Another Plug for Lucas Oi...

[AdrianR]

As many of you know, I've been a big Lucas Oil advocate.  I tried all of the popular ones with my 14' Valkyrie... Mobil 4T, Castrol 4T, Valvoline, Amsoil, and then Lucas Oil.  I found the Lucas Oil was simply the best...  motor ran quieter, quicker, and by far the best shifting.

Well I used the same Lucas Oil in my Warrior...but the 20w/50 version for air cooled twins.  Worked great... This year I saw Castrol 4T on sale....thought I would try it in the Warrior as it was due for a change... NOPE...mistake...  Not as good...  right away the motor was louder (valve train) and it didn't shift as well.

Now I have to switch it out.  Ugh.

So if you guys haven't tried it you should!  They make a full synth 10w/30...great stuff. O'Reilly now has it on sale...ugh again...

[KUGO]

Thanks for helping the rest of us avoid the same mistakes. Sometimes I think bikes' (of all different kinds) transmissions are more picky about their oil than the engines themselves. I'd heard good reports on Rotella synthetic (for our Valks) and was thinking of trying it next. Have you tried it? Have you tried Honda's synthetic, and if so, how it compares based on your above report? Thanks!

[AdrianR]

Thanks for helping the rest of us avoid the same mistakes. Sometimes I think bikes' (of all different kinds) transmissions are more picky about their oil than the engines themselves. I'd heard good reports on Rotella synthetic (for our Valks) and was thinking of trying it next. Have you tried it? Have you tried Honda's synthetic, and if so, how it compares based on your above report? Thanks!

Yes, I forgot to report that I tried Honda's full synthetic oil as well.  L-oil still outperformed it noticeably. The point I am trying to make is that even in my other bike (Yamaha Warrior 1700) the L-oil 20w50 outperformed Castrol 4T 20w50; so I am seeing some consistency.

[JimmyG]

I agree with Lucas oil being great. I started using it two oil changes ago, and really do like it. I previously  used Mobile 1, and liked it fine. Tried Rotella,  it's ok, but then tried the Lucas, and as reported in earlier posts, this oil is loved by my 99 Valk. Quieter, smoother all the way around. My bike was just smoother shifting and running. I noticed!!

[PAVALKER]

Have you tried and compared Shell Rotella T6?

[AdrianR]

I agree with Lucas oil being great. I started using it two oil changes ago, and really do like it. I previously  used Mobile 1, and liked it fine. Tried Rotella,  it's ok, but then tried the Lucas, and as reported in earlier posts, this oil is loved by my 99 Valk. Quieter, smoother all the way around. My bike was just smoother shifting and running. I noticed!!

Cool!  I've never tried Rotella yet..    probably will not, will only use oil designated for 'wet clutched motorcycles'.

[PAVALKER]

I agree with Lucas oil being great. I started using it two oil changes ago, and really do like it. I previously  used Mobile 1, and liked it fine. Tried Rotella,  it's ok, but then tried the Lucas, and as reported in earlier posts, this oil is loved by my 99 Valk. Quieter, smoother all the way around. My bike was just smoother shifting and running. I noticed!!

Cool!  I've never tried Rotella yet..    probably will not, will only use oil designated for 'wet clutched motorcycles'.

It is approved for wet clutch motorcycles....

[AdrianR]

I agree with Lucas oil being great. I started using it two oil changes ago, and really do like it. I previously  used Mobile 1, and liked it fine. Tried Rotella,  it's ok, but then tried the Lucas, and as reported in earlier posts, this oil is loved by my 99 Valk. Quieter, smoother all the way around. My bike was just smoother shifting and running. I noticed!!

Cool!  I've never tried Rotella yet..    probably will not, will only use oil designated for 'wet clutched motorcycles'.

It is approved for wet clutch motorcycles....

**I will say this, the Rotella fan club is devoted!  I mean isn't it designed to be used in diesel engines??  Either way, I have tried just about everything...well except Rotella, and the Lucas Oil has neatly outperformed everything...  I think it's cheaper...Rotella that is, not sure about the newest T6 or something 6 you've mentioned... You can get Lucas Oil 10w30 full synth for around $9.00 per quart on average...  I would be curious to hear from someone whom has used both oils and issue their opinion.  For now, I'm pissed I went the Castrol route to save a couple dollars...as it wasn't worth it...I'm not doing it again..

[Motodad71]

I agree with Lucas oil being great. I started using it two oil changes ago, and really do like it. I previously  used Mobile 1, and liked it fine. Tried Rotella,  it's ok, but then tried the Lucas, and as reported in earlier posts, this oil is loved by my 99 Valk. Quieter, smoother all the way around. My bike was just smoother shifting and running. I noticed!!

Cool!  I've never tried Rotella yet..    probably will not, will only use oil designated for 'wet clutched motorcycles'.

It is approved for wet clutch motorcycles....

**I will say this, the Rotella fan club is devoted!  I mean isn't it designed to be used in diesel engines??  Either way, I have tried just about everything...well except Rotella, and the Lucas Oil has neatly outperformed everything...  I think it's cheaper...Rotella that is, not sure about the newest T6 or something 6 you've mentioned... You can get Lucas Oil 10w30 full synth for around $9.00 per quart on average...  I would be curious to hear from someone whom has used both oils and issue their opinion.  For now, I'm pissed I went the Castrol route to save a couple dollars...as it wasn't worth it...I'm not doing it again..

Rotella is bar none the most popular oil used in this engine platform, as in both the 1500 and 1800 Valks and Wings. I have run that stuff in every motorcycle I've ever owned, it really is fabulous oil for motorcycles, many Subaru WRX/Sti owners run it as well. I have yet however to find any oil that shifts and lasts longer IMHO than Mobil1 4T, but otherwise I am running Rotella.

[AdrianR]

I agree with Lucas oil being great. I started using it two oil changes ago, and really do like it. I previously  used Mobile 1, and liked it fine. Tried Rotella,  it's ok, but then tried the Lucas, and as reported in earlier posts, this oil is loved by my 99 Valk. Quieter, smoother all the way around. My bike was just smoother shifting and running. I noticed!!

Cool!  I've never tried Rotella yet..    probably will not, will only use oil designated for 'wet clutched motorcycles'.

It is approved for wet clutch motorcycles....

**I will say this, the Rotella fan club is devoted!  I mean isn't it designed to be used in diesel engines??  Either way, I have tried just about everything...well except Rotella, and the Lucas Oil has neatly outperformed everything...  I think it's cheaper...Rotella that is, not sure about the newest T6 or something 6 you've mentioned... You can get Lucas Oil 10w30 full synth for around $9.00 per quart on average...  I would be curious to hear from someone whom has used both oils and issue their opinion.  For now, I'm pissed I went the Castrol route to save a couple dollars...as it wasn't worth it...I'm not doing it again..

Rotella is bar none the most popular oil used in this engine platform, as in both the 1500 and 1800 Valks and Wings. I have run that stuff in every motorcycle I've ever owned, it really is fabulous oil for motorcycles, many Subaru WRX/Sti owners run it as well. I have yet however to find any oil that shifts and lasts longer IMHO than Mobil1 4T, but otherwise I am running Rotella.

Try the Lucas Oil next....I'd LOVE to get your opinion.  Again, I have tried all motorcycle oils inc. Mobil 4T, Castrol 4T,  Amsoil, Valvoline, Honda, Golden Spectro....and the Lucas Oil outperformed all of them.  Incidently, I felt the Castrol 4T outperformed the Mobil 4T.

[Kokomo Kevin]

I have run 20/50 Lucas Oil in my legacy valk for 20 years and am now using it in a new to me 13 F6B. Best oil to use in my opinion especially here in Hot midwest with temps near 100 degrees.

[AdrianR]

I have run 20/50 Lucas Oil in my legacy valk for 20 years and am now using it in a new to me 13 F6B. Best oil to use in my opinion especially here in Hot midwest with temps near 100 degrees.

Yes, their stuff is so under the radar...yet some of the best..

[98valk]

be careful with lucas products. they have been shown many times through testing not to have the best specs.
http://www.pqiamerica.com/May%202013/lucas.htm
This Lucas Magnum heavy duty diesel oil is labeled as an SAE 15W-40 viscosity grade.  PQIA's test results on this sample, however, show the oil to be a 10W-40.


there was also a test of their gear oil yrs ago, which would foam up with air bubbles. air provides zero lubrication.

[OdentonValkyrie]

I'll probably get flamed for this.....but I'd love to give you guys a blind A-B test and see if you can really tell a difference between oils.  I think you believe there is a difference, but I'm not convinced you are really feeling a difference...I know I couldn't discern a difference.  I will say my motor/trans seems smoother on some days for no reason at all (nothing on the bike has changed) - and I conclude that it's all in my head, not in my crankcase or trans...

[bscrive]

I have tried both the Lucas 10w30 full-synthetic motorcycle oil and the Rotella T6 5w40.  I have to agree with Adrien.  I found that my engine felt better and that acceleration was better.  The engine is quieter with the Lucas oil as well. 

I went back to Rotella this year just because I got it on special at Walmart for $22/gal and we use it as well in my wife's Can Am Spyder.  The Spyder takes 6qts of oil and is very particular in it's oil.  When I looked around in the early spring for Lucas oil, the best price I could find was $11.99/qt.

If I can get it on sale again, then I will definitely switch back to Lucas.  Last year I got it for $6/qt at Summit.

[98valk]

http://wpc.1c96.edgecastcdn.net/001C96/G-Items/Performance%20Testing%20Archives/g2156-2009-archived/index.html


very good oil test.  lucas did very bad in a few areas.   did not stay in grade 20w50 dropped to a 40w.   Failed the gear wear test. Failed the foam test, air provides zero lubrication.

bottom line there are better oils out than lucas to use for complete protection of our engines.

[bscrive]

That's a great comparison, but it was done in 2009.  I wonder what it would be with today's oils.  I am sure great leaps in oil quality have been done in the last decade.

[98valk]

That's a great comparison, but it was done in 2009.  I wonder what it would be with today's oils.  I am sure great leaps in oil quality have been done in the last decade.

I always suggest doing a used oil analysis with any oil whereas a recent UOA cannot be found. Lucas is one of them.  https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
a member on here a fw yrs ago was doing UOA with royal purple, it showed wear as predicted in one of the test comparisons.
I also searched bobistheoilguy.com and very few using it and very few UOAs.

Disclosure, I was an Amsoil dealer for about 15 yrs '80-'90s, I've done UOAs and have read many reports, UOAs and oil designs.  If u search my handle and oil I've posted a lot over the yrs including a UOA of amsoil 10w30HD30 which even blew away how long amsoil said it is good for. although they have changed their recommendations to sell more oil.

[AdrianR]

You know I really don't care about 'white papers' and supposedly 'objective' analysis.....Nazi Germany was created with such tactic.  Although some of if may be true, one can never truly know..

What we do know is personal experience.  This is what I trust.

My personal experience, in which since I have been riding since 1973, is extensive, and Lucas Oil to me, over the past couple of years has been consistently the best running oil.  

I read a post earlier in where some said they couldn't feel a difference, no..sorry, there IS a difference, you'd have to be DEAD not to detect it; especially comparing petroleum based oil to full synthetic.

[Kidd]

You stated it nicely , as I would of - maybe.
All that crap in the parts stores , additives and different kinds of oils and using same weight but different brand oil  and potions and whatever - for your motor, tranny and everything else are purely emotional purchases , they do nothing at all .
Any garage/shop  that tries to sell me any of that junk , I consider them crooks .

I know you want to believe one oil or another makes your vehicle  do something better , , it does not
Still , those that believe they will help, can seldom  be connienced differently.

I'll bet it's a billion $ business

Maybe I am in the wrong business

I'll probably get flamed for this.....but I'd love to give you guys a blind A-B test and see if you can really can a difference between oils.  I think you believe there is a difference, but I'm not convinced you are really feeling a difference...I know I couldn't discern a difference.  I will say my motor/trans seems smoother on some days for no reason at all (nothing on the bike has changed) - and I conclude that it's all in my head, not in my crankcase or trans...

[ridingron]

Never used Lucas oil. I will say the best shifting oil I ever used was Amsoil 20-50.  I live in Florida and ride year 'round. In my ST1100/V4, I have run just about every brand and kind of oil except Lucas. I have used car oil, diesel oil, motorcycle oil, dino oil, syn. oil, etc. It's amazing how nice a bike will run on a fresh oil change or set of tires! It's like a hot tune up! I decided the motor could run on about any thing out there. I change oil when the shifting got notchy or the motor got noisey. Amsoil lasted the longest, 12k-14k miles. Honda said change oil& filter at 8k miles.  I changed the filter at 6-7 for Amsoil. I used a $3-$4 Civic filter. I put over 200k miles on one and about 75k miles on another ST.

There is an O'Reilly's down the street and I'm due for an oil change. Maybe I'll try some Lucas oil.

[OdentonValkyrie]

You know I really don't care about 'white papers' and supposedly 'objective' analysis.....Nazi Germany was created with such tactic.  Although some of if may be true, one can never truly know..

What we do know is personal experience.  This is what I trust.

My personal experience, in which since I have been riding since 1973, is extensive, and Lucas Oil to me, over the past couple of years has been consistently the best running oil.  

I read a post earlier in where some said they couldn't feel a difference, no..sorry, there IS a difference, you'd have to be DEAD not to detect it; especially comparing petroleum based oil to full synthetic.

I must be dead. I guess that's also why I can't feel all that xtra hp that folks claim they get when changing plugs. However I did feel about 10 xtra hp when I changed out the coolant!  

This reminds me of the discussions regarding Monster Cables for audio systems...

[JimmyG]

Nuttin like a little pissing contest to start the day off

[Kidd]

Nuttin like a little pissing contest to start the day off

LOL

Pissing oil

[AdrianR]

You know I really don't care about 'white papers' and supposedly 'objective' analysis.....Nazi Germany was created with such tactic.  Although some of if may be true, one can never truly know..

What we do know is personal experience.  This is what I trust.

My personal experience, in which since I have been riding since 1973, is extensive, and Lucas Oil to me, over the past couple of years has been consistently the best running oil.  

I read a post earlier in where some said they couldn't feel a difference, no..sorry, there IS a difference, you'd have to be DEAD not to detect it; especially comparing petroleum based oil to full synthetic.

I must be dead. I guess that's also why I can't feel all that xtra hp that folks claim they get when changing plugs. However I did feel about 10 xtra hp when I changed out the coolant!  

This reminds me of the discussions regarding Monster Cables for audio systems...

Using the monster cable analogy is absurd, however I will comment.  Line level cables require just quality connectors that don't fail. They require proper shielding to eliminate EM interference. Speaker cables benefit from heavier gauges depending on power and length.  Quality connectors that don't fail is important as well.  There is a performance advantage, but this depends on application. Monster was and is just one of many different companies whom offer an array of different quality products.

Now comparing cables to something as complex as an internal combustion engine and it's coupled transmission is completely different.  They don't even share the same universe complexity wise.

Using specific products in a well researched industry definetly has it's advantages.  It's NOT  all BS like some have mentioned.  Do spark plugs provide 10 extra ponies??  Obviously no.  However, the sum of all little extra things executed like quality plugs, quality synthetic lubricants, fuel conditioners if running fuel with ethanol DOES make difference.  It's not an enormous difference, but it is significant enough to justify it's practice.

[98valk]

You know I really don't care about 'white papers' and supposedly 'objective' analysis.....Nazi Germany was created with such tactic.  Although some of if may be true, one can never truly know..

What we do know is personal experience.  This is what I trust.

My personal experience, in which since I have been riding since 1973, is extensive, and Lucas Oil to me, over the past couple of years has been consistently the best running oil.  

I read a post earlier in where some said they couldn't feel a difference, no..sorry, there IS a difference, you'd have to be DEAD not to detect it; especially comparing petroleum based oil to full synthetic.

I must be dead. I guess that's also why I can't feel all that xtra hp that folks claim they get when changing plugs. However I did feel about 10 xtra hp when I changed out the coolant!  

This reminds me of the discussions regarding Monster Cables for audio systems...

Using the monster cable analogy is absurd, however I will comment.  Line level cables require just quality connectors that don't fail. They require proper shielding to eliminate EM interference. Speaker cables benefit from heavier gauges depending on power and length.  Quality connectors that don't fail is important as well.  There is a performance advantage, but this depends on application. Monster was and is just one of many different companies whom offer an array of different quality products.

Now comparing cables to something as complex as an internal combustion engine and it's coupled transmission is completely different.  They don't even share the same universe complexity wise.

Using specific products in a well researched industry definetly has it's advantages.  It's NOT  all BS like some have mentioned.  Do spark plugs provide 10 extra ponies??  Obviously no.  However, the sum of all little extra things executed like quality plugs, quality synthetic lubricants, fuel conditioners if running fuel with ethanol DOES make difference.  It's not an enormous difference, but it is significant enough to justify it's practice.

yet u use newly installed oil, feel good emotional engineering to say lucas oil is the best, even though lab testing of the oil shows it allows excessive wear of gears? Lucas problem with their oil foaming goes back decades.  One UOA 20-25 bucks would show that they fixed the problem or they didn't. so either u reduce the wear of your trans gears or u don't if they fixed their formulation.
just my 2 cents. enjoy your ride.

in regards to stereo cables, suggest a good read of books that talked about noise reduction in cables mostly done by Bell Labs for phone lines. brief overview, speaker cables need to be as short as possible from the amp, length of interconnect cables btwn amp and pre-amp is not a concern although flat cable is quieter than round cable. even type of insulation affects the noise. then one can get into heat noise whereas keeping an amp at 0-32F lowers that noise, however for home listening equipment the human ear really can't hear that frequency anyway.