HOW TO CHECK MOTORCYCLE OIL

Motorcycle engine oil needs to be checked regularly. Fortunately, it's an easy job that everybody can do, as we explain here.

How to check motorcycle engine oil

Whether you ride a shaft drive motorcycle or a chain-drive classic, it's essential to check your engine oil regularly. That's because every motorcycle engine needs an appropriate level of the right oil - in the right condition - in order to give you the performance, economy and reliability you deserve.

Fortunately, checking your engine oil is an easy task on almost every motorcycle.

First park your bike on level ground - usually on a centerstand or paddock stand - and leave it for at least 20 minutes to cool down if the engine has been hot, and to allow all of the oil to drain into the sump before carrying out your check. Your next step depends on whether your motorcycle has an inspection window or a dipstick.

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Chcecking Oil through the inspection window

Checking Oil through the inspection window

Most modern bikes have a glass inspection window to let you see the level and the condition of your motorcycle engine oil without getting your hands dirty. You may have to get close to the ground to use this properly, but oil checks like these are easy to get right by following a few simple rules.

Checking motorcycle oil with a dipstick

It's important to check motorcycle oil at regular intervals in order to maintain your bike's performance and safety. Fortunately, this is an easy task even if your bike has a dipstick rather than an inspection window. Just follow our simple guidelines to assess your motorcycle oil level and condition in minutes.

Topping off motorcycle engine oil

Most bikes burn off a little engine oil, and it's important to check the level and condition of motorcycle engine oil regularly. It's also essential to maintain the right level of engine oil by topping off with the correct grade of motorcycle oil whenever your inspection window or dipstick check says your oil level is low.

How to change motorcycle engine oil

Pretty much the best thing you can do for your bike is to change its engine oil regularly, especially as your gears will generally share the same oil supply. The good news is that it's pretty easy to change you motorcycle engine oil, with just a few simple tools and few easy rules, as we explain here.

Recycling used motorcycle oil

It may be a natural product, but waste oil can be incredibly harmful to the environment if not disposed of correctly. Castrol is committed to recycling oil to the greatest possible extent, and we encourage every valued customer to play their part by learning how to make sure their used motorcycle oil is safely recycled.

How often to check motorcycle oil

How often to check motorcycle engine oil? Our answer will always be to check it as often as possible. That's because even the best motorcycle oil won't protect your engine if the level gets too low, and even if your bike doesn't usually burn much oil, a few hot days and hard rides can burn off more oil than you might expect.

How to check motorcycle brake fluid

Motorcycle brake fluid, or motorcycle brake oil as it's also known, is a highly engineered fluid that has the ability to withstand extreme temperatures and look after the entire brake system. It's vital to check the level of your brake fluid regularly, and to follow our simple guide to topping off whenever necessary.

How to change motorcycle transmission oil

While many motorcycles have one sump that lubricates the engine and transmission, some classics have a 'pre-unit' construction that means they need separate gear oil. The good news is that it's fairly easy to do this job at home by following our simple, step-by-step guide to changing motorcycle transmission oil.