Riding a motorcycle is a fantastic way to really get to know your surroundings. Whether that’s admiring the lush Ponderosa pines and herds of mule deer on your way to the Grand Canyon or trying not to get squished between a wayward Toyota Prius and a Ford F-150 Raptor on the steaming-hot 405 freeway in Los Angeles, you’re exposed in the best, and worst, way possible to nature.

Before you get out there, it helps to know your motorcycle pretty well, as your life is in its hands. The best way to become familiar with your two-wheeler — besides by riding and enjoying the hell out of it — is by performing your own maintenance, and that includes changing the case oil.

Doing it yourself is also an easy way to keep a few bucks in the bank for more important things, like more motorcycles! The Drive crew is always down to save money while becoming more familiar with our rides and how they work, so of course, we get after our own oil changes.

Before you shove your head in a helmet and set out for the wide, open spaces, let’s get to the simple art of how to change the oil on a motorcycle.

We’re talking about the engine or case oil, which lubricates the moving parts inside your engine and decreases friction while also helping to cool your engine and keep those internals from getting rusty. The oil can also wash debris from your engine parts down to the bottom of the case where it can be flushed from the system when you change your oil, i.e. metal shavings or particulates that shed during normal operation or during part failure.

Over time and with use, your engine’s oil loses its viscosity, especially under heavy use. It also gets dirty, picking up the particulate matter as the engine cycles. That’s why we change the oil and put in fresh blood.

Every manufacturer and classic motorcycle enthusiast has their own idea of how often you need to change your motorcycle oil. My favorite online Norton owners club says that the oil in my 1964 Atlas should be changed every 1,500 miles — with mineral oil, not synthetic. And as for my 1978 Vespa Rally 200-cc two-stroke scooter, I change the case oil before I go on any ride that’s more than 500 miles over a couple of days. That means I change it about three times a year. 

For my 2013 Ducati 848 — less than 10 years old is a brand-new bike, as far as I’m concerned — Ducati advises changing the oil every 7,500 miles, although riders I’ve spoken with believe it’s better to clear out the old stuff every 2,500 miles or so. What I’m trying to say is, the interval of changing your motorcycle’s engine or case oil will vary depending on make, model, and year it was produced. You can consult your bike’s manual, check with the manufacturer’s part’s department, or talk to your club friends to determine the best schedule.

A motorcycle is a heavy piece of machinery, and changing the oil on yours should be treated as a serious endeavor. Save the beer and other distractions until after this task is finished.

Before you get down on the ground next to your bike:

A lot of these items are those you’ll use for a whole bunch of motorcycle maintenance, so they’re definitely worth the investment. Check out this list before beginning your oil change.

The great chore master Mary Poppins once said that a job well begun is half done. OK, I’m pretty sure the Greek philosopher Aristotle said it first, Ms. Poppins. Still, although neither of them ever had the chance to lift a leg over the saddle of a Yamaha YZF-R3, they’re both right: Proper preparation is the best way to begin the job of changing the oil on your motorcycle.

You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor or a driveway. This spot will need to be safe from pedestrian and automotive traffic since you’ll likely be sitting or even lying on the ground — unless you have a motorcycle lift.

Changing your motorcycle’s oil will look a little different for each bike. Since motorcycles are cool, we chose a video starring the always cool Ari Henning from MC Garage to show you how it’s done.

You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers.

A: Motorcycle engines work harder than the one in your Nissan Rogue, so the oil needs to be changed more frequently. As you get to know your bike, you’ll notice by the color, smell, and cleanliness of the oil when you change it whether it’s too soon or if you should’ve changed it earlier. The motorcycle manufacturer of your particular bike usually knows best, however, so consult your owner’s manual — or hit the internet and find a classic bike forum for every opinion under the sun.

A: Most auto-parts stores will take your used oil and filters. The American Petroleum Institute recommends the website Earth 911 to find oil recycling in your area. It can also tell you where to bring dead batteries and other recyclables cluttering up your garage.

A: Opinions vary on which is best for your motorcycle, but the synthetic oils available today are hard to beat for performance. Petroleum-based oils, however, win out in the cost category. If you do use mineral oil, the general consensus is that you’ll need to change your oil more often. Refer to your owner’s manual for suggestions here.

We’re here to be expert guides in everything How To related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below, and let’s talk. You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, here are our profiles.

Jonathon Klein: Twitter (@jonathon.klein), Instagram (@jonathon_klein)

Tony Markovich: Twitter (@T_Marko), Instagram (@t_marko)

Chris Teague: Twitter (@TeagueDrives), Instagram (@TeagueDrives)

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