Engine Oil Question
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 861
Likes: 135
From: Wisconsin
You know the additives bullshit is just that...use a good 20w50 or 15w50 even not (OMG) v-twin..The engine is just that an engine and as long as it doesn't share the primare you can use Aotomotive type oil...I have been using napa 15w50 FOR 2 years now and the bike runs as go as when i used $12.00 Amsoil or Mobil 1 Vtwin...
Marketing is the force on the Vtwin branding... You gotta love it....If you run a metric that only uses 1 oil it may be critical but even there... My buddy has a 2004 Goldwiing with over 300000 miles on it and all he has ever used since new is regular Castrol oil...10w40 i think....still going strong....You can drink the koolaid or not... it's up to you.
Marketing is the force on the Vtwin branding... You gotta love it....If you run a metric that only uses 1 oil it may be critical but even there... My buddy has a 2004 Goldwiing with over 300000 miles on it and all he has ever used since new is regular Castrol oil...10w40 i think....still going strong....You can drink the koolaid or not... it's up to you.
Exactly !!! It's just a air cooled push rod motor. made of pretty much the same components as all the rest. nothing special about a Harley motor. Put any oil you like. Do really think HD oil is a special formula, different from all others ?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Boy this surely will blow the panties off the synthetic believers! Uhoh its Sunday watch all the thumpers come out now lmao
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,975
Likes: 5,214
From: Michigan
Obviously we all have our personal beliefs and preferences when it comes to lubricants!
Years ago, back whe but the n H-D was adamant about not using and synthetic oil, I was running either H-D 60 wt OR Valvoline (dino) 60 wt Racing oil in my Shovelheads.
The difference these days as I see it, is starting with the T/C 96 engine, and now the T/C 103 and T/C 110's is that they run so much hotter that the Shovelheads, EVO's and T/C 88's ran that using synthetic oils in these newer engines does make a difference.
I doubt the name on the outside of the bottle makes much difference, but I do believe the contents do.
I'll use any brand of synthetic oil as long as it contains the additive for V-Twin engines and it's either 20w-50w, or 20w-60w, and ANY brand of oil needs to be changed regularly.
Years ago, back whe but the n H-D was adamant about not using and synthetic oil, I was running either H-D 60 wt OR Valvoline (dino) 60 wt Racing oil in my Shovelheads.
The difference these days as I see it, is starting with the T/C 96 engine, and now the T/C 103 and T/C 110's is that they run so much hotter that the Shovelheads, EVO's and T/C 88's ran that using synthetic oils in these newer engines does make a difference.
I doubt the name on the outside of the bottle makes much difference, but I do believe the contents do.
I'll use any brand of synthetic oil as long as it contains the additive for V-Twin engines and it's either 20w-50w, or 20w-60w, and ANY brand of oil needs to be changed regularly.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
Comparison from a watercooled 6 to an air cooled vtwin? Really? Keep your pants on slick.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Jackson Louisiana
My 2009 Ultra has had nothing but auto grade 20-50 RP since it was broke in. I just got back from a 3000 mile trip to DC and didn't burn a drop. I have 48,000 miles on the bike and it runs better every time I get on it. Louisiana is also a HOT and humid place to ride in the summer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
and specifically what additive does a vtwin engine need that is so special? really, if you compare a v-twin labeled oil with a non vtwin oil, what you will find is that the vtwin oil actually has less additives (friction modifiers) in it to not slip the clutch. otherwise, almost identical. and those friction modifiers are actually good for the engine, just not so much for the wet clutch.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
and specifically what additive does a vtwin engine need that is so special? really, if you compare a v-twin labeled oil with a non vtwin oil, what you will find is that the vtwin oil actually has less additives (friction modifiers) in it to not slip the clutch. otherwise, almost identical. and those friction modifiers are actually good for the engine, just not so much for the wet clutch.
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