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.

AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Products

AMSOIL Motorcycle Products

Ride Hard. Run Cool.®

AMSOIL has you covered.

Synthetic Motor Oil for Victory® and Indian® Motorcycles

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New AMSOIL20W-40 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil (MVI) is formulated to provide premium protection for Victory and model-year 2013 and newer Indian motorcycles. It is the only full-synthetic 20W-40 motorcycle oil on the market, presenting riders a premium alternative to Indian- and Victory-branded semi-synthetic oils. Indian and Victory motorcycles incorporate a shared sump, and AMSOIL 20W-40 is formulated to provide outstanding protection for engines and transmissions. It is absolutely shear stable, keeping motorcycles well-protected even in extreme heat conditions.

The Value of Consistent Clutch Feel

It’s well-known that racing is one of the ways AMSOIL motor oils are tested, proven and fine-tuned to become the exceptional products we stand behind. We don’t invest in racers simply to put the AMSOIL brand in front of fans; AMSOIL racers become technical partners.

AMSOIL Synthetic Dirtbike Oil

The development of new AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Oil, introduced last month, offers a perfect example. AMSOIL-sponsored supercross and motocross racers identified consistent clutch feel as a key performance attribute on the track. At the time, there was no dirtbike-specific oil on the market that provided the level of clutch consistency professional and amateur riders need. Consistent clutch feel is critical to riders during race starts to keep the bike from lurching forward prior to the gate dropping. Trail riders, meanwhile, need consistent clutch feel to confidently navigate obstacles without having to shift gears and lose momentum.

Armed with that information, AMSOIL engineers went to work. Clutch feel is inherently subjective, which creates challenges in designing a lubricant that delivers this benefit. To overcome that challenge, AMSOIL designed an extreme simulated-start test for dirt bikes. The test allows AMSOIL engineers to apply accelerated stress to a dirt bike’s clutch in order to monitor clutch feel produced by a candidate lubricant.

AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Oil was also subjected to extensive ontrack testing in the bikes of GEICO/AMSOIL/Honda Factory Connection and other professional riders. This combination of rider feedback and lab testing resulted in the final formulation of AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Oil.

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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