If roads are good in your area, you can extend the duration to 15,000 miles which will still be considered good for the machine. Rule of the thumb is that if you consider changing fork oil every 10,000 miles, then it’s an excellent decision. When to change the fork oil in the motorcycle How soon or late should be evident to the rider who may begin to feel the roughness of the front suspension when the motorcycle is ridden. Since the fork movements are dynamic when the motorcycle is on the move, obviously there’s degradation over a period of time.Īnd as road conditions vary, the duration related to the efficiency of the fork oil will also get impacted. When the fork oil is new, it plays its role perfectly. It is vital for the fork oil to consistently control or check the energy generated by springs and absorb the unwanted heat. The fork oil works directly with the valves to provide consistent damping capabilities to the fork. The fork oil ensures top ride quality by absorbing shocks, and road imperfections before they reach the handlebar and in a way also contributes to the stability of the motorcycle. The fork oil is necessary for all motorcycles irrespective of what they have been designed to do - be it on-road commuters, sports bikes, off-road, adventure, trails, or motocross. Unlike engine oils that tend to foam when heated, fork oils are designed to remain cool and eliminate foaming and air entrainment properties. The most important component of the oil is the viscosity stabilizer that provides long-lasting and consistent performance and response, even as the suspension heats up during motorcycle use. Importance of fork oil in a motorcycleįront fork oil in a motorcycle acts as a dampener to the vibrations coming from the front wheel and provides a smooth riding experience to the motorcycle rider.įork oils are different in composition from engine or brake oils and use chemicals with anti-friction properties. Several friction modifiers are used to modify lubrication qualities as well.Īnd hence, fork oil should be exclusively used in motorcycle forks. Sure, fork oil acts as a lubricant, but the main purpose of fork oil is to absorb the shock.Īs for how they do it and what is their importance, let’s discuss this in the next section. Fork oil, on the other hand, is used as a shock absorber. The fork oil is the oil that goes in the front forks of a motorcycle and acts as the shock absorber.Įngine oil is mainly used for lubricating and cooling down the engine components. Is there a difference between fork oil and shock oil?.Fork oil for advanced suspension systems.How much oil to fill in a motorcycle fork?.

Check for viscosity at 40 degree Celsius.When to change the fork oil in the motorcycle.

Honda fork oil viscosity chart