Blog: The Importance of Oils

You've heard it 100 times from us "Use the one oil and don't even think about another!"... But here's why

Linc Biggins

Even though two stroke scooters and motorcycles are on the “way out” – they are still, for the time being at least, in the 50cc market the engine type of choice for the majority of scooter manufacturers. This is with good reason;

• they produce good power to weight ratio for their capacity
• they are inherently simple in design; and subsequently
• economical and easy to fix

Due to their sometimes quirky and temperamental personalities (and yes anyone who has owned one will know what I mean by this) two strokes (2T) are up against stiff opposition with the modern four stroke (4T) design which has come along in leaps and bounds in the last 5-10 years.

The biggest concern with 2Ts and where a lot of their “multiple personalties” are derived from is due to the quality of the oil which is used. 2T engines use their oils differently from a 4T in that the oil is mixed with the fuel and is burnt as part of the combustion process. This is called a “total loss system” due to the fact once it is burnt it is gone. Alternatively 4Ts circulate the same oil throughout the engine continuously which is then (or should be) routinely changed.

“Why the then do we need a good quality oil if it just gets burnt?”

Like the oil in your car, motorcycle or any 4T engine, the 2T oil is used as a lubricant as it passes through the major engine components on its way to the cylinder and piston before being burnt and discharged, commonly known as the “Blue Smoke” seen blowing out your exhaust... Read the rest at Linc's Blog!

published 25/03/2010