Can I use Mobil-1 V-Twin 20-50 in an EXC450 single cylinder water cooled motor?

[Blue88Exc300]

Can I use Mobil-1 V-Twin 20-50 in an EXC450 single cylinder water cooled motor? Yes I know I can use it but is there any reason not to, or why you shouldn't? I have used Lucas 20-50 full syn motorcycle oil in my '07 KTM EXC450 since I bought the bike in '2010. I only use it because it was easy to get locally. There seems to be little data on this Lucas oil available3 but what I can find says it's adequate at best.

I have a 2000 H-D Super Glide that I've used the Mobil-1 20-50 in for years and thought if I could safely use this oil in the KTM water cooled motor I could consolidate two oils into one.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Thanks all.

 

[wings&wheels]

I don't see any issue as long as the viscosity is allowed. V-Twin appears to be a quality oil, and I have used it in my Tr6, BMW 2002 and Series III Rover at times. I've since consolidated to M1 15w-50, but will substitute the VT if necessary. Nice bike.

 

[Nessism1]

Does that bike have an electric start? 20W may increase kicking effort when cold compared to a 10W oil. Not sure how much this matters, though.

Edit: found info that it's both kick and electric start. Given that, the V-Twin oil should be a good choice.

 

[Cujet]

Here is a link to my thread.

Post in thread 'Highest HTHS oils available, taking into account shear stability'

Mar 1, 2025

Any thoughts on Mobil 5w50? I have plenty of it, but tend to run 5w40 race oils in my s2000 (no burning)

If you have it, try it. While the 5W-50 is known to shear, it may be worlds better in your engine than the required 0W-water viscosity.

• Cujet

• 

There is absolutely nothing unusual about M1 V-Twin 20W-50. As crazy as it sounds, it is as conventional a synthetic oil as is possible. No Viscosity Index Improvers, superb base stock, robust ZDDP and Calcium. No strange additives, no cost cutting measures.

This places it at the very top of the 'robust oils'.

I've used it extensively in my turbocharged high boost stuff. Holds up perfectly. With an HTHS of 5.9 and zero risk of shear, you would have to look long and hard to find a more robust, regularly available oil. In fact, I'll go as far as to say that there are no oils available to everyone locally, (WalMart for example) that are any more robust. Most fall far short.

Even the 10W-60 motorcycle oils fall short due to VII's and high rates of shear.

 

[BigCahuna]

From what I've seen thru the years, water cooled engines usually use a 10w40 mostly. My air cooled bikes have generally recommend 20 w 40 or 50. That holds 3-4 qts of oil. What does your bikes mfgr recommend for the situations your bike will be used for?. I wouldn't just use an oil because it's handy.,,

 

[Blue88Exc300]

Does that bike have an electric start? 20W may increase kicking effort when cold compared to a 10W oil. Not sure how much this matters, though.

Edit: found info that it's both kick and electric start. Given that, the V-Twin oil should be a good choice.

Oooooh, a 1981 KZ750E! I had an'81 Suz GS750EX I bought new as a holdover in 1982. I battled a few KZ's, it was a flip of the coin. I'm on the black one in the foreground. Pic probably taken summer of '82.....

 

[Arch Stanton]

Oooooh, a 1981 KZ750E! I had an'81 Suz GS750EX I bought new as a holdover in 1982. I battled a few KZ's, it was a flip of the coin. I'm on the black one in the foreground. Pic probably taken summer of '82.....

View attachment 268028

That Kawi GPZ is worth some bucks if it is still around!

 

[UncleDave]

Oooooh, a 1981 KZ750E! I had an'81 Suz GS750EX I bought new as a holdover in 1982. I battled a few KZ's, it was a flip of the coin. I'm on the black one in the foreground. Pic probably taken summer of '82.....

View attachment 268028

Love this.

If the bike on the far left is a CB750F Super Sport, and the one on the far right an 80 GS1100 (could also be a 750)

I had 3 out of those 6 bikes.

The 82 GS1100 (3rd in from left) is probably the best all around bike I ever owned.

 

[Bonz]

The water cooled engines spec 10w40 in many cases however my 2001 zrx1200 with high compression pistons, ZZR 1200 cams, ZZR 1200 carburetors and a rear wheel output of 145 horses and 87 ft lb is liquid cooled and 20w50 is my choice. Kawasaki initially recommends 10W-40 however there's not a temperature in Colorado I won't start the engine up at in the morning if it's even remotely sane to be riding. With a carbureted bike, leave the choke off and crank it a few times to get oil flowing until the oil light goes out. Then flip on the enrichener and fire it up.

I've posted numerous oil changes with 20w50 V-Twin and 10w40 4T Mobil oils. Good stuff all around.

 

[Alain2]

I use M1 15w50 and sometimes M1 v-twin 20w50 in my Tenere 700. I normally use 10w40 in my other motorcycles, but the Tenere runs “on the fan” quite a bit a low speeds on the trails.