Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Amsoil 20w50 ... Vtwin??

I haven't been able to find Amsoil 20w50 that isn't labeled as "V-Twin" Is this the same formula as the old "20w50 Motorcycle Oil"? has something changed? What is a good replacement oil? I love Amsoil.

I wouldn't use it, it will make your motor vibrate excessively and make too much noise like a Harley...

Mobil 1 did the same thing w/20-50. My guess, it's marketing for those who don't know beans about what they ride - but it's a V-Twin so I've got to buy V-Twin oil.

I ran ran it in my Honda for ahile and its great oil.Still use it for my Harley,you should be good with other motorcycles.
http://www.amsoil.com

It's about time we had another oil thread! I used Crisco "Ultra" for all the time I owned my America. Had an added benefit of smelling like french fries after the motor warmed up!

V-Twin............. D_mn Democrats

But really I am sure it is the same oil. Just marketing to the masses.

Thicker oils generate more engine heat than a thinner viscosity, I wouldn't go beyond a 10-40,50 in viscosity. A Temp Gauge or a Laser Heat Registering device will bear this out as factual. Plus V-Twins usually do not rev as high as our motors. But this is America and we have been conditioned since childhood to think higher numbers, always means better. Thinner oils lube bearings quicker on cold startup, and a lot easier on you starter components and as well as our plastic geared oil pumps. IIRC, Amsoil markets a line of oils specifically for metric cruisers.

I run Amsoil 10W40 and it does great. Guess I did not think about adding that since that was not the question.

I know what you need to do.

E-mail AMSoil and ask them when they are going to make a Parallel Twin oil. Tell them all you could find was the V-Twin oil and you don't by god own a V-Twin.

The V-twin most people think of when they hear the term has roller bearings in the bottom end. These give you less friction, which is a good thing, but there is less contact area and lots of empty space between the rollers. These need thick oil so it won't squirt out from under the rollers when the engine is developing torque. Engines like the newer Triumphs have shell bearings that fit quite closely to the crank journal and need thinner oil to fill the small space there.

web page

Having looked again at Amsoil's website, I may have had an issue submitting a question because I never received a confirmation email. I resubmitted and it looks like it has been received, so I will post their answer here when I get it. I included a question about their Metric oil as well.

The final word from Amsoil:

"The two names are for the same oil, product code MCV. We just changed the name for the oil to V-Twin to better show what engines it is usually used in. I recommend continued use of the 20W50, now V-Twin Oil. "

BTW I told him I had a parallel twin. I personally don't think this is a great move but whatever. Maybe it's the first step in squeezing a little more out of everyone, that would make more sense.

Anyway I guess I'll just keep using the 20w50 "Vtwin" Since this is what I've been running for 13 years.

If your bike has been fine with 20-50 for 13 years, why stop now. I was involved with a project at a cardboard box plant, installing new production lines with a new proprietary hydraulic system. The specified Hyd Oil was over $500 a 5 gallon bucket and was 5 wt, but the plant manager insisted on using the 20 wt that they had always used. During the run in/punch list phase, blown hoses, electric control valves stopped functioning, etc, the systems operating temps soared to 100% of normal at idle , even higher during production runs. I was called back 3 times to help identify the problem and make any changes needed (a $250,000 oil cooler was one change). I told the manager one on one, that maybe he should use the recommended oil and he blew me off. A year later, the Box plant burned down. My first Speedmaster, I went with 20-50 wt, next oil change 10-40 wt, and my temp gauge consistently read 20 to 50 degrees F cooler than the thicker oil. Or I wouldn't have even put my 2 cents in. Oil preferences is as varied as preferences in Mates, an argument probably just left alone.

Ryk is spot on abut the oil viscosity, I was always under the false assumption that a tad thicker is better, so I ran 20/50, he advised me to go down to 10/40 and my engine temp dropped 10 or 15 degrees.

I won't argue running the lower viscosity oil runs a little cooler but why would you want that? (Wade maybe, living in a warmer area)My bike runs around 200ºF to 225º on a hot day and hard riding, that is the sweet spot running temp wise. I run the Amsoil 20/50 motorcycle oil.

Rotella T6 5w40 ... my bike rarely runs over 200F on the hottest of days...oils well that ends well... nyuk-nyuk-nyuk.

I use the exact same oil and viscosity. And it's cheaper than heck at WallyWorld, by the Gallon. The only thing I buy there on a regular basis.

Hmmm. Well, to be honest I've been wondering about a new oil for years now, but haven't found anything with better ratings than Amsoil.

I hesitate to ignore you Ryk. You've been 150% about everything and you're definitely the real deal.

I don't let my oil go past a year or 3-4000 miles. I've checked out the Rotella before. People swear by it, but I've also heard some not so great stuff about it. Not sure what to think. I can say that I've changed my oil in the past and found it to be noticeably low when draining. Maybe I'm burning oil because it's running too hot? I thought the higher viscosity was better for hot weather. I didn't do a lot of cold weather riding in NJ, but some. And it's pretty hot in SoCal.

I could use a break in price. I like Amsoil but I'm not a zealot. I'm for what will keep my baby alive the longest. What do you think? 13 years, changing oils? I can still return the "Vtwin" oil.

Put 160,000 on 02 BA using mobile v-twin 20/50 no problems. Have 06 BA and am using quicksilver 20/50 motorcycle oil from Walmart about 25.00 a gallon. They make great boat oil maker, Johnson everude..

Ahhh, the oil talk. Gotta love it. Rotella. OK. It's pretty good, I got 1.3 million miles on my Cummins L10 300 and when I sold it, it was still tight. Changed at 12K and 15 K sometimes.

You know what guys....if you change the oil as often as Triumph recommends, pretty well anything will do, motorcycle specific....

I generally change mine once a season in the spring and nothing ever goes in my engine except Amsoil no matter how often it gets changed. I think it is worth the extra protection.

Gonna try the Rotella 5w40. Did a 3 day trip to the desert and the bike felt pretty hot. Obviously. But I used to live in NJ. I think the weather here in CA calls for a different oil.

We all have our favourites....reminds me of medieval pilgrims swearing by the bones of St Rewth ( patron saint of Australia?) as opposed to the bones of St Upid ( patron saint of the intellectually challenged?)
I'm with the guys that just change oil frequently...I'll put almost anything in my bike but change it and filter every 2-3 k.
So far none of my problems have been caused by the brand of oil I used...plenty caused by rider stupidity, design flaws, previous owner imbecility.etc.