Oil Archive (no new posts) An archive of oil related questions and comments.

Quicksilver 20w50

 
Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 07:13 PM
  #11  
jpowell490's Avatar
jpowell490
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 819
Likes: 21
From: Johnson City, TN
Default

No need for synthetic oil? Did you honestly just say that?

It is a proven fact that synthetic oil runs cooler than dino oil. Your HD engine is air cooled, hence the need for synthetic.

Do you have to run synthetic? No, of course not. If you live in Alaska, no need. I would think someone that lives where you do would see the benefits of synthetic.

Valvoline VR1, I was using that when it first came out, in a 10 second Camaro. I think it is fantastic oil, they also make a synthetic version. Used it again in my 7 second Nova. So yes, it is a great oil.

Comparing Valvoline to Wal-Mart oil though, not even in the same ballpark. I used to hear people say that Wal-Mart oil was Valvoline re-branded. Could have been, but I won't take that chance.
 
Old Aug 4, 2014 | 07:55 PM
  #12  
qtrracer's Avatar
qtrracer
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Default

Originally Posted by jpowell490
No need for synthetic oil? Did you honestly just say that?

It is a proven fact that synthetic oil runs cooler than dino oil. Your HD engine is air cooled, hence the need for synthetic.

Do you have to run synthetic? No, of course not. If you live in Alaska, no need. I would think someone that lives where you do would see the benefits of synthetic.

Valvoline VR1, I was using that when it first came out, in a 10 second Camaro. I think it is fantastic oil, they also make a synthetic version. Used it again in my 7 second Nova. So yes, it is a great oil.

Comparing Valvoline to Wal-Mart oil though, not even in the same ballpark. I used to hear people say that Wal-Mart oil was Valvoline re-branded. Could have been, but I won't take that chance.
Synthetic oil runs the same temp. Show me the "scientific" proof. No amsoil advertising either. No benefit to synthetic in a HD, unless you have repowered with a turbine.
 
Old Aug 6, 2014 | 01:27 PM
  #13  
jpowell490's Avatar
jpowell490
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 819
Likes: 21
From: Johnson City, TN
Default

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=2755273

Check out that thread and really that whole board.

Who said anything about Amsoil advertising? I don't like all that either, but the fact remains, people have done numerous oil samples of Amsoil and it performs better than anything I have seen.

If you have it dead set in your mind that you don't believe that synthetic runs any cooler, then there is nothing anyone can do to change that.

However, if you are an open minded, educated individual, then get you a digital thermometer dipstick. Run up the road 30-45 minutes on a hot day and see what it reads. Then, come back and change your oil to Mobil1 Vtwin or Amsoil 20w50 MCF and see what it reads. I guarantee you it will be at least 20 degrees cooler.
 
Old Aug 6, 2014 | 02:50 PM
  #14  
qtrracer's Avatar
qtrracer
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Default

Originally Posted by jpowell490
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=2755273

Check out that thread and really that whole board.

Who said anything about Amsoil advertising? I don't like all that either, but the fact remains, people have done numerous oil samples of Amsoil and it performs better than anything I have seen.

If you have it dead set in your mind that you don't believe that synthetic runs any cooler, then there is nothing anyone can do to change that.

However, if you are an open minded, educated individual, then get you a digital thermometer dipstick. Run up the road 30-45 minutes on a hot day and see what it reads. Then, come back and change your oil to Mobil1 Vtwin or Amsoil 20w50 MCF and see what it reads. I guarantee you it will be at least 20 degrees cooler.
Will an infared thermometer suffice as the temp reader? I verified my oil temp gauge with it to make sure it was giving me accurate temps. I will try it on my next oil change. That way you will only be out the cost of the syn oil and 1 filter(about $50 but I'll have the exact number for you) when I get back to you with the results.
 
Old Aug 6, 2014 | 03:31 PM
  #15  
Melman's Avatar
Melman
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 4
From: Bradenton,Florida
Default

I normally don't like to get caught up in "disputes" between 2 members but I would like to add an un-biased, don't care what kind of oil you run opinion. In a "air cooled" engine like my '05 Ultra the synthetic oil would run 20-30 degrees cooler. I installed an oil temp gage (where the stock, fairing mounted air temp gage sat) and noticed this on a long trip after switching to synthetic. I never believed the hype before that but I now run only synthetic.
 
Old Aug 6, 2014 | 04:23 PM
  #16  
jpowell490's Avatar
jpowell490
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 819
Likes: 21
From: Johnson City, TN
Default

Yea I think your infrared will be good, but only if it is taken at the same amount of time.

So, motor has been on and moving for 30 min or whatever, weather (temp) should be relatively the same, etc. However, at any rate, it will be cooler.

Also, what type of synthetic do you plan on using? Some say synthetic, but they are not. HD syn3 is not full synthetic.
 
Old Aug 6, 2014 | 04:23 PM
  #17  
jpowell490's Avatar
jpowell490
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 819
Likes: 21
From: Johnson City, TN
Default

Yea I think your infrared will be good, but only if it is taken at the same amount of time.

So, motor has been on and moving for 30 min or whatever, weather (temp) should be relatively the same, etc. However, at any rate, it will be cooler.

Also, what type of synthetic do you plan on using? Some say synthetic, but they are not. HD syn3 is not full synthetic.
 
Old Aug 6, 2014 | 04:43 PM
  #18  
qtrracer's Avatar
qtrracer
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Default

Mobil 1, Redline or Amsoil. Just depends on availability. The IR I keep in my saddlebags. I pretty much know what my stabilized temp is. I shoot the side of the pan near the sensor for my oil temp gauge. But I will take it again before changing the oil to make sure nothing has changed and for repeatability.
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 6, 2014 | 05:28 PM
  #19  
jpowell490's Avatar
jpowell490
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 819
Likes: 21
From: Johnson City, TN
Default

Sounds good, any of those should do just fine. Also, if you like Valvoline VR1, they have that in synthetic too.

I am using Lucas full synthetic motorcycle and it was great when I put it in. Still seems good, but it might go back to Amsoil or Mobil1 because of the lack of testing on the Lucas.

I haven't seen any OA's on it yet.

At any rate, I am impressed by your willingness to try it out. Give it a fair go a and then maybe we can have a beer sometime
 
Old Sep 26, 2014 | 04:49 PM
  #20  
AlphaBiker's Avatar
AlphaBiker
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Southern New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by jpowell490
qtrracer,

I have seen you make a few comments about "oil is oil". I will never understand why someone spends the amount of money that a Harley costs, only to dump garbage in the engine.

If you have to buy Wal-Mart oil, or any other oil that you pick up at the local Big Lots, then you don't need a Harley.

Chances are, if you have never heard of the oil, there is probably a reason.
So that means from this point on any oil you never heard of is bad? So nothing new can possibly be any good? I used Quicksilver exclusively in my Mercruiser engines for years and they make great oil. Boat engines work extremely hard pushing water aside. Harleys have a lot less resistance mostly rolling on hard surfaces. You pay a premium for Harley oil because it has Harley stamped on the label not because it's better. Just like you can get the exact same battery and exact sames tires Harley sells from the company that make them for a lot less. I have no doubt that Quicksilver MC oil is just as good as any of the other popular MC oils out there.
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:29 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE