Shell rotella syn-20-50
 

I never see anything here mentioning this oil.I have used it with no problems,but was thinking why I never see it's use mentioned here.
Comments,please.
Jim

Aren't all the Rotella oils formulated for diesels? If so, according to HD this is fine. I bet you get your hands on it for free. Try a search here, maybe others are using it.

I use Rotella T Triple Protection (dino - 15W40) in an R1 that calls for 10/30 or 10/40 oil. It runs great with that oil. Unfortunately Rotella doesn't make a dino 20/50 or I'd use it in my FatBoy. I've read others use Rotella dino in their Harley's during the cooler months with good results, in spite of the upper 40 weight. I haven't tried their synthetic (5W/40) because it ain't 20/50. I don't believe Shell/Rotella makes a 20/50 Synthetic.

Several months ago I did some reading on oils and additives (http://motorcycleinfo.calsci) -from the article.... "The additive packages for C (commercial) certification are designed to promote engine life. The additive packages for C rated oils contain extra buffers and detergents to keep the engine clean and free of acids. C rated oils are far better than S oils at holding and dispersing combustion byproducts and other contaminants, and at not becoming acidic. Traditionally these oils are primarily used in diesel motors, which are very expensive and are expected to last a million miles or more. When an engine rebuild costs $10,000 - $15,000 and puts you out of work for a week or three, you don't mind paying a bit more for your oil. The C certification tests have been largely developed by Mack, Caterpillar, Detroit and Cummins to provide the additives necessary to keep these engines running a long time. The latest commercial certification is CI-4 Plus, which includes extra protection for high temperature high revving motors. Since it's designed for diesel motors, they don't care about no stinkin' catalytic thingies, and CAFE is a place where you get a cup of joe and a donut. CI-4 Plus differs from CI-4 with higher detergent requirements and better sheer stability. The shear stability is exactly what motorcycles need due to running the engine oil through the transmission."

Rotella has a great additive package, and test results of used oil were very good...from what I've read. In fact I read one account were the Rotella 15W40 dino had higher viscosity than 20/50W HD dino after 1500 miles...based on lab tests...apparently the HD dino breaks down sooner. I would try Rotella Syn if it came in 20/50. The last and only time I tried synthetic (not Rotella), my bike was noisier and it didn't seem to run as well as it does on dino.

One fellow wrote he had been using Rotella dino in everything...Harley, Chevy pickup, lawn mower for over 20 years...all motors running fine and long without incident.

I would also like to hear from those that use Rotella dino or Synthetic in their Harley's. Anyone?

Any other good 20/50 dino oils for Harleys? I think I want to switch to something other than HD 20/50 for my Fat Boy

Regards

You are correct,it is not 20/50.My error,but I will continue to use it.
Thanks
Jim

I use rotella in my powerstroke

It's the only oil I'll put in my Cummins/Dodge.

From all I have read, Rotella is one of the best values in oil going. At any rate, I run the dino stuff in my Mercedes.

I ran HD dino for 9 years/74k miles. A nearby dealer was selling it for $1.99 a quart. I stopped using it when the local dealer started wanting over 6 bucks a quart. For the past couple of thousand miles, I have been using Valvoline 20w-50 motorcycle oil. Autozone has it for 4 bucks a quart.

Klotz 25w-60 here, my local indy who's been building bikes for 30+ years swears by it, I was using Mobil V-Twin but switched when I did my oil last month....will let ya know how it is.

http://klotzlube.com/products.asp?cat=7

Bone