Have you ever wondered how long your dirt bike should go between oil changes? This is a common question that many bikers have, but some dirt bike enthusiasts know that changing the engine oil is part of proper dirt bike maintenance.
A dirt bike oil change is quite simple, but most guys forget to change it, which ends up damaging the bike’s engine. If you’re wondering when you should do an oil change, this article is for you.
What does oil do in a dirt bike?
Dirt bike oil doesn’t not only act as a lubricant but also cleans the crucial internal components to prevent excessive wear and tear inside the engine. When you start your dirt bike and rev the engine, the oil cleans, lubricates, and protects it from ultra-high temperatures and cold starts.
Most riders don’t know that motor oil also helps keep your engine cool. The engine oil absorbs high temperatures in the combustion chamber, which lowers the motor’s internal temperatures. An oiled and cool engine runs quietly, smoothly, and is more fuel-efficient.
Additionally, using the right kind of oil prolongs your engine’s life and saves you money on maintenance costs in the long run.
What is an oil change?
Any bike owner knows that an oil change is a complex routine when it comes to taking care of your dirt bike. For a smooth ride, your dirt bike should have a sufficient amount of engine oil.
Over time, oil gets dirty and needs to be replenished in order to run the engine smoothly. This act of changing the used oil in your bike’s engine and replenishing it with new is what we call an oil change.
Why do you change the oil in dirt bikes?
Changing oil is probably the most crucial part of routine maintenance for any dirt bike. But why do you need to change the oil on your bike? Clean oil provides the right lubrication needed to keep the bike’s engine rotating, moving, and sliding without tear and wear.
Over time, the oil breaks down and doesn’t lubricate the engine as expected because it has contaminants. This is the reason why you need to keep your bike’s air filter clean at all times.
If you keep using the same filter and oil, the oil will not lubricate the engine, and the internal parts will start building up more and more friction.
What happens if you don’t change your dirt bike oil?
Running your dirt bike engine with dirty oil is a terrible idea. The bike will run for a while, but this will cost you a fortune to repair. Without proper lubrication, the internal components will wear out at high speeds and with increasing temperatures.
Eventually, your engine can be seized and become completely damaged. It’s not worth using old, dirty oil for longer than recommended. A regular oil change will prolong the lifespan of your bike and improve its performance.
Although this may seem like a complicated and expensive part of maintenance, an oil change is better than paying expensive maintenance costs or rebuilding the motor.
So, how long can a dirt bike go without an oil change?
Your oil maintenance schedule depends on the type of rider you are. If you like riding hard in tough conditions, you’ll need to change your oil as soon as recommended.
For riders who take it easy on light gravel roads and smooth trails, you can take longer to do an oil change. However, it’s advisable to stick to the maintenance schedule to avoid engine issues.
If your engine uses mineral-based oil, you need to change the oil every 2,000 miles. If you use semi-synthetic motor oil, change the oil after 5,000-6,000 miles. For those who use fully-synthetic oil, it’s advisable to change the oil after 7,000-10,000 miles.
However, there are some cases where you need to change the bike oil after every ride. Generally, the more you change your oil, the less you need to change the oil filter.
Factors that affect how often you should change your dirt bike oil
How often you change your dirt bike’s oil depends on various factors, including:
- The type of oil used
- Your dirt bikes model, make, and year
- How you use your bike
Signs your dirt bike needs an oil change
- Check if the oil is black and gritty. Clean oil should be smooth, without grittiness or particles.
- Your engine runs louder than usual
- Warning lights keep blinking
- The oil level is below the minimum mark
FAQs
Can you put car oil in a dirt bike?
It depends. You can use car oil if your dirt bike has a separate gearbox. If not, you need to stick to engine oils meant for dirt bikes.
Do dirt bikes have oil filters?
Yes. Dirt bikes come with oil filters that eliminate dirt and other contaminants from the engine oil.
What is the best 4-stroke dirt bike oil?
When choosing the best 4-stroke dirt bike oil, you need to consider important factors like viscosity and API classification. Some of the best 4-stroke dirt bike oils include
- Castrol Power1 4T 10W-40 Engine Oil
- Valvoline 4-Stroke SAE 10W-40 Engine Oil
- Maxima Premium4 10W-40 Engine Oil
- Quicksilver SAE 10W-30 Engine Oil
- Kawasaki 4-Stroke SAE 10W-40 Engine Oil
Conclusion
How often you change your bike oil will depend on various factors. If you’re a hardcore rider, you will need to change your oil as recommended. If you use your bike on weekends, change the oil at least twice a year. Always check the oil levels of your dirt bike and maintain the correct amount of oil.