AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Motor Oil Proves Superiority

AMSOIL EXCELS IN V-TWIN TORTURE TEST

• 2019 Harley-Davidson* Street Bob* • Milwaukee-Eight* 107 c.i. engine • 1,000 miles on engine dyno • 300ºF (149ºC) oil temperature • 421ºF (216ºC) max. cylinder temperature

Extreme heat is the biggest enemy for a powerful air-cooled V-twin engine, like those found on most Harley-Davidson* motorcycles. In fact, when designing its latest V-twin engine platform – the Milwaukee Eight* – Harley asked riders what they wanted from its newest engine. Two themes emerged: more power and less heat.

Extreme heat can ruin your ride

Some riders have complained about intense heat radiating from the engine while riding, particularly the rear cylinder, which doesn’t receive as much airflow as the front cylinder.

Extreme heat not only challenges rider comfort, it challenges the engine.

If, for example, heat causes the piston to expand beyond acceptable tolerances, it can rub against the cylinder wall and cause scuffing.

Heat also causes some oils to thin and lose viscosity. The oil can become so thin the engine loses oil pressure, causing the oil-pressure gauge to bottom out.

Riding conditions turn up the heat

V-twin heat becomes especially problematic when riding on hot summer days in conditions that limit airflow over the engine, such as in slow-moving parade or rally traffic. In extreme cases, the bike’s electronic temperature controls shut down the bike if it gets too hot.

Oil-cooled Milwaukee-Eight engine

Harley introduced its Milwaukee-Eight engine in 2016 in part to reduce extreme heat and enhance rider comfort. The engine uses a system of oil-filled cooling jackets surrounding the cylinders to reduce heat. The oil absorbs heat and carries it to a small oil cooler, where it dissipates into the atmosphere.

1,000-mile dyno test

To test AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil in the latest V-twin technology, we purchased a 2019 Harley-Davidson Street Bob equipped with a 107-c.i. Milwaukee Eight engine.

We instrumented the bike and rode it on the street to establish a baseline for “real-world” operation. This confirmed that low-speed, low-airflow conditions, like stop-and-go traffic, created the most challenging conditions.

We then installed the bike on the dyno in our mechanical lab and subjected it to a 1,000-mile test designed to simulate the worst-case conditions we saw on the street. One thousand miles is enough to make 640 trips down Main Street in Sturgis.

Airflow over the engine was restricted to hold the oil-sump temperature at a steady 300ºF (149ºC). Cylinder temperature topped out at 421ºF (216ºC). In these conditions, the oil can quickly oxidize (chemically break down), which causes the viscosity to increase until it’s out of grade and no longer provides the protection the engine requires.

Extreme heat no match for AMSOIL

Following the test, we chemically analyzed the oil to measure viscosity, oxidation, total base number (TBN) and wear metals. We also examined engine parts, in addition to the compensator, for wear or distress.

As shown, AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil (MCV) provided exceptional protection. The piston skirt contains virtually no wear, while deposits are minimal given the extreme conditions. In addition, the rings still move freely for maximum compression and power. The wear surfaces on the compensator are also in excellent condition, indicating the oil provided smooth, reliable shifts.

Rear-Cylinder Piston

The rings are virtually deposit free and didn’t stick for maximum compression and power. The skirt contains minimal scuffing for long engine life.

Compensator

The wear surfaces show minimal distress, indicating the oil protected the compensator for smooth, quiet shifts.

Oil analysis results are also impressive. The oil stayed within its viscosity grade despite the extreme heat. The oil limited oxidation and retained its TBN, which is a measure of its ability to fight corrosive acids. Finally, the oil limited wear metals to trace levels, indicating its excellent level of wear protection.

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AMSOIL vs Harley Davidson Screaming Eagle Oil

AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil Compared to Harley Davidson Screaming Eagle SYN3

AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil out performs Harley's Screaming Eagle Synthetic Motorcycle oil on viscosity retention. See more detailed information on this testing done by an independent lab under controlled conditions. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle oil compared to Harley Davidson Screaming Eagle Motorcycle oil.

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Ride Hard. Run Cool.®

AMSOIL has you covered.

New AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Oil Expands Market

AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Oils

New AMSOIL 10W-40(DB40), 10W-50 (DB50) and 10W-60 (DB60) Synthetic Dirt Bike Oil delivers consistent clutch feel and outstanding gear protection in four-stroke dirt bikes, helping riders maximize their performance on the trail and at the track. It fulfills the demand for dirt-bike-specific motor oil and helps Dealers diversify their businesses.

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Erik Buell Racing Continues to Shake up the Industry

After 30 years, Erik Buell's drive to develop motorcycles on his own terms remains as strong as ever. That drive led him to found Erik Buell Racing (EBR) in 2009, a company devoted to building innovative superbikes that prove jaw-dropping performance is not exclusive to Japanese or Italian companies. Buell's pioneering attitude and commitment to American ingenuity mirror the values of AMSOIL INC. Fittingly, the two companies entered a partnership in 2011, making AMSOIL a sponsor of the EBR team's efforts in the AMA Pro SuperBike Series. This year the team will also compete in World Superbike, the first time an all-American brand will compete on this world-class level.

"We are doing the very best for our customers when we ship with AMSOIL in the bikes and with a strong recommendation that they continue to use AMSOIL products." - Erik Buell

But the partnership goes further than sponsorships. AMSOIL personnel work hand-in-hand with EBR engineers to develop lubrication programs that maximize the tremendous potential of EBR motorcycles. Every bike that leaves EBR's East Troy, Wis. shop, including the new EBR 1190RX, contains AMSOIL synthetic lubricants as the factory-fill and the primary service-fill recommendation.

With peak motorcycle season starting soon and the racing season in swing, AMSOIL Magazine caught up with Buell.

AMSOIL Magazine: It's been five years since you founded EBR. What are you most proud of?

Buell: The people. We started as a tiny company, and it has been so inspiring to see how the young staff at EBR has stepped up to the task of building world-class motorcycles. And it's just as wonderful to have great suppliers and partners like AMSOIL who, without hesitation, put it all on the line to support EBR.

AMSOIL Magazine: What do you still want to accomplish?

Buell: Oh, there is so much more to do. We are busy with all sorts of new products, both for the EBR brand and also for customers of our engineering-consulting business. I just want more of the world to see and enjoy the many exciting two-wheeled products that can come from the minds at EBR.

AMSOIL Magazine: One of those exciting new products is the 1190RX, named by Ultimate Motorcycling as its most anticipated motorcycle of 2014. How does it continue your tradition of innovation?

Buell: There are a lot of unique technical innovations in the bike. Our biggest goals are always related not to any one invention or concept, but putting together a package of ideas where the sum is more than any one part. There are many chassis innovations, like the unique brake [the "inside out" system Buell pioneered that places the rotor outside the caliper for increased suspension effectiveness], magnesium subframe, split radiators, fuel in frame, etc., but the sum total is a lightweight, superb-handling motorcycle.

AMSOIL Magazine: How else does the bike break new ground?

Buell: In another area, since this has been our first time building our own engine, it was important to us to make a real statement of innovation. There is a package of technology in the powertrain aimed at making it a very "green" superbike. The results are a highhorsepower engine that also has a wide and flat powerband, with huge torque, yet is very smooth and easy to ride at part throttle, gets 51 mpg on the EPA drive cycle, emits only 25 percent of permitted HC+NOx exhaust emissions and, incredibly, only 6 percent of CO emissions. These are spectacular numbers.

AMSOIL Magazine: This bike delivers 185 hp and nearly 102 ft. lbs. of torque while weighing just 419 lbs. What do those numbers translate into on the road?

Buell: For us, again, it is a whole package. So big power, big torque and light weight make for speed, but we wanted the 1190RX to also be very easy to ride every day. So we made sure it had a very predictable power delivery, excellent ergonomics, stable handling, great dashboard, powerful brakes and lightweight wheels for the smoothest ride on bumpy roads. It is so fun to ride, no matter where you are riding.

AMSOIL Magazine: Why did you choose AMSOIL synthetic lubricants as the factory-fill lubricant for your bikes, including the 1190RX?

Buell: We have had such good results with AMSOIL, both in the quality of the products and in technical expertise. Because of that, we feel most comfortable that we are doing the very best for our customers when we ship with AMSOIL in the bikes and with a strong recommendation that they continue to use AMSOIL products.

AMSOIL Magazine: On the track, Larry Pegram, formerly of Team AMSOIL, joins Geoff May, Aaron Yates and Cory West this season. What influenced your decision to expand the team?

Buell: The factory EBR Hero/AMSOIL-backed team was headed overseas to run the World Superbike (WSBK) Series, which left a gap in the AMA [SuperBike Series]. Larry had been talking with me for a couple years, and called to say he wanted to switch to our EBR 1190 for 2014. It was a perfect opportunity. Larry is a great rider, and quite a personality as well (an Ohio farm boy with a cool TV show on Velocity called Superbike Family), and he has a very professional crew. His lead sponsor, Foremost Insurance, fits well as another partner – a hardworking, all-American, Midwestern company out of Michigan. AMSOIL has worked with Larry before, and he was happy to be back working with their technical group.

AMSOIL Magazine: Why did you choose this year to broaden the scope of the team and compete overseas?

Buell: The team in WSBK runs an exhausting series, with races ranging from Australia to Europe to Russia to South Africa to Malaysia and even to the U.S. EBR and our sponsors, AMSOIL and Hero, are global companies, and since we finally had the 1190RX ready, with production sufficient for WSBK homologation, we decided it was time to move to that next level to maximize worldwide exposure. (Editor's note: AMA and WSBK homologation rules require a minimum quantity of produced units to guard against specialized bikes built only for racing.)

AMSOIL Magazine: What are your thoughts on EBR introducing the first all-American bike to WSBK?

Buell: We are really happy to have EBR competing in this premier international road-race series. There have been a number of American riders who have raced in World Superbike, but until now, never an American motorcycle.

Follow Team AMSOIL/Hero EBR all season on www.amsoilracing.com.

AMSOIL SYNTHETIC MOTORCYCLE OIL DELIVERS WHAT BIKERS WANT

According to an industry survey, U.S. bikers value engine  protection and quality above all else.

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Over 80 percent of survey respondents rate engine protection and quality as important or very important when selecting motorcycle oil. Viscosity grade and motorcycle specific formulations are also important or very important to a majority of respondents. Interestingly, price was the sixth most important factor, indicating most bikers are willing to pay a premium for motorcycle oils that help them get the best performance and most years from their engines. Results indicate what motorcyclists want in a motor oil is exactly what AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil delivers.

Keeping Bikes Longer

The demographics of the U.S. motorcycle fleet may have played a large role in how bikers responded to the survey. Sales of new bikes, as reported by the Motorcycle Industry Council, reached 452,400 in 2012. However, over half of the 10 million bikes in the U.S. fleet are more than seven years old while almost 25 percent predate 1995. Bikers are keeping their motorcycles longer and selecting lubricants that help them do so by maximizing engine protection and longevity.

MOTORCYCLE SPECIFIC FORMULATIONS

Bikers also value motor oils formulated specifically for motorcycles  demonstrating that many understand the unique challenges motorcycles present to lubricants and the need to use lubricants formulated to meet those challenges. Motorcycles run hotter and at higher RPM  than passenger cars/light trucks – conditions that require robust oils formulated to resist viscosity loss due to extreme heat and mechanical shear. In many bikes, the oil must lubricate the engine, transmission and primary chaincase simultaneously. Effectively protecting against engine and gear wear while delivering superior clutch performance requires a balanced oil tailored to protect all critical areas. Passenger car/light truck motoroils simply aren’t designed to meet the needs of motorcycles. However, 59 percent of respondents indicated an API-certified oil was very important or important, indicating there is still limited knowledge of lubricant specifications and their applicability.

Synthetics on the Rise

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Full-synthetic oils rate as important or very important to 42 percent of respondents. Where bikers once had to be convinced of synthetics’ superiority, many now understand synthetics are better-suited to protect their engines in the toughest riding conditions. The survey also found that the strength of brand reputation and explicit product quality claims are two key differentiators in the market. The AMSOIL brand signifies industry leading quality due to the company’s presence at the largest and most influential motorcycle rallies in North America – including Sturgis, Daytona Bike Week and Laconia Motorcycle Week – and its sponsorships in the motorcycle racing markets – including AMSOIL Arenacross, Erik Buell Racing, Monster Energy Supercross and Loretta Lynn’s AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships.

More importantly, AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil lives up to its performance claims delivering real world benefits experienced by countless bikers. Formulated specifically to meet the demands of motorcycles, its exceptional high temperature film strength provides maximum wear protection. AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil promotes superior engine cleanliness, wet-clutch performance and transmission protection. Its performance has earned AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil a strong reputation for quality, delivering the performance bikers want. 

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