance
- Smoother riding
- Prevents overheating
- Reduced fuel consumption
Cons
- Bottling may result in leakage
#6 Kawasaki 4-Stroke Motorcycle Engine Oil – Best Conventional Oil
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
I’ve used the Kawasaki Engine Oil on my Ninja 650R, and my bike is running like the day I brought it home.
The oil has a superior engine and bearing protection.
It runs smooth, noiseless, and, more importantly, keeps the engine free from debris, residues, and other particles. Plus, it helps to prolong the life of the engine.
It’s also worth noting that this particular engine oil is conventional, so it generally runs a bit longer than most synthetic oils. I’ve used mine for almost 2000 miles, and I don’t feel like I’ll need a refill or change anytime soon.
I’m also impressed with its viciousness. Unlike my previous oil purchases that were thin and too slippery, this one is engineered to retain its original form and quality, even under immense pressure, high temperatures, or extreme conditions. It’ll always guarantee the freedom and protection of your engine components.
Along with superior engine protection, Kawasaki Engine Oil does a great job of keeping every component lubricated. It creates a film coating over the moving parts to shield them from grinding against each other for noise-free and optimal performance.
Performance-wise, Kawasaki Engine Oil is designed for wet clutches. It eliminates all clutch slippage and no oil level indicator.
A noise-free and prolonged engine performance are also one of the other perks of using this bad boy.
Pros
- Great lubrication
- High price
- Great performance
Cons
- Oil gets burnt quickly
Best Dirt Bike Oil Buying Guide
As promised, I’ll share what you need to know about selecting the right dirt bike engine oil for your needs.
But first, I’ll let’s look at some of the reasons you need to consider replacing your motorcycle oil.
Benefits of Motorcycle Oil
Here’re some of the reasons you should consider a motorcycle engine oil;
1) Engine lubrication
Oil eliminates friction and wear of the engine’s moving parts, enhancing overall performance and durability.
2) Cooling of your engine
Along with lubrication, engine oil carries the heat generated from the moving parts.
This way, your engine performs at optimal conditions.
3) Cleaning your engine
Usually, oil is made up of additives and base oil.
Base oil is responsible for lubrication, while additives provide a clean engine environment.
The additives contain carbon formation to help in keeping the engines in pristine conditions.
4) Improved efficiency and performance
By keeping your engine well lubricated and clean, the oil helps to improve the overall efficiency and performance of your engine.
5) Long engine life
A well-maintained engine is likely to last longer.
Engine oil eliminates the possibility of sludge building up and keeps all the components working well.
Types of Dirt Bike Engine Oil
Dirt bike oils are categorized into four.
2- Stroke Oil
The two-stroke oil is more refined than the 4-stroke oil.
It burns better, with more efficiency, and has numerous additives and detergents.
4-Stroke Oil
Four-stroke oil resembles car oil.
The main difference it has with the 2-stroke oil is it doesn’t mix with the gas.
Synthetic Oil
This is the most popular type of oil for dirt bikes.
Riders love synthetic oil because it has a high tolerance for high-revving engines.
Plus, it has a lower viscosity and will improve the overall engine performance in demanding conditions.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is generally dense, heavier, and less prone to leaking.
Usually, mineral oil is common with the old dirt bikes because they tend to leak if they’re using synthetic oil or any other oil version.
The other reason older dirt bikes use mineral oil is that their engines aren’t stressed enough to do well with the “lesser-performing” mineral oil.
Purchasing Decision: What to Consider when Selecting the Best Dirt Bike Oil
Before rushing to purchase your bike oil, it’s always good to go through the user manual.
This will help determine what types of oil your bike engine requires and avoid the costly mistakes of purchasing the wrong oil.
Of course, you’ll need some guidance in the selection process, and in the section below, I’ll share what to look for when buying oil.
Exhaust Smoke Reducer
Along with the performance, the best dirt bike oil should also consider the environmental concerns and pollution.
See, combustion of dirt bike oil in the engine produces smoke.
Smoke, in its very nature, contains harmful and toxic elements.
So, to counter the effects of these elements getting released into the atmosphere, oils come with additives that reduce the smoke.
In addition to the smoke-reducing additives, it’s also a good idea to consider dirt bike oils with a clean-burning formula.
Your choice of dirt bike oil should be eco-friendly and should generally not be toxic or harmful to the environment.
Anti-Wear
The ideal bike engine oil should come with the right dosage of anti-wear additives.
These are quite helpful at reducing the overall friction between the engine components.
Overall, their main task is to extend to the longevity of your engine and enhance the overall performance.
Low Deposit Formation
With time, dirt bike oil combustion results in harmful deposits in your engine, especially if your choice of oil lacks deposit control additives.
The problem with deposit formation in your engine is the buildup to a sludge-like material, which affects the overall engine’s performance.
For example, if the deposits occur at the throttle, you’re likely to experience restricted airflow, which can lead to the risk of pre-ignition or detonation.
So, when purchasing your next bike engine oil, seek to see that it has additives that will help with the minimal carbon deposits control.
Low Volatility
The ideal dirt bike engine should have low volatility.
This is to ensure it doesn’t evaporate as much even during combustion to protect the equipment.
Plus, it also means riders will not need frequent replacement.
Thermal Stability
Thermal stability also refers to heat resistance.
In engine oils, high thermal resistance is necessary as it prevents the dirt bike oil from deforming or foaming when under intense pressure.
It aids in eliminating premature oil breakdown and ensures the oil retains its quality state even after use in extreme conditions.
Additives
These are the extra components that help the oil perform better.
It boosts the overall oil performance in preventing wear, helps with stable viscosity, and much more.
Best Dirt Bike Oil Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use my car oils on my dirt bike?
A: I would advise you against using your car oil for your dirt bike engine.
But if there’re no motorcycle-specific oils available, you can use the car engines that have an API classification for motorcycles.
Q: Can I use a 2-stroke oil for my 4-stroke bike?
A: No, you can’t substitute a 2-stroke oil for your 4-stroke oil.
The reason is these engines work differently and may not support the different designs.
Otherwise, you’ll just be putting my bike at risk of damage.
Q: Can I use synthetic dirt bike oil on my dirt bike?
A: Yes, synthetic dirt bike oils are good.
But they’re not the best. I would strongly recommend you choose the regular blends.
Regular options have better performance and have fewer consequences than synthetic oil.
Q: Should I’ve a separate oil for my gearbox?
A: It depends on the type of engine you’re running.
Generally, most 2-stroke engines require you’ve separate dirt bike oils for the gearbox and the engines, while the 4-strokes can use the same oil for both.
Q: How often do I need to change my engine oil?
A: The frequency of change depends on the model and bike’s engine requirements.
My best advice is to consider the user manual since they’re routine or maintenance.
Of course, you can always change your motor oil even before the recommended date if you experience any high-performance engine oil-related issues.
Wrap Up: Our Choice
Our winner for the best bike engine oil is Castrol Power oil.
I recommend this purchase because it scores highly on most of the important metrics for the best oil.
It’s vicious, has great shear abilities, lubricates enough, and comes at a reasonable price.
