Which Motul oil you need depends on two things: the type of engine (2-stroke or 4-stroke) and the part you are lubricating. A 4-stroke uses 4T engine oil in the right viscosity, a 2-stroke mixes 2T oil with the fuel, and the fork, gearbox, brakes and cooling system each have their own fluid. The most important rule: always follow your bike's owner's manual.
Which Motul product groups are there?
Motul makes much more than just engine oil. These are the groups you will find in our range:
| Product group | Used for | Lines in our range |
|---|---|---|
| 4T engine oil | Crankcase of 4-stroke engines | 3000, 5000, 5100, 7100, NGEN 5, NGEN 7, 300V Factory Line |
| 2T oil | Premix lubrication of 2-stroke engines | 510, 710, 800 Factory Line, 100 Motomix, Scooter Power/Expert 2T |
| Gearbox oil | Separate gearbox or transmission | Transoil, Transoil Expert, Gearbox MOS2, Motyl Gear, Scooter gearbox oil |
| Fork oil | Front fork | Expert Fork Oil, Factory Line Fork Oil, Factory Line VI400 |
| Brake fluid | Brake and clutch system | DOT 3&4, DOT 4 RBF 600/660/700, DOT 5.1 |
| Coolant | Liquid-cooled engines | Motocool Expert, Motocool Factory Line, MoCool |
| MC Care | Chain, air filter, cleaning | Chain Clean, C3, C4, C5, A1, A2, A3, E range, P1, P2, P4 |
All variants and pack sizes are in the Motul collection.
What does a viscosity such as 10W40 mean?
Viscosity tells you how thick or thin an oil is. A multigrade oil such as 10W40 has two numbers:
- The number before the W (winter) tells you how well the oil flows when cold. The lower it is, the faster the oil reaches everywhere on a cold start.
- The number after the W indicates the thickness at operating temperature. The higher it is, the thicker the oil stays when the engine is warm.
So a 10W40 and a 10W50 are comparable when cold, but the 10W50 is thicker when warm. Do not choose a thicker or thinner oil than specified yourself: the bike manufacturer sets the viscosity based on the tolerances and temperatures in the engine. Note that gearbox oil (75W90, 80W90) uses a different scale; those numbers cannot be compared with engine oil.
4T engine oil: synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral?
The difference lies in the base oil. Mineral oil is refined from crude oil, while synthetic oil is chemically built up and stays more stable at high temperatures and under heavy load. Semi-synthetic oil sits in between.
- 3000: Motul's mineral base line, in 10W40, 15W50 and 20W50.
- 5000 and 5100: semi-synthetic; the 5100 is available in 10W30, 10W40, 10W50, 15W50 and 20W50.
- 7100: fully synthetic, from 5W40 up to and including 20W50, including 10W60.
- NGEN 5 and NGEN 7: 4T lines in grades including 10W40, 10W50 and 15W50; NGEN 7 also in 5W40.
- 300V Factory Line: the racing line, with separate Road Racing and Off Road versions in viscosities from 0W30 to 15W60.
For scooters there are dedicated Scooter Power and Scooter Expert 4T oils. If your bike has a wet clutch, also check the standard. In the catalogue, for example, the JASO MA2 rating is listed for the 300V Factory Line Off Road Racing 10W40. If your owner's manual specifies a JASO or API requirement, choose an oil that meets it.
2T oil: which premix oil suits your 2-stroke?
A 2-stroke is lubricated by oil that burns along with the petrol. That requires 2T oil, never 4T engine oil. In our range:
- 510 2T: semi-synthetic premix oil for everyday use.
- 710 2T: fully synthetic premix oil for heavier use.
- 800 Factory Line: racing premix oil in an Off Road and a Road Racing version.
- 100 Motomix: premix oil for 2-stroke engines.
- Scooter Power and Scooter Expert 2T: for 2-stroke scooters.
The mixing ratio is given in your bike's owner's manual and on the packaging. Stick to it; too little oil causes wear, too much can cause fouling.
Gearbox oil, fork oil and brake fluid
Gearbox oil is needed if your gearbox has its own oil circuit, as on many 2-strokes. Motul supplies Transoil (10W30), Transoil Expert (10W40), Gearbox MOS2 (80W90) and Motyl Gear (75W90), among others, plus a scooter gearbox oil in 80W90.
Fork oil helps determine how your front fork damps. The Factory Line Fork Oil is available in 2.5W, 5W, 7.5W and 10W, the Expert Fork Oil in 5W, 10W, 15W and 20W. A lower number is thinner and damps less.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and therefore needs to be changed regularly. Only use the DOT class specified by your manufacturer: DOT 3&4, DOT 4 (RBF 600, 660, 700) or DOT 5.1.
Coolant and MC Care maintenance
For liquid-cooled engines there are Motocool Expert and Motocool Factory Line; follow the instructions for mixing ratio and fill quantity. Use Radiator Clean to flush the cooling system before you fill it with new coolant.
The MC Care range covers the rest of your maintenance:
- Chain: Chain Clean for cleaning, then C3 Chain Lube Off Road, C4 Factory Line or C5 Chain Paste. Apply chain spray to a clean, dry chain.
- Air filter: A1 Air Filter Clean for cleaning, A2 or A3 Air Filter Oil for foam air filters. Spread the oil evenly and remove the excess.
- Cleaning and care: E2 Moto Wash, E3 Wheel Clean, E9 Wash & Wax, E10 Shine & Go, E11 Matte Clean and M1 Helmet & Visor Clean.
- Workshop: P1 Carbu Clean, P2 Brake Clean and P4 E.Z. Lube.
You will find them all in the Motul collection.
How to choose in 3 steps
- Get out your owner's manual. Note the engine type (2-stroke or 4-stroke), the specified viscosity, any standards (JASO, API) and the DOT class of your brake fluid.
- Choose the product group. Engine oil, premix oil, gearbox oil, fork oil, brake fluid or coolant: each part gets its own fluid.
- Choose the line within that group. Within the specified grade, choose based on use: semi-synthetic for normal use, fully synthetic or Factory Line for heavier loads and racing.
Frequently asked questions
What does 10W40 on a bottle of engine oil mean?
The first number with the W (winter) tells you how easily the oil flows when cold: the lower it is, the smoother a cold start. The second number indicates the viscosity at operating temperature: the higher it is, the thicker the oil film when the engine is warm. Your owner's manual tells you which grade your bike needs.
Can I use 4T engine oil in a 2-stroke?
No. A 2-stroke needs oil that burns along with the fuel, such as 2T premix oil (Motul 510, 710, 800 or 100 Motomix). 4T engine oil is meant for the crankcase of a 4-stroke. For the gearbox of a 2-stroke, you use a separate gearbox oil as specified in the owner's manual.
Is synthetic engine oil always better?
Not necessarily. Fully synthetic oil such as Motul 7100 is made for heavy loads and high temperatures, but the right viscosity and specification according to the owner's manual are more important than the type of base oil. Semi-synthetic oil such as the 5100 is a fine choice for many bikes.
What is JASO MA2 and do I need it?
JASO MA2 is a standard for 4-stroke engine oil suitable for bikes with a wet clutch, where the clutch runs in the oil. In our Motul range, the rating is listed for example on the 300V Factory Line Off Road Racing 10W40. Your owner's manual tells you whether your bike requires this standard.
Which fork oil should I choose?
Choose the viscosity specified by the manufacturer of your bike or suspension. A lower number (for example 2.5W or 5W) is thinner and gives less damping than a higher number (15W or 20W). Note: fork oil grades are not standardised between brands, so if in doubt, stick to the specification.
Can I mix different brake fluids?
Always use the DOT class specified by the manufacturer; it is usually shown on the brake reservoir cap and in the owner's manual. We advise against mixing: if in doubt, replace the brake fluid completely. Motul supplies DOT 3&4, DOT 4 (RBF 600, 660 and 700) and DOT 5.1, among others.
You will find all Motul oils and maintenance products in the Motul collection, shipped from the Netherlands. Not sure which oil or fluid you need? Send us a message with the make, model and year of your bike, and we will help you choose.