I noticed in the 883 manual it states that below 40 degrees you should switch to 10W-40, well up here in Northern Virginia the winters can get down into the teens. My bike would sit outside for my 12 shift at work so I figured it would be better to switch from 20W-50. Would the Mobil 1 4T sport bike oil be okay? What brand do you suggest, or will someone give experience of running 20W50 all year round? Harley is very secretive about other oils besides its own, like they want you to think Mobil 1 will ruin your engine, minus the approval of diesel oil. Thanks so much for the advice and help!

 

Mobil 4T will work just fine.

Ken

 

You realize it's not even JUNE yet?
Run any quality 10W-40 that is rated for motorcycles you can get on sale.

 

I miss the simplicity of plain old straight 50wt , took all the over thinking out of it............

 

When I get the 883 it will be on the verge of winter, so just being premeptive. Navy always taught me to solve the problem before it could ever be one. They sell Mobil 1 4T here for cheap so I will go with that. Thanks for the advice!

 

It will be fine on 15W-50 Mobil 1 year round. I am down here and our winter is pretty much the same except I get less snow. My bike has 50K and until I retired, I rode year round to work on the back shift getting off at 12AM. Many a night, I left below 32. I did give the bike about 3-4 minutes warm up and a mile before hitting the interstate. Taking it easy up thru the gears.
Be real careful for black ice in the evening..
Bike was an option and I did not leave normally for work if raining or below 40.

 

I really hate to ask, because I know how bogged down oil comparisons can become, but is regular Mobil 1 car oil still okay for the bike? I thought it had additives that were bad for bikes, or is that not an issue since Harley's separate the trans?

 

It's fine in the crank case. Just don't use it in any of the other holes. I use that oil in Both my 03 FatBoy and 09 Road King and it's great, and inexpensive as heck.

 

If it has never caused issues for anyone then I will definitely do that. It's super easy to find, cheap, and I can run it into the 100 degree summers and 20 degree Winters in northern VA

 

I only use it in the engine. I use Harley's Formula + nondetergent gear oil since there is no filter on the primary and transmission.
I personally do not think Mobile has stuff that is bad. What it lacks is certain additives that are no longer allowed in typical car oil.

Maybe why my motor still runs like new is I never WOT. I can't remember ever turning it to 4K. I think by doing this is one of the reasons I have never laid a bike down is the reason I do that.

In your 883, what does the engine share the oil with?