What is the Perfect Oil for 100-150cc Motorcycles?

Manual motorcycles have become the primary means of transportation for Vietnamese people over the years. These bikes are durable, easy to use, fuel-efficient, and increasingly improved with trendy, modern designs. To ensure the performance and longevity of the vehicle, selecting the right type of oil is crucial. Here are some important considerations when choosing oil.

Choosing the right oil helps the bike operate at optimal capacity and maintains engine health.

1. Choosing oil for manual motorcycles is not as simple as it seems.

With their widespread usage, manual motorcycles have gradually lost importance, and maintenance is often overlooked. In Vietnam, popular models like Wave, Sirius, Future, and Dream are often serviced based on habit, meaning many owners do not fully understand the specifications of the oil they use.

The information printed on the oil bottle indicates how to use each type of oil.

The issue with using the wrong oil is that it does not show immediate consequences but instead directly affects the engine over time. To select the right oil, consider weather conditions, usage habits, intended purposes, and vehicle models. The simplest way is to read the specifications printed on the bottle, including:

• Viscosity index

This indicates the thickness of the oil, usually denoted as xWy, for example, 10W40 or 5W50. The larger the number, the thicker the oil. Thicker oils, common like 10W50 or 5W50, are preferred for long trips since after about 100 km, the oil starts to heat up and flow into the machine's crevices. In contrast, thinner oils like 10W40 are suitable for short city trips.

• API oil rating

This always comes with two letters, for instance: API SN. The first letter indicates the fuel type; C is for diesel engines, and S is for gasoline engines. The second letter, arranged alphabetically, indicates the oil quality, ranging from low to high, with N being the highest currently available. When purchasing vehicles, manufacturers often recommend specific oil grades, making it important to choose the right type.

• JASO

This distinguishes which type of oil is meant for specific vehicles. For example, JASO MA and JASO MA2 are for 4-stroke motorcycles, JASO MB is for scooters, and JASO FC and JASO FD are for 2-stroke motorcycles.

• Synthetic or semi-synthetic oil

Synthetic oil is made primarily from synthetic base oil. It offers high lubrication capabilities, is specialized, and has a long lifespan but is