By Lukeron Lubricants · Last updated
Quick answer
The grade for your bike or scooter is the one in the owner's manual. In general, 20W-40 is common for commuter motorcycles, 10W-30 for scooters and many newer bikes, and 10W-40 for some newer motorcycles with API SP. Motorcycles that share oil with a wet clutch need a JASO MA or MA2 oil, and many scooters use JASO MB. Do not use car engine oil in a motorcycle with a wet clutch.
Two-wheeler engine oil grades at a glance
| Grade | Often named for | Lukeron product |
|---|---|---|
| 20W-40 | Commuter motorcycles, air-cooled 4-stroke engines | SPL 4-Stroke 20W-40 API SN |
| 10W-30 | Scooters and many newer commuter bikes | SPL 4-Stroke 10W-30 API SN |
| 10W-40 | Some newer motorcycles, often with API SP | SPL 4-Stroke 10W-40 API SP |
| 20W-50 | Some older or heavily used engines, only if the maker allows | SPL 4-Stroke 20W-50 API SN |
General guidance only. Follow the vehicle maker's manual for grade, API level and JASO rating.
Bike and scooter owners ask the same questions again and again. Is 20W-40 or 10W-30 right for my two-wheeler? What does JASO MA mean? Can I use car oil? This guide answers them in plain words. One rule comes first: the owner's manual decides the grade.
What the numbers on a two-wheeler oil mean
In 20W-40, the first number with the W (winter) shows how easily the oil flows when the engine is cold. The second number shows how thick the oil stays when the engine is hot. A lower first number flows more easily at start-up. A higher second number gives a thicker film when hot. So 10W-30 is thinner than 20W-40 both cold and hot.
Which grade for which two-wheeler
- 20W-40: very common in commuter motorcycles in India and widely named in manuals for air-cooled 4-stroke engines.
- 10W-30: common in scooters and in many newer commuter bikes.
- 10W-40: named in some newer motorcycles, often together with API SP.
- 20W-50: named in some older or heavily used engines and for hot conditions, only when the maker allows it.
Our catalogue lists the Lukeron SPL 4-Stroke 20W-40 for motorcycles and the SPL 4-Stroke 10W-30 for scooters. That is a guide to typical use. The manual of your vehicle comes first.
JASO MA and JASO MB: why they matter
JASO is a Japanese standard for motorcycle oils. Most motorcycles use one oil for the engine, the gearbox and the wet clutch. For these, the manual asks for JASO MA or MA2, which keep the clutch gripping. Many scooters have no wet clutch and use a different rating, JASO MB. Check the rating the manual names, and check the product data sheet (TDS) for the rating of the oil you buy.
Why not use car engine oil in a bike
Many car oils carry friction-reducing additives that suit a car engine but can make a wet clutch slip. If your motorcycle shares oil between the engine and the clutch, use a motorcycle oil with the right JASO rating.
API SN or API SP for a bike
API SN suits most motorcycles and scooters on the road today. API SP is the newer rating, written for newer engines. If your manual names SN, SN or SP will do. If it names SP, use SP. The viscosity grade must match the manual in both cases.
How often to change the oil
Follow the interval in the owner's manual. Our 4-stroke bike oils list a drain interval of up to 4,000 km in the catalogue. Heavy use, stop-and-go traffic, dust and carrying loads all shorten the interval. Check the level on the dipstick or sight glass often.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using a thicker oil because the engine is old, without the maker's advice.
- Using car oil in a motorcycle with a wet clutch.
- Ignoring the JASO rating on the bottle.
- Topping up with a different grade every time. Drain and refill with one grade.
- Overfilling. Fill to the mark.
How to choose in four steps
- Read the owner's manual for the viscosity grade, the API level and the JASO rating.
- Match all three on the bottle.
- Check the manufacturer and the pack. Buy from a seller you can trust.
- If the manual is missing, send us the vehicle name and model and our team will help you choose.