New Sportster - Oil Recommendations
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 522
Likes: 2
From: pennsylvania
Since you've made up you mind on Mobil-1, I recommend the following. I've been using this for 98,000 miles on the Sporty:
Motor - Mobil-1 15w-50 (automotive) synthetic. You can often find it in Walmart in a 5 qt jug for ~$27.00. You do not need V-Twin labeled oil.
Primary/Tranny - Mobil-1 75-90 Gear Oil
Change intervals:
Motor - every 5,000 miles or once every year - whichever COMES FIRST.
Primary/Tranny - every 10,000 miles.
Motor - Mobil-1 15w-50 (automotive) synthetic. You can often find it in Walmart in a 5 qt jug for ~$27.00. You do not need V-Twin labeled oil.
Primary/Tranny - Mobil-1 75-90 Gear Oil
Change intervals:
Motor - every 5,000 miles or once every year - whichever COMES FIRST.
Primary/Tranny - every 10,000 miles.
Hello there, cHarley has it right (again) ive been using the mobil 1 for the past 5 years and its working fine im quite satisfied with its performance.
I use Hd primary fluid for the "transmission" and chrome filters (7 and 10 dollars) from the local HD shop. easy cheap maintenance for your bike too keep it running well.
good luck, ride safe and often
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, MI
Just because the dealer or manufacturer recommend something doesnt mean you have to use it? After all, they are trying to make a sale I'm sure. I love Mobile 1 and have been using it, so I trust it. That's it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
I seem to be the, "odd man out" here on the oil issue. I run Rev-Tec 25w60 dino oil. In 11,000 miles it has not caused any issues. I know that's not in league with cHarley's 98,000 miles but I'm getting there.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Always wondered how many (intelligent??) people would still buy the "Holy" Harley oil, if the bottle had the real Citgo label on it instead of the HD label that Harley pays Citgo to put on the $3.00 bottle of Citgo oil that Harley sells for $$$$?
You have to give Harley credit though, they're experts at separating dumb people from their hard earned money.
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You have to give Harley credit though, they're experts at separating dumb people from their hard earned money.
.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 17
From: victoria bc
Since you've made up you mind on Mobil-1, I recommend the following. I've been using this for 98,000 miles on the Sporty:
Motor - Mobil-1 15w-50 (automotive) synthetic. You can often find it in Walmart in a 5 qt jug for ~$27.00. You do not need V-Twin labeled oil.
Primary/Tranny - Mobil-1 75-90 Gear Oil
Change intervals:
Motor - every 5,000 miles or once every year - whichever COMES FIRST.
Primary/Tranny - every 10,000 miles.
Motor - Mobil-1 15w-50 (automotive) synthetic. You can often find it in Walmart in a 5 qt jug for ~$27.00. You do not need V-Twin labeled oil.
Primary/Tranny - Mobil-1 75-90 Gear Oil
Change intervals:
Motor - every 5,000 miles or once every year - whichever COMES FIRST.
Primary/Tranny - every 10,000 miles.
wow, do we ever get ripped off here in Canada. That jug of Mobil-1 that you pay $27 in the US for is over $60 where I live.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 67
From: Saint Amant, Acadiana
One of those crazy oil threads again?
Use synthetic, there is rather narrow temperature range in which any given oil performs best, this narrow range is widest with synthetic. Since your air-cooled engine temerature will vary you want an oil that has best temperature range.
Use oil made for air-cooled engines, no liquid cooled engine has head temperatures comparable to air cooled engines.
Do not use Harley oil, HD is not an oil company, they buy cheapest oil that will keep your engine running, rebrand it and charge $$$.
All claims made "I'm using XXX oil and my bike runs great" are worthless. You can not measure the wear and tear in any objective manner. You got to do your research and find out which oil is rated best for your application, this oil will give you best mileage with minimum wear.
Use synthetic, there is rather narrow temperature range in which any given oil performs best, this narrow range is widest with synthetic. Since your air-cooled engine temerature will vary you want an oil that has best temperature range.
Use oil made for air-cooled engines, no liquid cooled engine has head temperatures comparable to air cooled engines.
Do not use Harley oil, HD is not an oil company, they buy cheapest oil that will keep your engine running, rebrand it and charge $$$.
All claims made "I'm using XXX oil and my bike runs great" are worthless. You can not measure the wear and tear in any objective manner. You got to do your research and find out which oil is rated best for your application, this oil will give you best mileage with minimum wear.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
2nd time in this thread "air cooled" engine oil was mentioned. Anyone have a link to these oils? Ive never heard of them.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 784
Likes: 56
From: Eastern Iowa
air-cooled oils have more zinc and other additives.
MC oils run at a higher temp than auto oils.
Wealth of info on their web site.
Just surf it.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, MI
Ok so the only oil I can find in the 5quart jug is the 15w-50
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-15...Quart/20713647
Else I get a 6 pack of 20w-50. There should be really no major differences going with either a 20w or 15w right? I prefer the jug probably because its cheaper. $24 compared to like $66
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-15...Quart/20713647
Else I get a 6 pack of 20w-50. There should be really no major differences going with either a 20w or 15w right? I prefer the jug probably because its cheaper. $24 compared to like $66