Hey - All new to the forum, i just bought a 2003 883R anniversary edition with 17K on it - i wanted to know what is the best oil to put on a bike this age and millage.

Appreciate the help - its also has a 1200 conversion kit in it - if needed the info.

 

Most here like and use Mobil 1 Vtwin 20w-50w,,
easy to find,,,,Wally world,,Advanced auto parts to name a few
MAKE shure Its says V-Twin on the bottles !!
Get yerself the HD service book,,,trust me on this..

 

That is what I use,, but technically V-twin is a misnomer, it is designed for air cooled bikes whether they are V-twins or not, and the Mobil 1 4T racing is designed for liquid cooled bikes. So the V-twin would be good for an air cooled inline 4, and 4T would be good for a V-Rod.

 

Actually, most here tend to use the Mobil 1 15W50 that you can typically get from Wally world in a five quart jug for around $20-25, (when they have the big jug), and the HD oil filter. If Wally world doesn't have the big jug, just buy the quarts of 15W50. And use the Mobil 1 Gear oil in the primary.

 

I have always found it kinda funny that so many people can afford a Harley but want to save $12 on and oil change and put car oil in there bike instead of 20-50 VTwin Mobile ONE. The 15-50 will probably do the job but 20-50 Vtwin has a lot more additives to make certain it does the job.

 

Thanks for the help much appreciated - i have had bike for a number of years - glad to say its my first harley -- so i have a large learning curve.

 

i use the stuff from the harley dealer, only because it makes my top end a LOT quieter, cams really make it sound like a sewing machine

 

Actually the real problem with using auto oil, is some auto oil has too many additives, and/or the wrong type to be used with a wet clutch. So auto oil in a Harley engine shouldn't be an issue, but in the trans/clutch (specifically those oils that say "energy conserving" in the API circle on the back) of a Sportster may cause clutch slippage. Most motorcycle oils are designed to work in bikes that share engine and clutch oil.