🛢️ Understanding Motul Motorcycle Oils & Fluids: What All Those Terms Mean

Choosing Motorcycle OilJR Motorcycles
🛢️ Understanding Motul Motorcycle Oils & Fluids: What All Those Terms Mean

If you’ve browsed through our range of Motul motorcycle oils and fluids, you might’ve noticed words like Technosynthese®, Factory Line, and light or heavy scattered through the descriptions. We get it. It can be a bit confusing trying to figure out what’s best for your bike.

Here’s a simple guide to help you make sense of those terms, so you can confidently choose the right product for your needs.

🔢What Does the Viscosity Number Mean?

When you see something like 10W40 or 15W50, you’re looking at the oil’s viscosity: how thick or thin the oil is at certain temperatures.

  • First number (e.g. 10W): How the oil flows when cold. “W” stands for winter.

  • Second number (e.g. 40): How it performs at high temperatures (engine operating temperature).

🧴 Mineral, Semi-Synthetic, or Fully Synthetic?

Motul makes oils for all types of riders:

  • Mineral Oil – Basic protection. Best for older bikes or casual use.

  • TechnosyntheseÂŽ – Motul’s semi-synthetic blend. A mix of mineral and synthetic oils. More protection than mineral oil but still affordable.

  • 100% Synthetic – Ideal for modern engines. Long-lasting and performs well under pressure.

  • ESTER CoreÂŽ – Motul’s top-tier synthetic, found in 300V and Factory Line oils. Built for racing and extreme performance.

🔍 What is Technosynthese®?

Technosynthese® is Motul’s way of saying the oil is a blend of synthetic and mineral base oils. You get better performance than a purely mineral oil, but at a more affordable price than a full synthetic. It’s ideal for everyday riders who want reliability without going all-out on racing-grade oil.

🏁 What is Factory Line?

Motul’s Factory Line range is made for high-performance bikes, often used on the track or for serious sport riding. These oils are developed with direct input from racing teams. If you’re pushing your machine hard or want the absolute best, Factory Line is the top shelf.

🛢️ Motul Product Ranges Explained:

  • Motul 300V – Top-tier racing oil, 100% ester-core synthetic. Designed for maximum performance under extreme pressure and high temperature. Perfect for track use or performance-tuned road bikes.

  • Motul 7100 – Premium 100% synthetic oil using ester technology, suitable for high-performance road riding. Great for riders who want excellent protection and smooth shifting without going full race-spec.

  • Motul 5100 – TechnosyntheseÂŽ (semi-synthetic) oil offering a balance of performance and value. Ideal for daily riders and those who do light touring or weekend rides.

  • Motul 3000 – Mineral-based oil, ideal for older bikes or basic commuter motorcycles. Reliable protection at a budget-friendly price.

⚡ Motul 2-Stroke Oils 

  • Motul 300 – High-performance 2-stroke engine oil formulated for racing and competition use. Designed for premix lubrication systems, it provides superior protection, combustion cleanliness, and throttle response at high RPMs. Perfect for dirt bikes, scooters, or vintage 2-stroke motorcycles.

  • Motul 710 – A high-quality 2-stroke oil designed for both premix and oil injection systems. It offers excellent lubrication, reduces deposits, and enhances combustion efficiency. Suitable for a wide range of 2-stroke engines, including motorcycles, scooters, and off-road machines.

  • Motul 800 – A premium 2-stroke oil designed for high-performance engines requiring superior protection and cleanliness. It’s formulated for both premix and oil injection systems, delivering excellent anti-wear properties and reducing deposits. Ideal for serious riders and racers looking for top-tier lubrication and engine performance.

✍️ Important Notes on 2-Stroke Oil Use:

  • Premix systems: Some 2-stroke oils (like Motul 300) must be mixed directly with petrol before filling your fuel tank.

  • Oil injection systems: Oils like Motul 710 and 800 are specially formulated to be used in motorcycles with a separate oil tank that injects oil automatically. Not all 2-stroke oils are suitable for this system.

  • TPI engines: For motorcycles with Transfer Port Injection (TPI), it is critical to use Motul 710 or another oil designed specifically for oil injection. Using the wrong oil can cause poor lubrication, engine damage, and excessive smoke.

 

🔧 Motul by Motorcycle Type:

  • Adventure/Touring Bikes: Often need 7100 or 5100 for long-distance, stable performance.

  • Dirt Bikes/Enduro: May benefit from 300V Factory Line for heavy abuse.

  • Scooters or Small CC bikes: 3000 mineral oil is often sufficient.

  • Track/Race Bikes: 300V is the gold standard.

💧 What do Light, Medium, Medium/Heavy, and Heavy mean?

These terms often refer to the viscosity of fork and shock oils. Simply put, they describe how thick the oil is and how it behaves under pressure:

  • Light – thinner oil for faster damping (softer feel)

  • Medium – balanced performance

  • Medium/Heavy – slightly thicker, more control under hard use

  • Heavy – thick oil for firmer suspension, good for aggressive riding or heavier bikes

Choosing the right suspension oil depends on your bike, your riding style, and how you want the suspension to feel.

🧰 Engine Oil vs Gear Oil vs Fork Oil

Each fluid has a specific role:

  • Engine Oil – Lubricates your motor and protects internal parts

  • Gear Oil – For transmissions (especially separate gearbox units)

  • Fork Oil – Controls damping in your front suspension

  • Shock Fluid – Same as fork oil, but for your rear shock absorber

Using the wrong fluid in the wrong place can lead to serious damage or poor handling, so it’s always worth checking.

⚙️ Other Essential Motul Products:

  • Coolant – Motul Motocool Expert / Factory Line for engine cooling.

  • Brake Fluid – Motul DOT 4 or RBF 600+ for high-temp performance.

  • Chain Care – Chain Clean and Chain Lube (Off-Road or Road) for longer chain life.

🔄 When to Change Your Oil

  • For most riders: every 5,000–10,000 km.

  • Racing or hard riding: change more often.

  • Always replace the oil filter with every oil change for best results.

✅ Quick Tips for Choosing the Right Oil

👉 Check your owner’s manual for the recommended viscosity and type

👉 Consider your riding style: daily rider, weekend tourer, or track warrior?

👉 Try the Motul Oil Selector.

👉Ask us! We’ve worked on hundreds of bikes. Send us your rego, bike model, or just give us a call.

Looking after your bike starts with the right fluids. Whether you’re commuting, riding off-road, or heading to the track, we’ve got what you need to keep things running smooth.

🛒 Shop Motul Products Now
📍 In-store or online at JR Motorcycles

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Tags: Choosing motorcycle oil, Engine oil types, Factory line, Motorcycle care tips, Motorcycle maintenance, Motorcycle oil guide, Motul lubricants, Motul oils explained, Technosynthese, Viscosity grades