Amsoil vs Valvoline

[XL100allnightlong]

Trying to decide between Amsoil full synthetic and Valvoline 4T full synthetic for the xr 400. Any opinions on these oils and if either is proven to be better than the other.

[Trailryder42]

I think if you do some Googling for some lab test data, the Amsoil will probably come out on top. One thing about it tho, you can't just walk into any ol shop or auto parts store and find it. You'll most likely have to buy it online evey time you want some or check their website dealer search for a dealer in your area.

[XL100allnightlong]

Thanks TR! I think both oils have good ratings, guess I cant go wrong with either.

[adnohguy]

Amsoil is a true 100% motorcycle spec synthetic !

So is Motul V300, and it is a "double Ester" synthetic on top of that.

[Piney Woods]

Amsoil is a true 100% motorcycle spec synthetic !

So is Motul V300, and it is a "double Ester" synthetic on top of that.

As is the Valvoline. No problem with either. Its 2014, basically oil is oil is oil is oil is oil,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Baja trail Rider]

I use the valvoline syn 20/50 (from wal mart) 07wr450 I put 40 hours on it first week I got it (in 07) rode almost every week till Feb 2014.Sold it did not use oil,or smoke.Its still running,like new.I also know guys using Shell rotella 20-40 in Xrs with no problems. BTR

[adnohguy]

As is the Valvoline. No problem with either. Its 2014, basically oil is oil is oil is oil is oil,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html

 

In the late 1990s, Castrol started selling an oil made from Group III base oil and called it SynTec Full Synthetic. Mobil sued Castrol, asserting that this oil was not synthetic, but simply a highly refined petroleum oil, and therefore it was false advertising to call it synthetic. In 1999, Mobil lost their lawsuit. It was decided that the word "synthetic" was a marketing term and referred to properties, not to production methods or ingredients. Castrol continues to make SynTec out of Group III base oils, that is highly purified mineral oil with most all of the cockroach bits removed.

Shortly after Mobil lost their lawsuit, most oil companies started reformulating their synthetic oils to use Group III base stocks instead of PAOs or diester stocks as their primary component. Most of the "synthetic oil" you can buy today is actually mostly made of this highly-distilled and purified dino-juice called Group III oil. Group III base oils cost about half as much as the synthetics. By using a blend of mostly Group III oils and a smaller amount of "true" synthetics, the oil companies can produce a product that has nearly the same properties as the "true" synthetics, and nearly the same cost as the Group III oil. The much more expensive traditional synthetics are now available in their pure forms only in more expensive and harder to obtain oils. To the best of my knowledge, Delvac-1, AMSOil, Redline, and Motul 5100 are the only oils made from pure traditional synthetics.

[Oil Baron]

Amsoil is a true 100% motorcycle spec synthetic !

So is Motul V300, and it is a "double Ester" synthetic on top of that.

 

What does that mean, "double Ester?"

[adnohguy]

Basically double rows of polymers that are linked together. "Double stranded" "Double Bonded"

No metal to metal contact upon cold starts. Especially transmission gears, camshafts, etc.

Works great with wet clutches also.

Google:

"Double Ester-Technology" and read all about it.

Or:

Google 300v 4t Factory Line 10w40 and then: technical data

Or: Wikipedia.org/synthetic oil

And/Or:

Motul.com

[XL100allnightlong]

I seen the 100% synthetic 20w-50 Amsoil at my local auto parts store for 4 strokes for $10 bucks a quart. I guess its not that steep of a price to pay for some of the best protection an engine can get. I think I will experiment with the Amsoil and Valvoline full synthetic and see which one I like better this spring.

[Piney Woods]

What do you expect to learn from that type "experiment"?

[adnohguy]

Maybe an open mind if nothing else?

Or a chance to learn something for them self?

Lol

[XL100allnightlong]

smartass's lol, I want to see which oil will break down first and show signs of hard shifting in the gear box. I want to see if this so called over priced amsoil is really worth its price or if the cheaper synthetics are just as good!

[adnohguy]

smartass's lol, I want to see which oil will break down first and show signs of hard shifting in the gear box. I want to see if this so called over priced amsoil is really worth its price or if the cheaper synthetics are just as good!

There you go!

IMO

That's what its all about!

Learning new things about our bikes and trying them out is almost as much fun as riding them. (Very close)

I'm guessing? Some people don't do any or very little maintenance to there

bikes and then complain that the bike is a piece of junk cause it always breaks down.

But most riders really enjoy taking care of there bikes, they actually wash and clean them, not just pressure wash and forget about them till the next ride.

Some riders: lube, adjust, tinker and enjoy learning and trying new things to see if it makes an improvement or makes it faster, handle better, etc, etc.

Some just say: a dirt bike, is a dirt bike, is a dirt bike, there all the same...

I'm just saying

Edited March 28, 2014 by adnohguy

[Piney Woods]

OK, I was just curious, still am, at how the lay person could evaluate oil without some type of controlled testing. So many variables.

[adnohguy]

Well, from what I read, is he feels that his bike has some shifting issues, maybe it's better with fresh oil but gets worse as he accumulates miles.

So he is willing to give some other brands/types of oils a try to see if they make any difference? Better or worse? Longer period of acceptable shifting quality? The same as before or less.

Hopefully he will post his findings, at least his gut feelings, on what he comes up with.

I'm sure the several TTers would be willing to hear his opinion...

I sure would :-)

[XL100allnightlong]

I will most certainly post my findings this spring/summer which is just an opinion, that's all we can do is give our best opinions. I am one of those riders who love my xr 400. I always keep it clean and maintained and I am always wondering if there is something bigger and better for my bike and that is why I ask for other peoples finds on this site. It isn't all just trial and error on the riders part, there are so many experienced riders that have been there and done that so that is why I ask first and do later. Smart people ask and research first before trying new things so they don't f*** things up permanently by making mistakes that others have done in the past. I trust many of the opinions of the riders on this site!

Also, my bike rides and shifts fine but after oil starts to break down the shifting will get stickier as this has been noticed by many riders other than myself. My experiment for lack of better words, is to see if the high priced oils will go for more miles without breaking down and causing shifting to become sticky " for lack of better words"

Edited March 28, 2014 by XL100allnightlong

[Oil Baron]

. . . . and I thought "double Ester" had something to do with a menage a trois.

[XL100allnightlong]

lol

[Piney Woods]

Agree with the shifting deal. I am on my fourth XR4 and different oils do make a difference in the feel.