Andy,

Don pointed me at that thread and I don't think it's relevant to this oil thread and the reason the claim was denied was always stated as abuse.  I know the dealer ruled that out but it seems Victory didn't.

Clutches are a touchy subject for manufacturers.  If you read the warranty and especially the extended insurance policies you'll see clutches lopped in with brake pads and spark plugs as wear items that aren't covered.  However, defective wear items fall under different sections and should be covered unless there are obvious signs of abuse or damage.

I'm not sure where this thread is going (or where it's been for that matter) but if you search long and hard you'll find literally thousands of "what oil" threads on motorsports forums but I challenge you to find 10 threads where a modern oil (anything with an API rating of SAE SG or higher) has been proven to be the cause of an engine failure in a production motor (All bets are off for race motors)!  The reality is you can run almost anything in a modern motor and as long as you change it regularly and use a good filter you aren't going to damage your motor.

The wet clutch, OTOH is a completely different animal.  Wet clutches are very sensitive to oil additive packages so you can quickly destroy a clutch with the wrong oil.  Usually it becomes saturated with the additive package (friction modifiers) and cannot produce enough friction to perform.  That can lead to burnt plates and pretty much mean you're getting into the motor.

It's the wet clutch and the shared transmission that makes a motorcycle different from a car, truck or lawn mower.  For those reasons using anything other than an oil formulated for motorcycle use if foolish IMHO.  Using a motorsports private brand of oil is rarely a problem and for most people absolutely the best thing to do for both performance and piece of mind. 

Regardless how many threads get posted you're always going to get the people who insist they are being ripped off, that motorcycle specific oil is a grand conspiracy and they insist the white or blue jug of whatever oil is on sale at Wally World is the best thing since sliced bread and they are somehow getting over on "the man" by using the $19 / gallon oil along with $1.65 oil filters.  I just shake my head and walk away (virtually, of course).  I'm simply not interested in trying to save everyone from themselves.

Oh, and if you think it's bad here just log onto some Goldwing and BMW forums!

Oh, and to answer the original post.  I'm using Vic oil for now but may change to Mobil 1 Racing 4T on my next change. 

I've used proper application specific Mobil 1 in race cars, race boats, race bikes, street cars, pleasure boats, street bikes and even generators for well over a decade and have have wonderful results.  Since they replaced the US domestic 10W-40 MC oil 2 years ago with the European blended Racing 4T that has become my favorite oil.  My second favorite is Brad Penn Oil.

Just remember, even though we have V-Twin's the V-Twin oils you see out there are blended specifically for Harley TC engines.  The Freedom engine is a modern, OHC motor that more closely resembles a modern water cooled motorcycle engine than the pushrod 45 degree Harley V-Twin.  IMHO 10W-40 JASO MA/MA2 oils are the proper blend for our engines.

In the slim chance that an engine or component inside a "Oil" area of the engine fails, i highly doubt the dealer will take a sample of the oil and send it to a lab to check the viscosity. so i doubt if you are using a multi grade oil, ie: 20-50 rather than a 20-40 it will be determined as the actual cause of the failure. In almost every case i have ever heard of it is labeled as an oil starvation culprit in the area in question.

Well, this is really my last comment on this subject....

 

My point was missed, for those of you who got it, thanks for the open mind...

So it's settled then. VICTORY OIL is simply the best choice for a VICTORY Engine.

 

Whew! Glad that's over.

 

Shawn

 

mjw930 wrote: Oh, and to answer the original post.  I'm using Vic oil for now but may change to Mobil 1 Racing 4T on my next change.  I've used proper application specific Mobil 1 in race cars, race boats, race bikes, street cars, pleasure boats, street bikes and even generators for well over a decade and have have wonderful results.  Since they replaced the US domestic 10W-40 MC oil 2 years ago with the European blended Racing 4T that has become my favorite oil.  My second favorite is Brad Penn Oil. Just remember, even though we have V-Twin's the V-Twin oils you see out there are blended specifically for Harley TC engines.  The Freedom engine is a modern, OHC motor that more closely resembles a modern water cooled motorcycle engine than the pushrod 45 degree Harley V-Twin.  IMHO 10W-40 JASO MA/MA2 oils are the proper blend for our engines.

advntrus wrote: So it's settled then. VICTORY OIL is simply the best choice for a VICTORY Engine.   Whew! Glad that's over.   Shawn

Oh come on guys, can you give it a rest,

So we can start another one. LOL

Here's my take on Victory oil or HD, Honda, Yamaha or anybody's bike or auto. First of all none of these listed have a refinery or even own anoil company for that matter so it's not really their oil only the label theyhave supplied to slap on a container by the refiner who has given them thelowest price. I really don't think Victory or anybody else pays "extra''to have the best oil only the minimum requirements in this cost cutting worldwhere margins are small and profit is the name of the game.

GUYS,GUYS, GUYS,!!!!! Cmon allready, Its time to wake up an smell the coffee.

 

General Mills Corp. has spent millions of $$$$ on research, and its NOW a proven FACT!!!!, there is NO oil better than CRISCO or MAZOLA, PERIOD!!!!!, end of story,

 

Now we can rezoom our peaceful/mellow conversations about soft topics such as religion & politics , and other "Deep-Thoughts", AAAAAHHHHH

 

by jack Handley

Biscuit wrote: Here's my take on Victory oil or HD, Honda, Yamaha or anybody's bike or auto. First of all none of these listed have a refinery or even own anoil company for that matter so it's not really their oil only the label theyhave supplied to slap on a container by the refiner who has given them thelowest price. I really don't think Victory or anybody else pays "extra''to have the best oil only the minimum requirements in this cost cutting worldwhere margins are small and profit is the name of the game.

 

Okay, I LIED, that was not my last comment on this thread :-)

 

Biscuit,

 

If you think all oil is the same, PLEASE keep it to yourself.  The refiners might be the same but the additives are different.  All oil is blended for a different application, the blend has to be correct to your application.  Yamaha's oil might be different between air cooled and liquid cooled.  There are allot of variables.

 

As far as cost, Vic oil cost less then Amsoil.  Is Vic better then Amsoil?  Who knows.  Is Amsoil better then Vic?  Who knows... 

 

Crap what the F do I know, I just graduated from San Deigo State University with a Masters in Chemical Physics....  Let the electricians help with oil decisions....

dsjr
I agree.  The Vic is cheaper.  I still want to try the Amsoil, for the sake of
what it sounds like, or, more hopefully, what it 'doesn't' sound like. 
I've always thought the mechanical noise was too loud.  I'm hoping the
Amsoil is somewhat of a fix for what I call an annoyance or nuisance.

I also agree about the testing.  They're always subject to scrutiny. 
But I still want to 'hear' how this oil effects the mechanical symphony
the vic has going on. 

I also believe in buying the right oil for the right purpose, and wouldn't
consider putting anything other than vtwin made syn or semisyn oil product,
even if I didn't care about the bike. 

By the way, I easily could've saved $20-30 on this change if I had got the
vic oil change kit off ebay.  Total cost would've been about 64.00 for the oil,
filter and replacement drain plug washer with shipping to my door.  Instead, I got
the Amsoil, a K&N oil filter, no new washer yet.  I also picked up a set of the bosch plat+2 plugs, and some dot 4 fluid.  I'm hoping to service the thing once and be done with it for the season.

I've also got some other things to my bike to get ready.  I'm workin' on it.

dsjr70 wrote: Biscuit wrote: Here's my take on Victory oil or HD, Honda, Yamaha or anybody's bike or auto. First of all none of these listed have a refinery or even own anoil company for that matter so it's not really their oil only the label theyhave supplied to slap on a container by the refiner who has given them thelowest price. I really don't think Victory or anybody else pays "extra''to have the best oil only the minimum requirements in this cost cutting worldwhere margins are small and profit is the name of the game.   Okay, I LIED, that was not my last comment on this thread :-)   Biscuit,   If you think all oil is the same, PLEASE keep it to yourself.  The refiners might be the same but the additives are different.  All oil is blended for a different application, the blend has to be correct to your application.  Yamaha's oil might be different between air cooled and liquid cooled.  There are allot of variables.   As far as cost, Vic oil cost less then Amsoil.  Is Vic better then Amsoil?  Who knows.  Is Amsoil better then Vic?  Who knows...    Crap what the F do I know, I just graduated from San Deigo State University with a Masters in Chemical Physics....  Let the electricians help with oil decisions....

 

  What's chemical Physics got to with anything. We're talking about OIL here, not jumping jacks!

 

DUH!

Shawn

 

OK might as well give my 2 pennys worth here.  Went to the local vic dealer to get oil as it was time for a change. They quit carrying vid oil because of cost. Sold me Castrol Actevo X-tra4t oil. So I change. But since my oil change cold,rain and snow have kept me from riding. Don't know if this oil is any good but if a vic dealer sell it, it has to be good.

devil wrote: OK might as well give my 2 pennys worth here.  Went to the local vic dealer to get oil as it was time for a change. They quit carrying vid oil because of cost. Sold me Castrol Actevo X-tra4t oil. So I change. But since my oil change cold,rain and snow have kept me from riding. Don't know if this oil is any good but if a vic dealer sell it, it has to be good.

 

Good?.....Or just cheaper and more profitable?

 

Shawn

 

advntrus wrote: devil wrote: OK might as well give my 2 pennys worth here.  Went to the local vic dealer to get oil as it was time for a change. They quit carrying vid oil because of cost. Sold me Castrol Actevo X-tra4t oil. So I change. But since my oil change cold,rain and snow have kept me from riding. Don't know if this oil is any good but if a vic dealer sell it, it has to be good.   Good?.....Or just cheaper and more profitable?   Shawn

 

Either way, you call it. Anyway when it is time for a changa again I'm going back to vic oil.

Castrol Act>evo X-TRA Offroad 4T

with Trizone Technology is a premium

quality part synthetic 4-stroke

engine oil.

 

 

 

It is suitable for all makes of 4-stroke

Japanese and North American ATV and

dirt bike engines running on leaded or

unleaded gasoline.

Other features and benefits:

• Available in SAE 10W-40 and

SAE 20W-50 grades

• Exceeds API SG, JASO MA2

• Specifically formulated for ATVs and offroad dirt bikes

• Specially formulated “Heat Protection Molecules” work to protect your bike’s engine

against build-up of harmful high temperature deposits, keeping pistons and oil ways clean, even during the hard-ships of extreme offroad riding.

• Excellent oil consumption control

 

Jimmy, Think with Your Dip-Stick

SmattaHead wrote: dsjr I agree.  The Vic is cheaper.  I still want to try the Amsoil, for the sake of what it sounds like, or, more hopefully, what it 'doesn't' sound like.  I've always thought the mechanical noise was too loud.  I'm hoping the Amsoil is somewhat of a fix for what I call an annoyance or nuisance. I also agree about the testing.  They're always subject to scrutiny.  But I still want to 'hear' how this oil effects the mechanical symphony the vic has going on.  I also believe in buying the right oil for the right purpose, and wouldn't consider putting anything other than vtwin made syn or semisyn oil product, even if I didn't care about the bike.  By the way, I easily could've saved $20-30 on this change if I had got the vic oil change kit off ebay.  Total cost would've been about 64.00 for the oil, filter and replacement drain plug washer with shipping to my door.  Instead, I got the Amsoil, a K&N oil filter, no new washer yet.  I also picked up a set of the bosch plat+2 plugs, and some dot 4 fluid.  I'm hoping to service the thing once and be done with it for the season. I've also got some other things to my bike to get ready.  I'm workin' on it.

FYI, there have been verified reports of Amsoil causing clutch slippage when used in Victory motors.  As I recall it was reported by Vision and Kingpin owners.  Search here or on the VMC and you'll see what was reported.

I'm not saying you will have a problem and it makes no sense considering Amsiol works in millions of other bikes with wet clutches.  I'm just reporting what I saw.

OneThumb wrote: Castrol Act>evo X-TRA Offroad 4T with Trizone Technology is a premium quality part synthetic 4-stroke engine oil.     It is suitable for all makes of 4-stroke Japanese and North American ATV and dirt bike engines running on leaded or unleaded gasoline. Other features and benefits: • Available in SAE 10W-40 and SAE 20W-50 grades • Exceeds API SG, JASO MA2 • Specifically formulated for ATVs and offroad dirt bikes • Specially formulated “Heat Protection Molecules” work to protect your bike’s engine against build-up of harmful high temperature deposits, keeping pistons and oil ways clean, even during the hard-ships of extreme offroad riding. • Excellent oil consumption control

Actually, they have 3 version of that oil as well as a V-Twin specific in 20W-40!

Castrol Power RS V–Twin — Get the Best Performance from Your Bike

Castrol Power RS V–Twin 4T is an advanced premium quality syntheticblend 4–stroke engine oil designed for modern V–Twin engines. Its powerprotection formula is specially designed to protect your V–twin'sengine from the build up of (heat derived) power robbing deposits,enabling you to get the best performance from your bike. Application:

• Castrol Power RS V–Twin is suitable for all makes of Japanese andNorth American 4–stroke motorcycles with integral or separatetransmissions running on leaded or unleaded gasoline

Castrol Act>Evo X–Tra — X–tra Protection for Your Engine

Castrol Act>evo X–tra 4T with Trizone Technology is a premiumquality part synthetic 4–stroke engine oil. It is specially formulatedto protect your bike's engine against the build up of harmful depositseven when you work your bike hard — on the open road or in dense citytraffic.

advntrus wrote:       What's chemical Physics got to with anything. We're talking about OIL here, not jumping jacks!   DUH! Shawn

OneThumb wrote: Oh come on guys, can you give it a rest, So we can start another one. LOL

I love these oil threads!

amsoil 10w40 motorcycle oil really makes my shifting very smooth and quiet. i tried the victory oil change kit and as soon as 1000-1500 miles my trany was clunky and felt like something was wrong. so i bought amsoil again (against my wallets decision) and i was shocked how much of a difference an oil can make in shifting.. So now im forced to use amsoil if i want my visions trany to operate the way it does now..

At the risk of opening another can of worms and throw this thread completely under the bus i will bring up another thought. 

SmattaHead wrote: dsjr I agree.  The Vic is cheaper.  I still want to try the Amsoil, for the sake of what it sounds like, or, more hopefully, what it 'doesn't' sound like...

Putting aside whether it is or isn't advisable to use Amsoil - according to their site, they recommend 5000 mile oil change intervals based on the supposed quality of the product.  If that's the case, Amsoil is actually cheaper than Victory oil by a good margin.  Their oil has (according to them and the pdf comparative test results) passed the highest JASO standards for wet clutch use and was directly compared to Victory's oil in multiple categories.  In other words, Amsoil meets or exceeds all the requirements specifically set forth by Victory.    

I don't sell or recommend Amsoil or have any other connection with them - these are just points to consider in making your own decision.