Valvoline VR1 20w/50 Racing Oil

[Stevex]

Yep, an oil thread...get over it 
Just ordered a jug of this for my next oil change on the LM2.
Seems to have all the right qualities, mineral, high zinc / phosphorus recommended for flat tappets.
Anyone else used this?

[rodekyll]

Why not?

[Stevex]

Why not?

Why not what ?

Why not use it? That's not the question I asked...
Not being pedantic, just don't understand your response.

[rodekyll]

Why not use it?  I have a stock of Valvoline 4-stroke 20/50 motorcycle oil on my shelf that I use in the Jackal engine.  I'd use the racing stuff if it was handy. In my older engines I traditionally go with whatever meets specs, is on sale, and doesn't make mayo.  IMO, as long as the right stuff is in the bottle, use it.  I'm pickier about the hydro, but there are reasons for that.

[John A]

I've been using it since about '83, no oil related problems so why not?

[Lannis]

Why not use it?   It's just a motorcycle, not like the world will stop turning if it wears out or fails sooner than it would have with the recommended oil.   If it's cheap and available, go for it.

Lannis

[guzzisteve]

After Kendal changed the mix in the GT1 20/50,I switched to Valvoline car oil. This works great, never an oil issue.
Then I started using the 20/50 Motorcycle oil from them, noticed the valvetrain was quieter.
This was the only difference I noticed between VR1 and the bike oil.
 

[Green1000S]

I've used it years in my Quota and 1000S.
No issues.

[sign216]

I've been using Castrol 10w-60 auto oil.  I can pick it up locally at BMW dealers, where it's recommended for an old BMW model. 

It doesn't have the high zinc/phos content of SG rated oils, but it does have friction enhancers that are missing from motorcycle oils.  Guzzi's dry clutch make it ok to use the auo oil with the friction modifiers. 

So....it's pick which issue you want to attack.

[Madtownguzzi]

I use the racing oil or motorcycle whichever one is cheaper at the time. Excellent oil.

[Guzzistajohn]

When I bought my cx100 from mike Harper in 1989 I asked him what kind of oil to use and he told me to use valvoline racing. Never saw a reason to change.

[Perazzimx14]

Using VRI in Guzzi's is very common knowledge. In the springtime (around the beginning of April) Advance Auto usually puts VR1 on sale for $3.49 per quart. I normally stock up on 12 or 24 quarts of 20w/50 for the Guzzi's and some straight 30e for the zero turn. I was at Wally World the other day and they had end of season closeout on motorcycle stuff. Valvoline synthetic 4T was $5 per quart. I cleaned off the shelf of all the 10w/40 and 20w/50. My DR's will be happy for a while

[Stevex]

Using VRI in Guzzi's is very common knowledge.

Well that was the info I was looking for, thanks.
I've not really taken much notice of Valvoline before and only found the VR1 mineral because I was searching for an alternative to the Agip Classic I used for my last oil fill. It seems to be a lot cheaper in the US, I've just paid £34 for 5 litres.

[kballowe]

There are a few used oil analysis for the VR-1 out on www.bobistheoilguy. com in the motorcycle sub-forum.

Many of the Harley guys are running the Valvoline VR-1 20W-50 conventional oil. 
Surprisingly, it has a higher flash point than the VR-1 Synthetic version. 

The VR-1 turns in some great numbers in the used oil analysis(s).

Great stuff.

[MGPilot]

Great oil. Used it in my airplane....but couldn't use it in a car that used the same weight oil as the high zinc, etc., will destroy catalytic converters.  That's why they call it racing oil, not for vehicles with cat's.