This past weekend, a guy said he just puts oil in his bike and didn't seem to ever pay attention to whether it was motorcycle specific oil. He rides a Sportster.
Another guy this past weekend was very low on oil, so he picked up some Royal Purple 20w50 at the Auto shop... but it was automotive oil and put it in his bike. He said his bike has never pulled so hard as it did then.

So, I'm looking around here, and as far as I can tell, correct me if I'm wrong, automotive oil 20w50 in the engine is just fine. But, you would not want to use the automotive oil in your transmission or primary, as far I can tell.

The thing is, the Royal Purple 20w50 Automotive oil is about $9 a quart.
The Royal Purple 20w50 Motorcycle oils is about $15.00 a quart.


So... see what I'm getting at here? Someone that knows more about this, fill us in. I see potential in money savings as long as we put it in the engine only.
Even Mobile1 seems to confirm this, unless I'm understanding it incorrectly.
http://www.mobiloil.com/usa-english/...cycle_Oil.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_oil

 

Most Motorcycle oil don't have friction modifier and it is clutch safe, I heard automotive oil breaks down a lot faster than motorcycle, correct if I am wrong. I can get 1 quart of Amsoil for $12, not taking a chance.

 

I don't know about using car oil but 20w-50 for diesel engine wil work. I 've never tried it but I have met people that siad they use it all the time. My harley service manual says if you need to add oil (dino oil) and you can't get Harley oil you can use it.

 

Ive heard of putting diesel engine oil in a bike in a pinch but not automobile oil. It has better lubrication and wont break down from the extra heat. Cars run around 200-220 where bikes can run around 300-325.

 

I use type F ATF in my primary. It works great. No clutch issues at all.

 

You can use auto oil but it's best to have motorcycle oil and gear oil in the transmission.
I'm runnin Mobil1 V Twin 20w50, Spectro Platinum 75w140 in the trans. and B&M Trick Shift in the primary.

 

Does synthetic Automotive oil break down any faster than Motorcycle Synthetic?

We need some real oil experts in here. This is the question of 2012! I'm thinking about the $15-$20 per oil change I'm saving... possibly $60 a year.

 

60 bucks a year isn't worth the risk IMO...

 

loud and clear!

To the OP become an amsoil preffered customer, order your oil and filters from them and it is on your doorstep the next buisness day. You will save $ and you know your getting an oil you can use in all three!

 

This isn't the great "question of 2012", it's a subject that has been beaten to death forever. There is zero risk at all. I've run "car oil" in every bike I've ever owned and never had a single issue. Track bikes, sport bikes, dirt bikes all ridden harder than my HD ever will be. The oil will never be in the engine long enough to be broken down enough to be a risk and modern oil will last many more miles than the traditional 3K change cycle most people adhere to.