Racing 20/50 VS MC 20/50 : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

nmaineron · 08-10-2009, 03:57 PM

I have a hard time getting my oil.I was in the local NAPA today which pushes the Lucas brand pretty hard and they had a racing auto oil in 20/50 grade as well as the MC 20/50.Other than the price,the auto being 3 bucks cheaper,what would be the difference between the two.I noticed that the auto had the SF,CF? designation where the MC had a JATO and a few other designations added to it.Any info here?

doc ock · 08-10-2009, 07:54 PM

http://www.lucasoil.com/images/media...0_MotorOil.pdf
http://www.lucasoil.com/images/media...rcycle_Oil.pdf If these are your only 2 choices I would run the less expensive auto oil.

Milehog · 08-10-2009, 08:08 PM

Racing oil is engineered for, get this, racing.
The needs of a street vehicle are different and the additive packages reflect this.
Don't let some NAPA sales pitch lock you into a certain brand.
I'd run diesel spec oil in my street driven bike before racing oil.

03GLIDE_ · 08-10-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milehog

Racing oil is engineered for, get this, racing.
The needs of a street vehicle are different and the additive packages reflect this.
Don't let some NAPA sales pitch lock you into a certain brand.
I'd run diesel spec oil in my street driven bike before racing oil.

Most racing oils these days have all the right additives for street driven vehicles. They cover high temps and such in the additive packages.

Milehog · 08-11-2009, 12:21 AM

So the racing label is becoming a marketing tool? Wouldn't put it past some of 'em.
Still, I prefer lubricants designed for my uses.
Make sure the "racing" oil has an acceptable anti corrosion package along with the rest needed for the street.

03GLIDE_ · 08-11-2009, 12:31 AM

Yeah I have checked a few of the so called racing oils only to find they met all my needs. I think you are right on target as it being a marketing tool. Kinda like Mobil 1 15/50 and 20/50 V-twin. If you check the actual oil analysis reports they are real close.

Gary7 · 08-11-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milehog

So the racing label is becoming a marketing tool? Wouldn't put it past some of 'em.
Still, I prefer lubricants designed for my uses.
Make sure the "racing" oil has an acceptable anti corrosion package along with the rest needed for the street.

A true racing oil will generally not carry any API certifications and will have specific warnings on the container that the oil should not be used for street driven vehicles. These oils typically have a high dose of AW and EP additives, tons of dispersants, but almost no detergents. Thus they are tailored for relatively short intervals in the crankcase versus street driven cars where the oil is in the engine for months on end and sees driving conditions (cold starts, cold runs, etc.) that require detergents to prevent deposit build up.

Valvoline has a line of "track only" racing oil, but they also market a racing oil (VR1) that does carry API certification and can be used on the street. Both are excellent racing oils and I would not hesitate to use VR1 20w50 in my Harley over Valvoline's motorcycle oil.

doc ock · 08-12-2009, 08:51 AM

Think being a marketing tool is right. I talked to George about Amsoil 15W-50 racing oil he advised me not to use it because it is made for track use not street. On another note the Valvoline VR1 "racing oil" has a additive package.

george douglas · 08-12-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc ock

Think being a marketing tool is right. I talked to George about Amsoil 15W-50 racing oil he advised me not to use it because it is made for track use not street. On another note the Valvoline VR1 "racing oil" has a additive package.

You are correct that Amsoil does not recommend it for the street, but I have several folks using it on the street and the oil analysis is coming back in great shape. I also have a Harley engine builder that is recommending it to all his high performance customers after he got HP gains on his dyno using it. I have one oil report from one of his customers after 3,000 miles on it and it came back in great shape. So I guess it is buyer beware when an oil does not have the proper API ratings for the application. In racing everyone is on their own anyway so no big deal.
george

Gary7 · 08-12-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc ock

Think being a marketing tool is right. I talked to George about Amsoil 15W-50 racing oil he advised me not to use it because it is made for track use not street. On another note the Valvoline VR1 "racing oil" has a additive package.

Well, even a track use only racing oil is going to have an additive package. The issue is whether the additive package is tailored for track use, street use, or both. VR1 has an additive package that is tailored for both.

fxstdave · 08-12-2009, 01:21 PM

I run the "not street legal" Valvoline race oil. The difference is it lacks certain additives, that if used on the street would damage a cat. converter. Seeing that Harleys dont have them (yet) no harm.

Gary7 · 08-12-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fxstdave

I run the "not street legal" Valvoline race oil. The difference is it lacks certain additives, that if used on the street would damage a cat. converter. Seeing that Harleys dont have them (yet) no harm.

It may be more to it than that. If it's a true track-only oil it may not have the detergent level you need to keep the engine clean over the course of a typical drain interval.