Motorcycle oil on sale!

[Tony/CT]

Just returned from Auto Zone where they are having a sale on V-twin motorcycle oil. Two dollars off per quart, so I paid $9.00 per quart of 20/50 oil.

[LowRyter]

so long as we have an oil thread let me ask about V Twin oil.  I think of it for Harleys and other bikes that don't rev over 5k rpms.  I never used it because I am always revving my Guzzi, and who knows how many more rpms a Ducati will run.

Now the similarity between a Harley and Guzzi is the separate transmission, like a Beemer.  So does V twin oil work for a flat twin?  What about a Bonneville?

VTwin oil?  yea or nay?

[jcctx]

And; why is "motorcycle " oil worth more than automotive oil???????

[Chuck in Indiana]

 :pop

[Perazzimx14]

so long as we have an oil thread let me ask about V Twin oil.  I think of it for Harleys and other bikes that don't rev over 5k rpms.  I never used it because I am always revving my Guzzi, and who knows how many more rpms a Ducati will run.

Now the similarity between a Harley and Guzzi is the separate transmission, like a Beemer.  So does V twin oil work for a flat twin?  What about a Bonneville?

VTwin oil?  yea or nay?

But is not an oil thread. Its simple a person letting users of V-twin synthetic motorcycle oil know that it is onsale. Nothing more nothing less.

[jlburgess]

The Castrol 20/50 full synth works fine in any bike.  It says for V twin Harley, but it's also rated for wet clutches and transmissions shown on the back.  I run in in my Aprillia no problems.  More oil info please!  :beat_horse

[kirkemon]

So does V twin oil work for a flat twin?  What about a Bonneville?
VTwin oil?  yea or nay?

Don't know about Bonnies, but I've been using V-twin synthetic in my W650 for 10 years. I ride it daily, and on longer runs on the weekend. I haven't had ant problem in 100 degree heat.
Thanks for the tip that it's on sale!

[Tony/CT]

No....this is not an oil thread. I am not starting an oil thread  :beat_horse. Just stating that Mobil 1 20/50 synthetic is on sale here in CT. for $9.00.

[LowRyter]

just don't use oil for triples. 

[Perazzimx14]

just don't use oil for triples. 

I think you missed a word or two ;-T

[kevdog3019]

Just returned from Auto Zone where they are having a sale on V-twin motorcycle oil. Two dollars off per quart, so I paid $9.00 per quart of 20/50 oil.

More specifics please. Many V-twin oils out there. What brand?  All brands?  Their brand? Mobile One brand? Valvoline brand?  Hmmm <scratching head>

[Kev m]

I BELIEVE M1 V-Twin (20/50) is the only motorcycle specific oil Zone usually carries in their stores that carries the name "V-Twin". And actually, until recently when Amsoil started branding some of their oils, including their newer 20-40 for Indians and Victorys, was the only major oil in the market to wear the term V-Twin as the primary identifier.

Kinda like M1 Racing 4T is the primary identifier on the bottles of their motorcycle specific 10-40.

[Tony/CT]

Yes..it is indeed Mobil 1 as stated in my second post.

[Kev m]

:) and I even read that post earlier.... And forgot about it. But that was my first impression even before that lol.

[ohiorider]

Don't know about Bonnies, but I've been using V-twin synthetic in my W650 for 10 years. I ride it daily, and on longer runs on the weekend. I haven't had ant problem in 100 degree heat.
Thanks for the tip that it's on sale!

Purchased 2003 Bonnie T100 used with 4200 miles
1st oil change at 4322 miles
12 oil changes total
Mobil1 V Twin/Bosch 3300 filter used every change
Last change at 49825 miles
Bike sold, don't know what present owner uses, but last I heard, Bonnie was at 60,000 miles and going strong.  Original clutch.

[Rough Edge racing]

  Things to think about....Motorcycle oil (Jasco rated)  is for motorcycles. Diesel rated oils are for Diesels.... Is a Guzzi a 3000 rpm Diesel engine or a hi speed motorcycle engine?

[oldbike54]

  Things to think about....Motorcycle oil (Jasco rated)  is for motorcycles. Diesel rated oils are for Diesels.... Is a Guzzi a 3000 rpm Diesel engine or a hi speed motorcycle engine?

 According to one of our members and a dealer he knows ,a Guzzi motor is the former  ~;

  Dusty

[Kev m]

Dusty - remind me - WASN'T Mobil 1 V-Twin the OEM recommended oil for Triumph at one point???

  Things to think about....Motorcycle oil (Jasco rated)  is for motorcycles. Diesel rated oils are for Diesels.... Is a Guzzi a 3000 rpm Diesel engine or a hi speed motorcycle engine?

Oil ratings aren't necessarily about engine rpm, they're just as (more?) often about additive packages.

Harley (and possibly other) motorcycle manufacturers recommend MC specific oil, but in the absence of such say to use Diesel oil in a pinch.

As of late-model specifications the Diesel oils typically have higher levels of ZDDP than the auto oils that have eliminated it for Cat-Con durability.

[Rough Edge racing]

Dusty - remind me - WASN'T Mobil 1 V-Twin the OEM recommended oil for Triumph at one point???


Oil ratings aren't necessarily about engine rpm, they're just as (more?) often about additive packages.

Harley (and possibly other) motorcycle manufacturers recommend MC specific oil, but in the absence of such say to use Diesel oil in a pinch.

As of late-model specifications the Diesel oils typically have higher levels of ZDDP than the auto oils that have eliminated it for Cat-Con durability.

 Many of the popular brand name Diesel oils have lowered ZDDP levels. Check on the oil manufacturers websites for info...And the ZDDP package in diesel oils is not the same as used in bike and or performance car oil.
 To the average Guzzi rider non of this probably really matters ....

[oldbike54]

Dusty - remind me - WASN'T Mobil 1 V-Twin the OEM recommended oil for Triumph at one point???


 

 Wait , when did I become an expert on oil  ??? :D Actually , Guzzistajohn tells a funny story about the "official recommended " oil brand for his 955 Tiger . Can't remember the order , but the factory or the dealer changed from Castrol to Mobil , or the opposite , and kind of 1984ed him when questioned  ::) ;)  . One of the reasons why I don't pay all that much attention to brand . Back in the day , Triumph recommended Castrol , then Valvoline for a while , then another brand . Read the label , not the brand .

  Dusty

[sib]

And; why is "motorcycle " oil worth more than automotive oil???????

Until recently, I was using Castrol synthetic 10W-60 in my V7 Stone.  I purchased it at a BMW car dealer.  They stock it because some BMW cars specify this oil.  As far as I know, they charge the BMW owners the same as they charged me, so this "motorcycle" oil costs no more than automotive oil (although it's pricy in any case).

[Kev m]

Wait , when did I become an expert on oil  ??? :D Actually , Guzzistajohn tells a funny story about the "official recommended " oil brand for his 955 Tiger . Can't remember the order , but the factory or the dealer changed from Castrol to Mobil , or the opposite , and kind of 1984ed him when questioned  ::) ;)  . One of the reasons why I don't pay all that much attention to brand . Back in the day , Triumph recommended Castrol , then Valvoline for a while , then another brand . Read the label , not the brand .

  Dusty

OOOPS sorry - I READ OHIORIDER, and thought OLDBIKE...

Same question - this time to OhioRider - WASN'T Mobil 1 V-Twin the OEM recommended oil for Triumph at one point???

 

[ohiorider]

OOOPS sorry - I READ OHIORIDER, and thought OLDBIKE...

Same question - this time to OhioRider - WASN'T Mobil 1 V-Twin the OEM recommended oil for Triumph at one point???

 

Hi Kev - I don't recall whether it was officially recommended or not.  I'd used it previously in my W650 for 5 years prior to acquiring the '03 T100, again for approx. 50,000 miles (love putting miles on those parallel twins) with no negative affects.  And I am an 'oldbiker' though not OLDBIKE!

[Tom]

I pay attention to the alphabet on the can.

[ohiorider]

I pay attention to the alphabet on the can.

As you should.

Bob

[Madtownguzzi]

My local Farm and Fleet store has it for $8.99 every day. Use it in the Harley all the time.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/672951-mobil-1-v-twin-20w50-motorcycle-oil.html

[leafman60]

Mobil 1 VTwin is one of the best synthetic 20w50 oils out there.

I generally don't post on oil threads but some time ago, I posted a spec sheet for various oils that shows Mobil 1 VTwin as one of the oils highest in ZDDP (zinc phosphate) anti wear additive. It's somewhere in our archives from a year or two ago.

The VTwin label is there only since Harleys (and now other V Twins) so dominate the motorcycle market.  If 20w50 is your weight, Mobil 1 VTwin is very good.

By the way, somebody questioned the higher price of motorcycle-specific oils and whether there was any difference. There is.  

The big thing is the ZDDP additive.  Many automotive oils have been reformulated over recent years to diminish ZDDP levels since a side-effect of ZDDP is that it will damage catalytic converters as fitted to most automobiles for which automotive oil is designated. Who knows what will happen as motorcycles increasingly go to cat converters too.

Reduced ZDDP affects antique cars as much as motorcycles since they benefit from higher ZDDP too. Many tie the need for good ZDDP levels to flat tappet lifters and their potential for wear as they slide across the camshaft lobes.

You can always buy ZDDP additives to put in your oil but you don't want to overdo it either.

Mobil 1 VTwin is good. At any RPM.

[Lannis]

But is not an oil thread. Its simple a person letting users of V-twin synthetic motorcycle oil know that it is onsale. Nothing more nothing less.

Of course.   We all believe you ....  ;)

Lannis

[Tony/CT]

O.K...so it appears that this is an oil thread after all! So...I picked up an 09 Cal. Vintage last year which calls for 10/60 oil. The PO has been using Mobil 1 20/50 oil in the bike which now has 22,000 miles on it. The dealer he bought the bike from "new" told him it was fine to do that. Todd@ GuzziTech. reflashed the ECU to eliminate the closed loop 02/sensor. I've looked for the rare 10/60 oil around here but it's not happening. I would have to order it. I prefer to buy my oil locally when I need it instead of ordering it so I bought the Mobil 1 20/50 on sale and will use that in the bike as the PO did. Should I be concerned about doing this? The Vintage is so similar to my 02 EV which I've put Mobil 1 20/50 in since new. It now has 45,000 miles on it.Is it that big a deal?  :beat_horse 

[Lannis]

O.K...so it appears that this is an oil thread after all! So...I picked up an 09 Cal. Vintage last year which calls for 10/60 oil. The PO has been using Mobil 1 20/50 oil in the bike which now has 22,000 miles on it. The dealer he bought the bike from "new" told him it was fine to do that. Todd@ GuzziTech. reflashed the ECU to eliminate the closed loop 02/sensor. I've looked for the rare 10/60 oil around here but it's not happening. I would have to order it. I prefer to buy my oil locally when I need it instead of ordering it so I bought the Mobil 1 20/50 on sale and will use that in the bike as the PO did. Should I be concerned about doing this? The Vintage is so similar to my 02 EV which I've put Mobil 1 20/50 in since new. It now has 45,000 miles on it.Is it that big a deal?  :beat_horse 

My opinion only, and don't take offense:

1) Buying the wrong oil for your bike (ie NOT the weight recommended by the manufacturer) is not a good idea.

2) Buying the wrong oil because of a weak prejudice against "ordering" it and "preferring to buy it locally" seems strange even to THIS stuck-in-1968 Luddite.   This is NOT a total-loss lube system, or a Royal Enfield Constellation that will need two quarts of oil on a 1000 mile trip.   You simple order up a case or some quantity of 10W/60 oil and just use it.   You won't need to be carrying quarts of oil with you on a trip.

If my owners manual called for 60W, I wouldn't use 50W in it unless it was an emergency.   And I wouldn't be swayed by someone writing in and saying "My 19-ought-18 old Guzzi called for 40W oil and I've been used 10 weight forever, and it's still running ..."   Anything can happen.   Why compromise?

Lannis