Let’s start at the beginning with a look at what oil does inside your engine. Yes, it’s a lubricant that ensures metal doesn’t touch metal and everything moves smoothly and effortlessly, but oil also performs a number of other vital tasks.

If eyes are windows to the soul, then a sight glass or dipstick is a window to the lifeblood of your ride. It’s time to check your oil.

Most of a motorcycle engine’s wear happens at start up. Welcome to the wonderful world of oil viscosity.

There’s plenty of reasons in favour of taking the time to change your motorcycle’s oil yourself: It’s cheaper; it doesn’t take that long; it’s fun; it’ll get done right. How’s that lot for starters?

“Okay,” you say to us, “please explain why I have to pay sooooo much more for motorcycle engine oil compared to car engine oil.” Actually, we don’t think we can. Seriously, we don’t think we can.

Remember when oil was just, well oil? Not any longer, now you have choices to make: Conventional? Semi synthetic? Synthetic? High mileage? And the list goes on…