The reason why I always prefer synthetic engine oil is simply because it lasts much longer. The synthetic oils disintegrate in a much slower pace as compared to conventional engine oils and so the gap between one oil change to the other increase substantially. This is a blessing with my busy schedule and saves me from the hassle of visiting the workshop. Yes, it is more expensive that the regular oil but firstly my baby (read: bike) does not deserve anything 'regular', and good technology always comes at a price. I respect my bike and probably that's why it has never let me down.

Another important thing, I would recommend that oil changes should always be done according to the manufacturer's recommendation but it is often considered safe to extend the oil change interval by 50 percent if one uses synthetic oil.

I am primarily a long distance biker and would rather opt for riding to a destination than driving or flying. Being a Delhite, I have traversed across the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir umpteen times. Ofcourse, these states have the mighty Himalayas which means my rides include extreme weather conditions – burning heat of the plains to start with followed by cold riding sessions of the hills. This is the reason why I generally stick to using synthetic oil for my mode of transport.

Synthetic oils have a measurably better low and high temperature viscosity performance and hence I get optimum engine performance whether I ride in the heat of the plains for extended periods or ride in freezing temperatures of high altitudes. Further, as these oils provide better lubrication to the engine for cold starts, I don’t have to worry about morning rides in sub-zero temperatures – for example, my ride to the highest motorable road in Ladakh. Synthetic oils also have an extended drain interval (which benefits the environmental as there is less oil wastage) which means I don’t have to worry about oil changes during my cross-country rides. Last but not the least, the engine also feels a touch smoother while running on these types of oils.