G'Day fellas, I'm just wondering what engine oil you find works best in HD's. I'm running a 1200 Sportster with 40000 km's on the clock. The last oil change was with GULF WESTERN HI TECH PREMIUM 20/50. Almost all my riding is done on the highway at 110, so it uses a fair bit and I've been told to keep the oil level about an 1/8" off the max to stop oil being wasted out of the breathers. I've been told not to waste money on premium synthetic oils as the HD is not a high reving DOHC 4 valve engine. The Gulf Western oil is cheap, about half the price of HD oil, which is great, but it is car engine oil and not really designed for a hot running, air cooled motorbike engine. What oils have you found last well, don't get burnt up and give the longest engine life?

Thanks, Dude

 

My only experience with oil is changing from HD oil to Mobil 1 V-Twin at my first service, I found that the Mobil reduced top end engine noise quite a bit compared to the HD which has to be good.

You can put used cooking oil in Sporsters and they still keep going.



Don't do it, just joking. Nothing but the best for my baby, good insurance.

Thanks for the replies fellas.

I wasn't real keen on using Gulf Western Oil, but the mechanic said that I'm really wasting money by using $20 per Liter synthetic oils, better to use a standard car oil made for two valve push rod engines. I can get Mobil 1 V twin through my local Mobil dealer at $15 per Liter if I buy the whole box of 6x1 quart bottles. I know it should quieten down top end noise, but do you find it's worth the extra money? Do you guys run it for longer than Mineral oil. I've read that I can change it at 8000km's instead of 4000km's but that seems a long time to be using it. I've met other HD riders who use cheaper oil like the Gulf Western and change their oil every 2000km's because as the oil absorbs carbon it becomes abrasive and starts to work in reverse wearing out the engine faster. I've ordered a K&P stainless mesh oil filter which should keep the oil cleaner.

I've worked out that if I use the Mobil 1 at $15 per liter and change it every 6000km's it works out about the same as using HD oil at $10 per liter and changing it every 4000km's. I could clean the oil filter more often like every 3000km's. I would like to work out the best way of getting the most life out of my engine and saving on running costs. Once I choose I'll stick with it.

Yeah I know it all sounds a bit nerdy but it's too hot to lay concrete today and probably too hot to enjoy a decent ride, so I'm stuck inside on the computer waiting for it to cool down. It's Adelaide cup holiday today which is great if you live in Adelaide but not real cool when you live 5 hours away.

Thanks again, Dude

Penrite HPR 50 and Fleetgaurd LF3339 filters.
It is an air cooled - pushrod - v-twin.
It's not rocket science here, or your local Harley Davidson mechanic would be a .......rocket scientist.

I started off on mobil 1  20w50 but found out that  all the people I rode with used Penrite 50 (and its half the price). It depends upon where you live. Up in the tropics of Cairns you apparently need straight 50 oil but down south you need 20w50. HD oil was made for cooler climates so Ive been told, its got to be true because since when do old bikers talk shit

I have  recently gone through the change oil exercise for my V-Rod, after using Screamin Eagle in my bike from new. After much debate on the merits of

different oils from other HD forums it would appear two brands came out on top..those being Mobil 1 V-Twin & Amsoil, in my case MCV.Here is

a link to the Amsoil site  http://www.technilube.com/motorcycle/http://www.technilube.com/motorcycle/  follow the link as it compares most of the top oils including Mobil 1

V-Twin. After reading most of the available  articles on the subject & comments from many HD owners, my choice has come down to either Mobil 1 V-Twin or Amsoil.

Amsoil seems to have the slight edge in the comparison stakes however it is harder to find in aussie, although the distributor is in Victoria(i'm dealing with them now). I

found that after using Screamin Eagle Syn3 for so long, that in fact it is not fully synthetic,but partly mineral based. I would like to see if fully synthetic premium oil  will

make any difference.