The oil thread goes on.

I like these in a way because it really makes a person sit back and wonder. I take the credibility of any wrench in the business for any length of time, and I take the credibility of time. There has only ever in my life time that I've headed the words on not using a particular product; one is slick50 and two, the old parafin based quakerstate. My dad had trouble when he was using slick50 in his pickup truck and in his rig, and I know first hand the trouble parafin quakerstate oil caused when switching to a detergent based oil.

Never in my life have I come first hand to a person that has used AMSOIL for the application, this case motorcycles or any other motorcycle type oil that had a failure. In fact, as we can see here, many folk say they have used X-brand, Amsoil, Vic, Tech, etc, with no problems. Now, I wouldn't go to QuickyStop and get QuickyStop motorcycle oil for my bike, but I would use any reputable oil off the self made for a motorcycle if I was in a pinch. Deciding to use AMSOIL took a little time to give into as I know and frequenty associate with some jobbers. I've read, took a long hard thought to it and said, Ok. When I first got the bike, I said, no thank you. After talking with my dealer and tech they told me they had plenty of customers that use AMSOIL and have not known any to have a problem using it. They gave the humma, humma about Vic oil was made for it and if something went wrong, Polaris might hassle me over the use of AMSOIL but it was an acceptable oil to use.

So, in the big scheme of things, and in respect to everyone here, the jury is still way out on this one. If Kevin was my regular wrench I would heed to his very words and never put another drop of AMSOIL in there. I think there are forces at work that the full story is not revealed when a failure occurs. It is an all too familiar story when something breaks due to human fault, the first reaction is "I didn't do anything to cause this, it must be the fault of what I was using." That is to itself human nature, "not my fault..."

The bottom line, in things mechnical anything can be a cause of another, and things like oils can compound the issue as well. We also can do something that can cause X problem by using something, even unintential or expecting good results that didn't pan out. So on the reputation, I believe what a tech would say, Kevin since you are speaking up, I know that what you say is based off the facts of your experience, no doubting there. You even give way to acknowledging that Barnett clutch says that any JASO oil is acceptable, and that you do not know why one fails and another doesn't, citing driving habits.

When looking at it from whole view point, I find no real evidence that a full synthetic motorcycle oil from a reputable brand name will harm our vics. Now, if you are racer, ect, perhaps a different application is required, to include a better clutch material. So there are other dynamics that have to be applied and all has to be considered when making assesments. I feel I ride aggressive, but to what? You and I Kevin, may ride together one day, and I hope you'll do my cams when I'm ready, but when we ride you might think I ride sissy. So, in that, AMSOIL would work fine for me the life of the bike and for you, could cause early clutch failure, and both be documented. Vic oil may be superior in that application and can be respected

The above can be found with any simple search for SAE standards. I had to post the above paragraph so people would quit typing "W40"  There is no such thing.  We have "Multi-Grade" oils to handle broad riding ranges.  When the oil hits that 210 degree F range, it starts to act like a thicker oil.  I run the 20W-40 Vic oil only cause i work at the dealership and i change oil every 2,500 miles.  If i was going to try and extend my oil changes, then i would probably use some other type of quality 20W-50 oil like i have in my previous bikes.  Resisting wear and proper lubrication for fuel economy and proper transfer of heat is what the mfg is going for.  Thicker oils dont transfer heat as readily but will keep things quiet.  This is the reason on vehicles with seperate transmissions you will find SAE 85 and SAE 90 oils used.  They resist shearing due to the high pressure betweent he gear teeth and help reduce gear noise.  I know everyone will run the oil they feel comfortable with.  I usually run the OEM spec stuff tilll i am comfortable with the vehicle and then i may start to experiment.  I know the dealer i work for will and can order Amsoil if the customer wants it.  I have also changed Visions and other Vics over to Amsoil and there is no problem i have run across so far in the last 1 1/2 years.

the mainstay of motorcycle forums, oil threads....

let's pull the plug and let this one drain out....

grunt, plob, glug, glug, glug, glug.... maaaannnn where's my plug.....?