Amsoil question

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 25, 2008 | 02:38 PM

#11

KBFXDLI

Big Kahuna HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 23,881

Likes: 34

From: USA

RE: Amsoil question

Quote:

ORIGINAL: big cahuna

Boy, what did we do back when all we did was, change oil and ride? At what point in time did we all obsess about what oil to use and how long before changes?.

At the point when the EPA started mandating emissions specs on air cooled motorcycle engines. If you study oil technology you will se the difference between automotive oil and motorcycle oils and it is only getting worse as time goes on. 20 years ago there were no prohibited additives in oil for automobiles and no fuel injected Harleys. Today's air cooled engine is probably the harshest place for a motor oil to run. How many water cooled engines run at 220-300F? ( dino oil starts cooking off it's additives at 250F) How many use oil jets to cool the pistons and are set extremely lean to meet emission standards and still have huge tolerances and higher compression ratings.Same reason you don't see air cooled VW bugs or Porsche 911's being sold here anymore. Today's Harley TC engine is not like the old ones. I wish it were.

Comparing you car engine to an air cooled motorcycle engine is ridiculous. If you don't believe me go get a 260F thermostat installed in your car and see how long it runs. BTW your automatic trans will melt at 250F.

Apr 26, 2008 | 12:52 AM

#12

big cahuna

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 4,923

Likes: 266

From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey

RE: Amsoil question

I don't own an automatic transmission so melting isn't a worry I have. and I'll stand by what I've said in the other post. this obsession with brand and manufacturers specs is more then anyone needs to know. use the right weight and go with it. the Harley motor is a glorified lawnmower motor whose final days are comming near.there are guys that run the factory oil and others use the cheapest 20/ 50 they can get, and run the motors for years with no problems. so their motors only last 30 years instead of 40 years. I haven't seen any proof useing $10 a qt oil helps your motor last any longer just alot of opinions.,,

Apr 26, 2008 | 10:53 PM

#13

Curt J

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 220

Likes: 3

From: Cape Cod

RE: Amsoil question

I'm with you Big K. I have never seen such fussing over friggin oil. Just change once in a while and run the **** out of it. You'd think these guys were running a jet engine. This engine is just a simple air-cooled 4 stroke. See that the new ones breathe better, get more petrol and run-em!!!

Apr 29, 2008 | 04:53 PM

#14

Old Gunny

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 1,984

Likes: 7

RE: Amsoil question

Hell I run Amsoil in my Wal-Mart Yard boy.

May 14, 2008 | 09:32 AM

#15

willieb76

6th Gear

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 13

Likes: 0

From:

RE: Amsoil question

I think the big C is right to a point, but all the same I think I'll look into getting the right stuff in the right hole. It gets pretty hot here in Fla.

May 19, 2008 | 07:44 PM

#16

Heath

Former Sponsor

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 303

Likes: 1

From: Mason City, Iowa

RE: Amsoil question

Back to the original question, the biggest difference is the absence of friction modifiers in the motorcycle oils, which allows them to be used in wet clutch applicaton. The ARO and other engine oils have them. The motorcycle oils are also designed for the harsher environment of a cycle engine..heat resistance and oxidative breakdown.
Heath