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Mobil agrees. Except they say don't put it in the primary/clutch. (I think it's because of the moly.) This is from their "Ask Mobil" site)
The majority of guys I know with what I would consider 'very high mileage bikes' are running the regular Mobil 1 synthetic 15W50, and even UOA's show it is not much different from the high priced 20W50 V-Twin.
We can get it locally for about $22 for a 5 quart container, or a little over $4.00 a quart.
Even though I run a good synthetic GL-5 rated fluid in Harley transmissions I doubt very seriously if the moly content in Mobil 1 15W50 would do any harm to clutch packs, as it's moly count is only around 80ppm. That is a lower moly count than that of some 'motorcycle specific oils'.
Many many folks I know that have dual sport bikes (in which the engine, tranny, and primary share the same fluid) use nothing but Mobil 1 15W50 in their bikes, and nobody has had any clutch problems.
Anyway the below picture shows what I am using in the engines of my Harleys. Up until this year I ran nothing but the synthetic 15W50, but I got a super deal on a few cases of the good Group 5 RedLine 20W60HD, so I've using it during the hot summer months. (It has been in the upper 90's all this week, with a heat index of over 110 degrees, so the slightly higher viscosity of the RedLine 20W60 won't hurt anything).. Before you yell that a 60 weight upper end is too heavy check your owners manual. Harley themselves recommends a 60 weight fluid in the engine when the outside temperatures are 80 degrees or higher.
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__________________ "Magna Res Est Vocis Et Silentii Temper Amentum"
(The Great Thing Is To Know When To Speak, And When To Keep Silent)
Mobil agrees. Except they say don't put it in the primary/clutch. (I think it's because of the moly.) This is from their "Ask Mobil" site)
Question:
Using Mobil 1 15W-50 in Harley-Davidsons
Several independent tests have shown that Mobil 15W-50 is virtually similar to Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 oil. Since Harleys utilize separate oil supplies for the primary and tranny, is there any valid reason not to use the 15W-50 in a Harley?
-- Dave Gartner, Goodyear, AZ
Answer:
As long as the primary and tranny are separate sumps and there is no concern for clutch performance, then Mobil 1 15W-50 can be used in a Harley.
I agree. I CANNOT in good conscience put ENGINE oil in a transmission. I use Mobil 1 GEAR oil for the tranny and the cheapest store brand 10w-40 I can find for the primary. Been riding a lot of years on several bikes and have never had an oil related problem.
I've been using the regular ole Rotella T 15W40 in my primaries for more years than I can remember.
It's also used in the engines by many that I ride with (even during the hot summer months), and they think some of us are crazy for spending more money on synthetics.
Cheap and works great.....
__________________ "Magna Res Est Vocis Et Silentii Temper Amentum"
(The Great Thing Is To Know When To Speak, And When To Keep Silent)
And By The Way; I'm Not Your "Bro"..
Last edited by OldFenderGuy; 06-23-2009 at 11:13 AM.
