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[Midnight Rider]

This has probably been discussed a million times, but I read this on another site, posted by a petroleum engineer...very interesting. I know that the 06 CVO bikes are shipped with Synthetic oils, and I'm a firm believer in them myself, but had no idea there was so much variance.  This is his post:

"Klotz is excellent oil altho a bit pricey, as you have found. Again, in synthetic engine oils, our (he's speaking of Ducati engines) engines simply do not need to churn a 50W oil. We are indeed robbing horsepower, the degree of which depends on the oil manufacturer.. Some 50 weights are just barely over teh 40W viscosity level yet meet the 50W requirements for viscosity allowable range. The thicker the base oil, the higher VI (visocsity index) (needed to achieve the side numbered designation (i.e. a 20W-50 or even 15W-50)) simply costs more money. Thus some oil companies produce a 20W-50 oil which *just* passes the 50W. Other, uncompromising oil companies produce a higher cost to manufacture 20W-50 that ends up in the middle or high end of the 50W range. Providing a much higher level of operational viscosity. So, even in 50 weights, all are not equal.
Same is true for 10W-40 engine oils. The top rated MCN (Motocycle Consumer News) oils (I am still searching for my articles!) held viscosity not only in testing but after running. These oils were in mid to high 40W at operational temperatures and provided the (theoretical) best film thickness at those times.

Best oils MCN recommended. Please keep in mind that I am biased (more by professional experience than by paycheck) but Mobil 1 MX4T 10W-40 (and the Mobil 1 motorcycle series) were among the 4-5 top rated oils.. The nice part of Mobil 1 MX4T (or Mobil 1 racing 4T or Mobil 1 V-Twin (20W-50) is that they are very reasonable cost-wise yet contain the highest cost base stocks, additive packages, etc..
There is some history with Mobil 1 motorcycle oils in that the former chief chemist owned 17 bikes and, nearing his retirement, asked Mobil to forget the gold watch and allow him to formulate ultimate motorycle oils. Mobil 1 MX4T/VTwin were developed and we have the good fortune end results of his work. All of this series are superb cost no object products resulting from his work and yet marketed at an excellent price.

And yes, I have seen it soooo many times on Dyno's I guess I could write a book... As example in all NASCAR racing engines. 99% are now running a 0W-30 Mobil 1... It is all about horsepower gain without sacrificing wear rates... We have a local motorcycle shop that "guarantees" a HP gain with Mobil 1 MX4T/V-Twin over mineral based oils. If a dyno does not reflect an increase the shop owner pays for the Mobil 1 MX4T and the dyno run. If an increase is shown, bike owner pays. The shop owner has never paid for a dyno run... Most of the dramatic gains are for those bikes that drove in with a mineral based 20W-50, change to the 10W-40 MX4T... And yes, the guy comes to mind that spent serious dollars on mods only to have the oil change achieve more; he was running a 60W! (as adivsed by the engine builder/modifier)

And yes, I would venture to say that your skilled right hand would be able to *easily* discern the difference in rear wheel horsepower for your engine with a 10W-40 vs. your current 50W. And yes, I have seen people spend huge sums of money for that extra 1 or 2 horsepower (NASCAR, again, comes to mind) when a simple viscosity change achieves the same end... Try churning a 50W with a hand egg-beater sometime then switch to a 40W.. You will be amazed at the difference..

[ggraves427]

The Mobil One MX4T makes sense, but I have called all over Dallas, Tx trying to find it with no luck.  I finally called Exxon Mobil Corp office was told I could buy it at any of their service stations.  I will stop on the way home, but I have my doubts.  Any suggestions?

[erniezap]

I run Amsoil in the engine and primary and Red Line Shcokproof in the tranny.  Works great, and have no intentions of changing...

[CVOJOE]

Red Line Shcokproof in the tranny and H-D synthetic works for me, but not against using Amsoil, Red Line, or Mobil if the deal was right really. Convenience when on the road is a plus, as far as finding it if you need it.

[Midnight Rider]

Hotlineguy...According to the guy that wrote the above, the Mobile 1 MX4T is available at most Autozones, PepBoys, etc.  From what he said, it's the Group IV/V synthetic rating that is the most critical thing to look for, regardless of brand.  I will be searching for some soon, as I plan on changing what's currently being run in my Duck (Shell "synthetic"...which, according to him is not a true synthetic at all, but a dino oil).  Hopefully, you will find it at the Exxon station.

[Gordon]

I tried Pep Boys earlier today, will try Auto Zone tomorrow.  I hope Auto Zone has it because they have stores in many areas of the country.  I have Redline in the tranny.  

[Garznhogs]

For those using Shockproof in the tranny... does it look like a raspberry smoothie in there? Used in the old bike and the looks of it made me worry...red and really foamy.  [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

Garz   [smiley=smoking.gif]

[grc]

For those using Shockproof in the tranny... does it look like a raspberry smoothie in there? Used in the old bike and the looks of it made me worry...red and really foamy.  [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

Garz   [smiley=smoking.gif]

Garz,

Yup, that's the way it looks right out of the bottle.  Strange looking stuff, but it works well.

Jerry

[Screamin_Beagle]

I run Amsoil 20W-50 in 2 holes and Amsoil Severe Gear in the tranny.  I have had such good luck over the years,  I'm not changing......I've heard great things over the years about Mobile 1 and Red Shift.....no doubt great products......I think it kinda comes down to seats and pipes....to each his own......  I do believe that synthetics ARE the only way to go (we ride pretty hard out here,  and most anywhere we want to go,  you have to cross Death Valley....).  I like the little piece of mind that comes with knowing that I've done everything I can to protect the insides.....IMHO.

_Beagle

[ccr]

The redline may look funny, but it makes it so that when you shift, it is as smooth as running your knife through warm butter.  It really makes a big difference.  

[SPIDERMAN]

You know, I was going to dig out the oil study paper that was posted on the site awhile back and quote from it, but then I realized that Beags is right, this is the old carb, seat, pipes etc argument and everyone has their preference and no matter what you show em along the lines of scientific or epirical evidence, they're gonna do what they're gonna do. I just mention this to save some of the rest of you some wear and tear on your keyboards.

[CVOinLV]

I wanted to switch to Mobil 1 MX4T/VTwin on my last oil change so I called every parts store in town with no luck so put in HD syn this time and planned to order the Mobil 1 MX4T/VTwin on line for the next oil change.  Well, I walked into Wal Mart last night and guess what, there it was Mobil 1 MX4T/VTwin on the shelf next to some cheap motorcycle helmets.  No filters though!

[ggraves427]

MX4T--Tried Auto Zone this AM with no luck.  We have a brand new high end Wal Mart in town so I will try it on my way home.  I hope they have it because I don't want to use a product that you cannot find out on the road.

[Michael]

I used to be an Amsoil fan. All my race bikes/quads & gasser car & trucks had Amsoil throughout. I haven't been sold on the benefit to using synthetics in diesels as of yet.

I have been running syn3 in the scoots since they released it.

I diddnt even consider Amsoil until I read above. So to understand the application correctly, Amsoil 20W-50 in Crankcase & Primary. Amsoil Severe Gear in Tranny?

Please confirm.

[SEULTRA]

I used to be an Amsoil fan. All my race bikes/quads & gasser car & trucks had Amsoil throughout. I haven't been sold on the benefit to using synthetics in diesels as of yet.

I have been running syn3 in the scoots since they released it.

I diddnt even consider Amsoil until I read above. So to understand the application correctly, Amsoil 20W-50 in Crankcase & Primary. Amsoil Severe Gear in Tranny?

Please confirm.

That will work...
I use AMSOIL 10W-40 in the primary, 20W-50 in the crankcase and 75W-90 SG in the tranny. I immediately noticed that the shifting was easier and quieter when I made the change from Syn3.  [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]