What is Motorcycle Mineral Oil?

We all know how crucial the motorbike oil for our motorbike engine is. And you may hear dealers telling you to use mineral oil for a few miles when purchasing a new motorbike. Now the question arises, what is motorcycle mineral oil? 

Mineral oil is a primary type of oil or the first by-product of gas processing which is highly recommended for a small engine that isn’t going from heavy use. Unlike synthetic oil, mineral oil is budget-friendly but fails to provide lubrication as synthetic motorbike oil. 

Let’s look at what it means and what you can do about it.

While writing the post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about motorbike mineral oil in easier words. 

What is Motorcycle Mineral Oil? 

I know many of you wonder whether mineral oil comes with certain minerals. But hey, there’s nothing called minerals in this oil; let me explain this to you. 

Mineral oil is the first by-product of petroleum processing. It is considered the rawest form among all types of motorbike oil. 

Mineral oil is a budget-friendly oil highly recommended for small motorbike engines that aren’t going from high tension or heavy use. 

Suppose you’re riding a low CC motorbike. Your dealer may recommend using only mineral oil because of its cost and lubrication power. 

But suppose you’re riding a high CC motorbike at usually high speed and putting high stress on your motorbike. In that case, mineral oil may not be suitable for you. 

Why? Let’s find out in the next section. 

Why Isn’t Motorcycle Mineral Oil Good for High CC Engines? 

So far, you understand what mineral motorbike oil is; now the question arises, why mineral motorcycle oil isn’t suitable for high CC engines? 

Mineral oil is the primary type or first by-product of gas processing. Although mineral oil has some lubrication properties, the lubrication power isn’t enough for a high CC motorcycle engine. 

You’ll need to use synthetic oil for high CC motorbike engine lubrication, which is a bit more expensive than mineral oil but comes with excellent lubrication properties. 

Why is Mineral Oil Only Great for Low CC Engines? 

So far, you understand what mineral oil is; now the question arises, why do experts always recommend using mineral oil if you have a low CC motorbike? 

The Low CC motorbike engine comes with a small piston and cylinder, which doesn’t cause high friction while running. 

In easier words, the small or low CC engine doesn’t make much friction while running, so there’s not enough demand for high lubrication power oil. 

The best thing about mineral oil is that it’s budget-friendly and can be used by anyone riding a low CC motorbike engine. 

What’re Some Other Types of Oil? 

So far, you understand why mineral oil is best for low CC engine motorbikes; now the question arises, what’re some other types of oil? 

Apart from mineral oil, the other two types of oil seen in the market are semi-synthetic oil and synthetic oil. 

Semi-Synthetic Oil: 

As the name suggests, semi-synthetic oil falls between mineral and synthetic oil. 

Semi-synthetic oil is probably the best option if someone has a middle-range motorbike engine. This oil comes with both properties of mineral oil and synthetic oil. 

Semi-synthetic oil comes with excellent lubrication properties like mineral oil and performance like synthetic oil. With this oil, you can expect excellent lubrication properties and the excellent performance power of synthetic oil.  

If you’re riding a middle-range motorbike with a 300-500 CC engine, then semi-synthetic oil is good. 

Synthetic Oil: 

Synthetic oil is considered the best oil solely designed for high CC motorbike engines going from high stress. 

Unlike mineral oil, synthetic oil is not made by any gas processing industry. Instead, synthetic oil is made from a polymer with the best lubricating power. 

And that’s why you see riders riding high CC motorbikes using this type of oil. 

The best thing about synthetic oil is that it won’t degrade quickly like mineral or semi-synthetic oil, which comes with a comparatively long life cycle. 

Do you know that motorbike oil breaks after some time? And the best thing about synthetic oil is that it won’t break too easily and quickly under high stress. 

Even some dealers claim that using synthetic oil in the motorbike engine boosts the engine’s life. However, more studies are awaited on this topic.

Can You Use a Mixed Oil? 

So far, you understand what mineral oil is and other types of oil. Now the question arises, can you use different types of oil? 

According to experts, mixing different types of oil together is the worst thing you can do with your motorbike, different oils come with different viscosities and molecular structures, making them different in their working mechanism. 

In easier words, don’t ever mix two different types of oil. 

Does Using the Wrong Type of Oil Cause Overheating? 

Sometimes the engine does not overheat because of low oil but because of oil type. 

Many of us don’t bother to cross-check the oil type the technician is using. Even some of us leave the whole oiling work to the technician. 

For instance, some technicians use mineral oil in the high CC engine and synthetic oil in the low CC engine. 

Using mismatched oil in your motorbike can harm your motorcycle engine instead of cooling it. 

Experts always recommend checking the oil level and its type before going for a long ride. And always remember to tell the technician about your motorbike engine demand before you miss the boat. 

Here’re recommended oil change frequency-time: 

Oil Type:	When to Change Oil:
Synthetic oil	After covering 8000 miles.
Seme-synthetic oil	When your motorbike covers more than 5000 miles.
Mineral oil	After covering 2000 miles.

Also, read my previous post where I discussed how motorbike oil coolers works, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

What is motorcycle mineral oil? Mineral oil is a primary type of oil or the first by-product of gas processing which is highly recommended for a small engine that isn’t going from heavy use. 

Unlike synthetic oil, mineral oil is budget-friendly but fails to provide lubrication as synthetic motorbike oil. 

I’ve mentioned some different types of oil and their usage, which you need to consider most while using the oil.