THE BEST SYNTHETIC 20W50

 "Harley Davidson" vs SAE 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil (MCV)

Why is Amsoil THE BEST SYNTHETIC 20W50 MOTORCYCLE OIL? The fact is that Harley Davidson, like so many other "brands" of oil, contract with one or more oil companies to make their lubricants. Often, the decision as to who actually makes a private labeled product is based on low bid, and like almost everything manufactured by a low bidder, short cuts are taken in order to meet the low price.

One of the most common questions we are asked is what is the recommended transmission lube for Harley-Davidson, both big twins and Sportsters?

The answer is for 883cc and 1200cc Sportster motorcycles, the AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is recommended for both the engine and transmission. On 1340cc and 1450cc models, the 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is recommended for the engine crankcase, Series 2000 75W-90 Gear Lube for the transmission and the 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil for the chaincase.

Knucklehead   Best  Secondary
  Engine  MCS    MCV
  Transmission MCS   SVO

Panhead   Best   Secondary
  Engine  MCS     MCV 
  Transmission  MCS    SVO

Shovelhead   Best  Secondary
  Engine  MCS     MCV
  Transmission MCS  SVO

Evolution 1340 -Twin Cam - Revolution  Best   Secondary
  Engine  MCV  -- --
  Transmission MCV   SVT
  Primary Chain Case  MCV   MCF

Ironhead - Evolution Sportsters / V-Rods  Best  Secondary
  Engine, Transmission / Chain Case  MCV  - - - -

 
SAE 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV)
High Performance Lubricant for Engines, Transmissions and Primary Chaincases

API SG, SL/CF; JASO MA/MA2; API GL-1

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil (MCV) is a premium oil designed for those who demand the absolute best lubrication for their motorcycles. AMSOIL MCV is the result of extensive research, and it is specially formulated to excel in all areas unique to motorcycles, including high temperatures of air-cooled engines such as Harley Davidson® V-Twin, wet clutch lubrication, extreme pressure regions of gears and chains and rust common to short trips and storage.
 
AMSOIL SYNTHETIC 20W50 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE OIL is multi-functional and fulfills the requirements of both domestic and foreign motorcycles. It outperforms other conventional and synthetic motorcycle oils.
 
AMSOIL, the leader in synthetic lubrication, produced the world’s first API qualified synthetic motor oil in 1972. Trust the extensive experience of AMSOIL The First in Synthetics® to do the best job protecting your motorcycle.

Reduces Friction, Heat and Wear
In high heat conditions, engine protection is not sacrificed with AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil. It has the best high temperature film strength (see High Temperature Viscosity Protection graph below) of all oils tested and contains a heavy treatment of anti-wear additives to reduce wear regardless of the operating conditions (see Wear Comparison graph on reverse). AMSOIL MCV is thermally (heat) stable and contains maximum levels of oxidation inhibitor additives. It is extremely resistant to breakdown and engineered to prevent damaging sludge and carbon deposits for superior engine cleanliness.

20W-50 Motorcycle Oil
High Temperature Viscosity Protection
Higher values reflect better film strength
ASTM Test Method D-4683 March 16, 2005

 
 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil
Wear Comparison
ASTM Test Method D-4172 March 16, 2005

Provides Extreme Pressure Quality Protection for Gears and Chains
With AMSOIL SYNTHETIC 20W50 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE OIL , there is no need for separate transmission or primary chaincase lubricants. It is absolutely shear stable and will not thin out from mechanical activity. AMSOIL MCV performs like a gear lube without the negative effects of extreme pressure additives. In the FZG gear test, AMSOIL MCV achieved a perfect score with a “zero” wear rating (see photo below).
 
FZG Gear Test (ASTM D-5182)
AMSOIL 20W-50 (MCV)
 
 
FZG Gear Test (ASTM D-5182)
Motul 300V 15W-50

Delivers Superior Rust Protection
Motorcycles are prone to rust from storage, humidity and short drives. Rust can cause major damage such as roller bearing failure, uncontrolled wear, compression loss and blow-by. Good rust protection, however, comes by design and is not natural to engine oils. Unlike many motorcycle oils, AMSOIL MCV contains special anti-rust agents. It passes the ASTM D-1748 humidity cabinet rust test and clearly demonstrates superior rust protection (see photos below).

Rust Test ASTM D-1748AMSOIL 20W-50 (MCV)
 

Rust Test ASTM D-1748
Castrol GPS 20W-50


 

Provides Excellent Wet Clutch Performance
AMSOIL SYNTHETIC 20W50 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE OIL  MCV contains no friction modifiers and promotes smooth shifting and positive clutch engagement. AMSOIL MCV controls heat and prevents slippage and glazing, and its high TBN resists acids that can degrade clutch material, helping improve clutch life.
 
APPLICATIONS
AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is recommended for air or liquid cooled 4-stroke engines. It meets SAE 90, API GL-1 gear oil requirements and is recommended for transmissions and primary chaincases. AMSOIL MCV is recommended for Harley Davidson®, Buell®, KTM, Ducati®, Aprilia®, BMW®, Triumph® and other motorcycles where 15W-50 or 20W-50 engine oils or SAE 90, GL-1 gear oils are used. Not recommended where an API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil is required.

MIXING AMSOIL
AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is compatible with conventional and synthetic motor oils; however, mixing oils may shorten the oil life expectancy and reduce the performance benefits. AMSOIL does not support extended drain intervals where oils have been mixed.
Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with AMSOIL motorcycle oil.

SERVICE LIFE
Recommended for use up to twice the motorcycle manufacturer change interval (miles/hours) or one year, whichever comes first, in engines, transmissions and primary chaincases. For Big Twin Harley-Davidson transmissions only, follow the Harley-Davidson recommended drain interval for synthetic oil of up to 20,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first. When using an engine filter other than AMSOIL Ea, change the filter at standard intervals.
For “off-road” use, change AMSOIL MCV at motorcycle manufacturer intervals.
Racing or modified engines are excluded from extended drain interval recommendations. Oil changes are at the owner’s discretion.


TYPICAL TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
SAE 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (MCV)

Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt (ASTM D-445) 20.1
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40°C, cSt (ASTM D-445) 151.98
Viscosity Index (ASTM D-2270) 153
Pour Point °C (°F) (ASTM D-97) -39 (-38)
Flash Point °C (°F) (ASTM D-92) 240 (464)
High Temperature/High Shear Viscosity @ 150°C , 1.0 x 106 s-1 (ASTM D 4683), cP 6.02
Four Ball Wear Test (ASTM D-4172 @ 40 kgf, 150°C, 1800 rpm, 1 hour), Scar in mm 0.40
FZG (ASTM D-5182), Load Stage Pass (Wear in mm) 13 (0mm)
Noack Volatility, % weight loss (g/100g) (ASTM D-5800) 3.89
Foam (ASTM D-892, Sequence I, II & III) 0/0/0
Shear Stability Kurt Orbahn (ASTM D-6278), % viscosity change 120 cycles 0.25
Rust Test - Humidity Cabinet (ASTM D-1748) No Rust, Pass
Total Base Number 11