Quote:

If you look at independant testing Rotella doesn't even come close to Amsoil or Mobil.



I've seen the so called independant test and it's suspect. It was sponsored by Amsoil. I don't want to get into an oil debate. All I can tell you is that the Rotella Type 2 Hydro Synthetic is fine for use in our bikes. It's a low ash oil with no additives and that provides very good protection at startup. Oil experts will tell you the most important thing is to have clean oil and to change often. If price is important then Rotella is the oil to use. If you don't care about cost then buy Mobil 1 or Amsoil.

Jeff,

Thanks for your e-mail. I know right away which charts you are referring to. They’re the ones titled "WEAR PROTECTION", ANTI-WEAR CHEMISTRY" and "LESS IS BETTER" on Amsoil’s web site on their motorcycle oil page. These charts also appear on their cartons, brochures and sales literature.

I've posted their charts below:

http://www.spectro-oils.com/letters.htm



The "Four Ball" Wear Test ASTM D 4172 sounds like a very cool way of knowing which oil is going to protect your motorcycle against wear the best. The only problem is that this test is designed to be used for sliding surface wear lubricating fluids, like differential hypoid gear oils according to the ASTM. The CEO of Amsoil, Mr. A.J. Amatuzio, wrote several of those articles promoting that graph as an instrument to show Amsoil as a superior oil, and he knows very well that the ASTM D 4172 is designed as a sliding surface gear and pinion wear test for differential gear scarring. Amsoil’s use of such a test and their choice of using our racing oil to compare with other motorcycle oils to fool their customers is bordering on irresponsible and certainly unfair to the other oil brands mentioned. He is banking on the fact that most people will be fooled and will be unaware that this test is for a different use. Normally, I never would respond to these type of "Snake Oil Salesman" tactics but, since Spectro is specifically mentioned in Amsoil’s promotional and advertising material, along with the Harley oil, I feel compelled to respond to this charade.

First, I am curious as to why Amsoil chose to put the Spectro SPL Racing oil 5w40 in their graphs titled " ANTI-WEAR CHEMISTRY" and "LESS IS BETTER" with all the other 20w50 Harley oils. Oh yes, it must be because that is our oil for racing use with the least amount of Zinc- Phosphorus (ZDDP) additives. They chose to use our racing oil in their charts to show Amsoil products containing more ZDDP than other brands of motorcycle oil. Problem is, that our SPL race oil is not a motorcycle-specific oil. More on this later.

We know, as he does, that high levels of this additive are unnecessary for racing use. You see, these additives are proven to work with the same effectiveness regardless of the amount present in the oil! (so long as there is at least some ZDDP present at all times) Where the benefits of high doses of ZDDP are actually realized is in long-term and long distance use, ensuring that the oil never runs out of this critical additive. That’s why our Golden Spectro 4, Golden American 4, Spectro Heavy Duty and Spectro 4 motorcycle oils all have roughly 50% more zinc-phosphorus additive than our Race oils. Even much more than any of Amsoil’s oils! His claim that his motorcycle oils, "contain more zinc and phosphorus than popular motorcycle oils" is clearly a misstatement. One look at the additive chart of our Golden American 4 20w50 will dramatically prove that he is having trouble with seeing the truth. Our SPL 5w40 Race Oil, as tested by Amsoil and listed in their charts, is a ‘Multi–use’ racing lubricant for cars, bikes and any other vehicle seeking to gain an increase in horsepower. Totally different application. We do not recommend it for use in a Harley! Our Golden Spectro 4, Golden American 4 and Spectro 4 motorcycle oils are, however, very popular motorcycle oils and as such, have always come with the highest levels of ZDDP additives available for an extra margin of safety in motorcycle use. To view their ZDDP additive content charts and to compare their ZDDP numbers to the Amsoil products, visit our ‘oil comparison’ page.

Second, I have a problem with Amsoil’s use and method of the ASTM D 4172 test. The ASTM specifies that this test must be conducted at 75 deg. centigrade (167 F) + or - 2 degrees and a rotation speed of 1,200 RPM + or - 60 RPM for 60 minutes + or - 1 minute. Their tests are not to be subject to the user’s whims or needs, they are to be conducted only one way, within these specifications, regardless of whether the machine used can operate at different speeds and temperatures. The temperature required for this test is not to be changed and is obviously intended for transmission lubricating fluids, not engine oils, based on the required operating temperature.

Amsoil, as quoted in their brochure G-391, says," Amsoil submitted four popular motorcycle oils to spectrographic analysis and Four-Ball Wear (ASTM D 4172) testing" but two paragraphs later say that, "Amsoil conducted the Four-Ball Wear Test at 302 F/ 150C" , a significantly higher temperature… and their chart (see above) actually says the tests were run at 1,800 RPM. I would like to know if Amsoil really sent these oils out for the ASTM D 4172 tests to an independent lab or if they conducted the test themselves, as they readily admit.

I would be very suspicious of any result found and published by a manufacturer that does not follow strict ASTM guidelines and is conducted in such a way as to intentionally alter the ASTM results, as Amsoil has clearly done. That's my opinion.

Last edited by Fishercat; 09/11/2007 7:23 AM.