I found a list showing compatible filters, but finding out what oils I can choose from is proving to be a headache.  Is it really just a matter of picking one that suits your climate?  Do I have to go with a semi synthetic, or full synthetic, or can I settle for a "normal" oil?

I've always used Active 4T is my non-Harleys and there's still two bottles in the shed 

So everyone gets the dealers/mechanics to service their Sportsters? I've never been on a motorcycle forum that is so hard to get any info from.

So I'll make the question easier, if you do change your own oil (and its sad if you don't...lol) what brand do you use?

Bonkerz,

I use Mobil 1 V-Twin synthetic oil, it's great stuff, it's far better than the HD Oil. The first thing I noticed when I switched to Mobil was far less top end engine noise. Many people on here use it.

TVM Kingchops. Anyone use anything else? Any non-synthetic users etc?

KiwiDave, I thought this topic would have been done before, but I'm not good with the search feature on this site and I started to get a headache and thought I'd just save time and ask.
And Point 9/ was what I was looking for, but I didn't want to influence an opinion. Id been told that the Mobile 1 car oil is cheaper and better for Harleys (since there's no wet clutch) so that makes me happy.
I hadn't even thought of the gearbox, so I guess that can be next...

Well I dropped into the local Supercheap auto on my way home to grab a suitable filter wrench and as luck would have it they have none...*sigh*

A quick look at the oil showed:

Mobile synth S = $32.95 10W-40 <----may have to do some more reading on that one.
Pennzoil synthblend $39.90 10W-40<----so not fully synthetic?
Mobile 1 (silver bottle) $69.95 5W-50
Mobile 1 (gold bottle) $82.95  10W-40
Mobile 1 for bikes not found...

Only oil filter I could find to fit looked like cheap crap so I may have to put this whole thing off for awhile....

I was thinking the same after seeing the dodgy boxes on the two I looked at. Anyone know the price of a genuine filter?

Black is $12

Chrome is $16

Had to wait for a mate to pick up a filter for me, so today I went out oil shopping...

Firstly, the Mobile one oil is 5w-50? IS that the right one? I don't think there's a 20-50, but there might be a 10w-something.. So is everyone using 5w-50? That's thinner right, more leaks?

I'm not looking forward to working out what transmission oil after this...

Synthetic is the leak causer. It's the way the oil molicules line up. 5w/50 is a winter oil, way too thin for a Sporty. I am using the 20w/50 Edge Sport by Castrol. Get it at the BP servo on my work fuel card. Got to have some lerks with a salary package. I would steer clear of the lower w oils and keep with the 15w or better ones. Not to keen on the synthetic breeds also, way to many additives for my liking. This motor is an old style motor with tappets, lifters and rockers not chains and over head cams.

I looked at the Castrol Edge Sport, but here was no 20w/50 - the closest was a 25w-50. If that's no good maybe I'll go round the servos and see what's on offer in the Castrol department.
I almost just bought Valvoline Maxlife 20W-50, which I may just do if I can't figure anything else out.

There was no Castrol Corse Plus 20w/60 for the transmission (or anything else I thought could be suitable) btw, so maybe I'll go servo hopping anyway. If I go the Castrol road I'll try to get both.



The reason I've asked for opinions, and especially exact brands/info is because I had a few oils recommended, but I checked out the "all about motor oil" link I found they were taboo when it comes to Sportsters. So after a lifetime of just walking into a shop and grabbing any seemingly suitable oil my confidence is shattered...

Don't suppose you're running a Sportster Roadtrain and have a specific Synthethic + details in mind?
I would have thought the 5w means thinner, which meant easier to get out too - though I suppose if I have an oil leak I should prolly fix it anyway...

Now that's exactly what I was looking for in regard to mobile one.   But I get the feeling I'm going to have to order it in if I want it ...  I'd forgotten to ask about the V-twin specfic mobile 1, and I know she didn't mention it when I asked what types I could order.

 

 

Thanks all.

Yes sorry the Castrol Edge is 25w/50. The Corse Plus is only in 1lt bottles and not in many servo's. Get the Edge from 1 and the Corse from another. If you use synthetic oil very early on in the engine life you will reduce the amount of leaking. If you put it in an older motor leaks are more common. The only reason that I am using the Castrol oils is I can get them on my work fuel card. After using them though I wouldn't hesitate in putting them in the scoot.

Hi Guy's

Just wanted to say G/day and also say thanks for the discussion on oil, not all of us come to grips with this stuff. Have been riding H/Ds for the last 15 years and mainly English twins for the prior 22 years, for my two bob's worth ?, run dino piss 20/50 donk, 80/90 trans and the prim straight 30.

There might be some arg over dino or syn but it comes down to preference, if you want to change less as the guy's before me have stated, go syn,  if you are an anal retentive like me, when it comes to looking after what you really cant afford, go dino and change every 4000ks. Cooler ? Hotter? I don't know, but when it comes to what vibrates your scrotum, be religious and pray often

Gomer

for what its worth bonkers

i run penrite 10 tenths 20w 60 in the sporty in both holes and use an evo oil filter

oil works a treat in wa's warmer temps and is recomended for harleys

extra plus is its an  aussie company

am thinking of using a different gearbox oil to help shift quality tho.