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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I changed my oil prior to what turned out to be a 6,500 mile road trip and for the first time used 20w50 AMSOIL Motorcycle oil. I typically use the 10w40 but since I would be in continious upper 90 to 100+ degree weather I thought it was the wiser thing to do. Imediately I notice that it has a much quieter sound to it and will use it for now on in the summer months. With about 71,000 on the clock I figure things are getting a little worn and this might help a little also. My plan is to get to my destination, about 2,800 miles away and then change the filter and top off the oil. Well, that never happened, and it always seemed to be in the too hard to do category, or I didn't have enough time. I was on a work trip and not vacation, so there was little buffer time. Also, I've ran Victory oil up to the 6,000 mile mark and though the engine chattered it quieted right down after an oil change.
On my return home the last 200 miles or so the engine developed a tick/knock sound, but being just after midnight and so close to home, I was going to ride it until she blew. So I make it home around 3:30 in the morning, and have to go to work in the afternoon. I fire the gal up to ride just another 60 miles, but it is not sounding good.
It takes the rest of the week before I can get to change the oil, which was today. Feeling a little concern I began to wonder if I had really done it this time. Then a thought occurred to me, maybe this was the first time I should have checked the oil because it may be low. I do not normally check my oil between changes because the Vic motor is so sensitive to me about the oil that it will let me know if it needs oil. So I start the bike and it has the tick/knock, not so much as it did the other day, but it is there. I let it run a few minutes and shut it off and wait to check the oil. I am relieved, there the oil was just above the little add mark. I would have guessed so since the entire ride was a full bore with the exception of maybe a few miles around my destination.
After changing the oil, using 20w50 AMSOIL Motorcycle oil it quieted right down and it is back to its old self again. At 77,600 this motor is still running strong. 
Edited by varyder 2010-07-16 6:42 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | That's good to know.................... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 125
Kerrville Texas ( now a homeowner on six acres) | VARYDER,
It is good to hear your stories about how well the VIC motors run! I anly have 32,600 on my 08 vision and it just seems to run better all the time.
I envy you getting to ride all the time. I am retired and the Passenger on my ride seems to have toooo many things to do to ride as much as I would like.
Keep up the good work and keep sharing your stories here. They are verry informative!!
Also, I am glad your encounter with the barrel was not more serious.
Smadge |
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Cruiser
Posts: 260
| +1 on the 20 - 50 Amsoil!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 492
Indianapolis, IN | Not to analyse oils, but I agree that in the really hot weather the 20/50 has a little more to offer. The 20/40 seems to get as thin as water when the temps are at the top of the scale. Just my logic coming out here.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 189
Baltimore, Md | I briefly switched to Amsoil last year and generally liked the way the engine sounded and shifted. However, about 1000 miles in, I started getting clutch slippage. It became pretty pronounced and I was worried that it might become permanent damage, so I changed back to Vic oil. After about 150 miles, the slippage cleared up so I really do believe it was the Amsoil. I have since changed to the Castrol semi-synth and all is well, but I am back to the 2500 mile changes. I have read many reports of people successfully using Amsoil in Visions and also others that had some clutch problems like me. I'm not sure why it runs fine in some and not others, but I am concerned enough that I will stay with the Castrol or Vic for now. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 619
Southeast Iowa | +2 on 20/50 Amsoil. Good stuff ..............never slipped a Vic clutch in over 60,000 miles of use. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | smadge - 2010-07-16 10:33 PM
VARYDER,
It is good to hear your stories about how well the VIC motors run! I anly have 32,600 on my 08 vision and it just seems to run better all the time.
I envy you getting to ride all the time. I am retired and the Passenger on my ride seems to have toooo many things to do to ride as much as I would like.
Keep up the good work and keep sharing your stories here. They are verry informative!!
Also, I am glad your encounter with the barrel was not more serious.
Smadge
Thanks. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Big Vic - 2010-07-17 3:11 PM
+2 on 20/50 Amsoil. Good stuff ..............never slipped a Vic clutch in over 60,000 miles of use.
...that's coming from a celebrity! Great pics and bio of you and the Mrs! |
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6,500 mile oil change