How to choose the right oil for your motorcycle fleet

Efficiently managing a motorcycle fleet is a complex issue, as it involves optimizing performance, minimizing costs, and prolonging the vehicles' useful life. A crucial, often forgotten, element in this equation is choosing the engine oil. 

Oil is essential for any motorcycle to functioning properly and their longevity. Its main function is lubrication, creating a protective film between moving parts to reduce friction and wear and tear. But its plays a much important role goes. It also contributes to engine cooling, dissipating the heat generated from combustion, and cleaning, eliminating residues and deposits that can affect its performance. 

That's why it is highly important to choose the right oil for each motorcycle, with the first factor to take into account being whether the engine is 2 stroke (2T) or 4 stroke (4T). Understanding the differences between them, choosing the most appropriate one, and establishing a preventive maintenance program allows you to optimize your fleet's performance and reduce operating costs. 

2T-engine oil: integrated lubrication

In 2-stroke engines, the oil is mixed directly with the fuel, being it is burned with it in each cycle. This particularity requires an oil with specific characteristics. So, it must be able to effectively lubricate all engine components, even at high temperatures and pressures, while burning cleanly, minimizing the formation of smoke, residue, and deposits. 

Choosing the wrong oil for 2-stroke engines can lead to poor lubrication, increased wear and tear, debris build-up in the engine, and ultimately a significant reduction in its useful life. The formation of deposits can clog up exhaust ducts, affecting performance and increasing polluting emissions. 

For motorcycle fleets with 2-stroke engines, it is crucial to select oils with a specific formulation, paying attention to their clean combustion capacity and their ability to protect the engine in highly demanding conditions.

4T-engine oil: independent lubrication

In 4-stroke engines, oil and fuel are kept separate, circulating through independent circuits. Oil lubricates the engine's moving parts, but does not participate in combustion. This separation allows for the use of oils with more complex formulations, designed to offer greater protection against wear and tear, oxidation, and corrosion. 

It should be noted that, on motorcycles with gears, the oil lubricates the engine, where low friction is required, but also the gearbox and clutch, where high friction is needed. This is why motorcycle lubricants have a special additive that takes this characteristic into account.

4-stroke engine oils must also maintain their viscosity and lubricating properties over time and at different temperatures, ensuring optimal performance in various operating conditions. 

Choosing the right 4-stroke oil for a motorcycle fleet is essential to minimize engine wear and tear, prolong maintenance intervals, and reduce operating costs. High-quality oil can significantly contribute to fuel efficiency, a crucial factor for any fleet's profitability.

Criteria for choosing motorcycle fleet oils

Choosing oil for a motorcycle fleet is a strategic issue that directly impacts the operating costs and the fleet's efficiency. That's why it is essential to consider aspects such as viscosity, which determines fluidity at different temperatures, or operating conditions, such as ambient temperature, load transported or frequency of use. 

Always remember to consult the manufacturer's manual or the approvals of each oil, as this way you will be able to make sure you are looking at the right lubricant for your motorcycle fleet. To make your work easier, Repsol Lubricants has a search engine where you can find the product you need by simply typing in the motorcycle model or its license plate.

Another recommendation is to try and reduce the number of lubricant references as much as possible if your fleet has various motorcycle models. That way your stock is made simple, which is a good way to avoid filling errors. For example, it is common for manuals to tell you that different viscosities can be used on the same motorcycle. So, an interesting option is to consider the use of a higher quality lubricant that works for the entire fleet.

Finally, remember that a preventative maintenance program that includes regular oil and filter changes is essential to maximizing engine life and optimizing fleet performance. Don't see lubrication as just another expense, but rather a strategic investment that contributes to the efficiency and profitability of your business.