My indie suggested I run Mobil 1 15-50 rather than buck up for the V-Twin 20-50. Bike is near new and I don't want to cause problems over a couple $.
Thoughts?

 

A zillion posts on this. It's fine. Run the 15W-50 and save yourself the cash. Works just fine.

Now run before the oil snobs come around...

 

You don`t need motorcycle specific oil because the motor and clutch use separate oils. Using the 15w-50 is fine.

 

Another vote for the 15w50 here.

 

Been using 15-50 for about 5 years or more. It's fine.
Not recommended for primary.

 

Yep, I should have mentioned that. I use 15w50 in crankcase only. Mobil-1 20w50 in the primary.

 

Why waste high $$ synthetic in the primary? Any cheap diesel/20w50 will work fine there..

 

15-50 works fine in the primary. Been running it for years. Prob overkill

 

What we see above is the usual response to an oil query! I'm quite happy using Mobil V 20-50 and don't see the small difference in price to be worth worrying about.

 

Cycle oils tend to differ from automobile oils in the anti-wear additives. API SM oils tend to be very low in sulphated ash, phosphorus and zinc (aka low SAPS).. Racing oils, motorcycle oils and aviation oils tend to be higher SAPS content, specifically ZDDP, which many associate with less wear.

Acceptable alternates are ACEA rated oils with an ACEA A1 or A3 approval.