Sportster engine viscosity.

[splineman]

Hi everyone. This is my first post on BITOG so please be gentle if this is a silly question.
I have read around the site for a couple of weeks now....what a great site, but have a question for you oil guru's.
I have an '05 Sportster 1200, 30000 miles, and have been using Penrite HPR Diesel 20w-60 in the engine and HD Formula+ in the shared primary transmission. I live in NZ so winters are around 10C and summers around 26C.
The question is do you think 20w-60 is too thick? I emailed Penrite and they said no problem.
My other easily available alternative is Mobil Delvac MX 15w40 but I thought this too thin?
Bear in mind it's a roller bearing engine with low pressure highish flow.
Cheers

 

[AVB]

I honestly don't think either of those oils would ever cause you problems, but you may find one to run quieter than the other.

 

[Robenstein]

Not sure of the availability but there are some 15w50 diesel oils sold in the USA that work well. Mystik Oil for instance makes a semi synthetic one I have had some decent luck with.

 

[Propflux01]

Since you are in the low 80's (F) the 20w-60 almost seems overkill. Do you not have availability of 20w-50? the Delvac should work OK in the mild temps you have, Especially your winter months.

 

[Clevy]

I'm using rotella conventional 15w40 in my Harley. Big bore,cams,headwork. Very custom. I used 60 grades before. I got tired of paying more for oil than I did for tires.

 

[splineman]

I am concerned the 20w-60 is thick.....but that 15w40 is thin?
We can get 20w-50 MC oils easily but M1 v-twin is $25+ a us quart and I cannot get my head around paying that price.
I would like to try the 15-40 HDEO's but am not informed enough to go against the Harley 20-50 thing.
CLEVY...I have noted you use 15w40....and you feel it's thick enough.

 

[splineman]

Penrite make a 15w-50 but they market them as "Extra 10" and I feel it's just a 15w40 with more additives? and so a bit of salesmanship.
So if I chose the 15w-50 and it "shears" quicker than a 15w40 would I still be better off with the 15w-50? My OCI is 3000-5000 miles.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: splineman
I am concerned the 20w-60 is thick.....but that 15w40 is thin?
We can get 20w-50 MC oils easily but M1 v-twin is $25+ a us quart and I cannot get my head around paying that price.
I would like to try the 15-40 HDEO's but am not informed enough to go against the Harley 20-50 thing.
CLEVY...I have noted you use 15w40....and you feel it's thick enough.


Well I've had 15w40 in the bike for 3 oil changes now. Over 10000 miles. No consumption,top end is very quiet so no I don't think its too thin. In fact thus far I think its perfect.

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: splineman
Penrite make a 15w-50 but they market them as "Extra 10" and I feel it's just a 15w40 with more additives? and so a bit of salesmanship.
So if I chose the 15w-50 and it "shears" quicker than a 15w40 would I still be better off with the 15w-50? My OCI is 3000-5000 miles.


Since your engine does not share oil with the transmission, shearing is not a real concern in a Sportster. You are being financially taken for Mobil 1 V twin. Here is 9 bucks a quart. Another good option is Valvoline VR1 20w50 racing oil if its cheaper down there.

 

[splineman]

Clevy...thanks for the reply, your point on viscosity is taken.
Robenstein...yeah not many use Synthetics around here as it's so dear. So you reckon shearing is not a huge issue in the Sportster, I thought so but wasn't sure.
Valvoline is available but not a big range. Haven't seen the VR1, just SynPower 5W-40 and Diesel Extra 15w40.

I agree totally the M1 is too expensive and the wholesaler even thinks so, although by all accounts it's a fine product. In fact $25 is a good price! Check this out http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/842-mobil_4_stroke_engine_oil/1458-mobil_v_twin_20w50_oil.aspx

The same Mobil wholesaler will sell me Delvac MX for $45 for 5L in my container, or $119 for the 20L drum which is the only size available. So I want to be sure I end up with a suitable product.
I'll probably go for the 20L of Delvac and use it in both my bikes.
Boy buying oil seemed easier in the old days.
Thanks guy's for the advise, I appreciate it.
Cheers

 

[Robenstein]

Another good option would be Kendall GT1 20w50. It showed great results in Harley engines. But again, might not be available.

 

[splineman]

Oil companies seem to rename their products in different markets arbitrarily.
I really don't understand why and it creates confusion on international forums and discussions such as this.
They need to move forward and have global products like Mobil have done with M1, Delvac etc....although the pricing in NZ (M1) is unrealistic.
We can get a range of European products at high prices and I'm not sure some of the mineral products are worth the pricey labels.
Just my take.....I could be wrong.
The value I get from this site is that you guy's (mainly our American friends) are actually measuring the results. No if's and but's....
I can get UOA done here at $45 per sample and may do that in the future. The company don't get many small engines due to the cost.
Cheers

 

[benjy]

20-50 would be enough for sure. i even went with 10-40 when i rode in cooler temps, the engine cranked slowly with 20-50 even in a garage, unheated though. the roller bearings mean nothing, that was harleys bull for not using synthetics until they had one to market themselves, the overpriced screamin chicken oil. using a better oil with at least group III legally called "synthetic" is a good move also

 

[Clevy]

The top end on my Harley was so noisy using Mobil 1 20w-50 v-twin I thought something was broken. Never again. M1 and Harley's are like Mobil 1 and jeeps. Just say no.