Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 Oil

[Cornel]

Has anyone used the Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 oil? Thinking of switching from the BMW oil. My thinking is that the V-Twin oil is engineered for air/oil cooled motorcycle engines and it might work better than the Mobil1 15W-50 oil engineered for cars. I also live in California, so I'm not too worried about very cold temperature starting performance.

 

[BobW]

Plenty of comments in various oil threads to read through with a quick search.

The advertising on the front label means little as it is the Spec listed on the back that should be met regardless one's favorite Brand. BMW has used Castrol, Spectro and now Shell as their vendor for their BMW labelled lubricants these last few years, with Shell being the current flavor of the month. Buy what you like and as long as it meets spec and you keep receipts for fluids and filters used for servicing you should have no problems if a warranty repair is needed on a lubricant related failure.

 

[JAMUSAURUS]

I was looking on some other forums about it and it’s a great oil. Lots of UOAs from other air cooled boxer and vtwin engines. Just search on BITOG and they will show up.

I share your sentiment about moving away from BMW oil as I went the Motul route this year. Just changed my oil recently from 7100 15w50 to 300v. No shavings on my drain plug which was a sweet surprise compared to the 3 changes that were factory recommended oil and a small build up was present.

If you do try out M1 Vtwin - do a UOA and share your experience. I’d love to see it.

 

[widu13]

20w is still within the range of 15w50. Generally is is okay to go thicker (as in 20w) but not okay to go thinner.

 

[Cornel]

I was looking on some other forums about it and it’s a great oil. Lots of UOAs from other air cooled boxer and vtwin engines. Just search on BITOG and they will show up.

I share your sentiment about moving away from BMW oil as I went the Motul route this year. Just changed my oil recently from 7100 15w50 to 300v. No shavings on my drain plug which was a sweet surprise compared to the 3 changes that were factory recommended oil and a small build up was present.

If you do try out M1 Vtwin - do a UOA and share your experience. I’d love to see it.

It is a great oil. I've been using it in my Harleys for a very, very long time. I was just wondering if anyone used it in a BMW boxer engine.

 

[BobW]

From the R18 owner's manual;

Engine-oil specification SAE 15W-50, API SJ /JASO MA2,


From Mobile 1, V-Twin 20-50 product guide;

This product meets or exceeds the requirements of:

API SJ

Applications​

• Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 is specifically recommended by ExxonMobil for lubrication of four-stroke motorcycle engines in high performance motorcycles.

• Recommended by ExxonMobil for use in Harley-Davidson.



The SJ standard is answered, but it does not list any JASO MA2 or other JASO rating. There are comments on "Bob the Oil Guy" and other sites that say with dry clutches it is not a problem and other comments refer to high levels of specific additives in "V-Twin" 20-50 that can/may harm catalytic converters. SWAGs at best and I don't know why engineers spec certain standards, but they do.

As far as I can tell none of these comments are specific to BMW so I would simply call or email customer service for Mobile 1 products and ask them if using it in an engine that requires JASO MA2 will they stand behind it's use should a problem arise and a warranty claim is lubricant related.

YRMV

 

[BER18 100]

Cornel,
I began using Mobil1 15W-50 in my R1200C in 2008 and have been using it in both my Harley and the R18.
Mobil1 has been around longer than any other synthetic.
Byron

 

[Noelpolar]

Fwiw..... when doing some oil research on the need for a JASO MA rated oil (given our bikes dry clutch).... I found these words: JASO MA also specs more ZDDP for better valve train protection, which is not offered by energy conserving "car" oils.

 

[Cornel]

Cornel,
I began using Mobil1 15W-50 in my R1200C in 2008 and have been using it in both my Harley and the R18.
Mobil1 has been around longer than any other synthetic.
Byron

I mentioned the V-Twin 20W-50 because it' s engineered for air/oil cooled motorcycle engines ad the 15W-50 is engineered for cars and with energy conservation in mind. I would think that the the V-Twin oil would perform better in the air/oil cooled boxer engine than the 15W-50 oil, but that it's just my assumption. That's why I asked if anyone on here actually used it and spoke from experience.

 

[Cornel]

From the R18 owner's manual;

Engine-oil specification SAE 15W-50, API SJ /JASO MA2,


From Mobile 1, V-Twin 20-50 product guide;

This product meets or exceeds the requirements of:

API SJ

Applications​

• Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 is specifically recommended by ExxonMobil for lubrication of four-stroke motorcycle engines in high performance motorcycles.

• Recommended by ExxonMobil for use in Harley-Davidson.



The SJ standard is answered, but it does not list any JASO MA2 or other JASO rating. There are comments on "Bob the Oil Guy" and other sites that say with dry clutches it is not a problem and other comments refer to high levels of specific additives in "V-Twin" 20-50 that can/may harm catalytic converters. SWAGs at best and I don't know why engineers spec certain standards, but they do.

As far as I can tell none of these comments are specific to BMW so I would simply call or email customer service for Mobile 1 products and ask them if using it in an engine that requires JASO MA2 will they stand behind it's use should a problem arise and a warranty claim is lubricant related.

YRMV

From what I've read, the JASO MA2 specification has to do with wet clutch performance, but can also be used in motorcycles with dry clutches. Since our bikes have a dry clutch, I don't believe JASO MA2 provides any benefit. I believe BMW developed (outsourced) this oil to cover all their motorcycles, wet, or dry clutch applications.

 

[1911tex]

From the R18 owner's manual;

Engine-oil specification SAE 15W-50, API SJ /JASO MA2,


In my feeble mind, changing oil/filter every 5000 miles myself when the book calls for every 6000 miles......I use only the BMW labeled 15W-50 Advantec label. It takes less than 30 minutes to do the job and I know it will be done correctly. Cost over the life of your bike is negligible compared to other expenses that are incurred. Not worth discussing different brands, weights, etc. The BMW factory did the long term testing over many years...why quibble? Your engine will outlive your the useful life of all the other components of your bike if you use and change as specified by BMW. BMW specifies their researched brand because they want you to be satisfied with their bikes and buy another one!

 

[BobW]

From what I've read, the JASO MA2 specification has to do with wet clutch performance, but can also be used in motorcycles with dry clutches. Since our bikes have a dry clutch, I don't believe JASO MA2 provides any benefit. I believe BMW developed (outsourced) this oil to cover all their motorcycles, wet, or dry clutch applications.

Buy what you want. My point is there are many top shelf brands of oil that meet spec and while there may not be be an issue(?), the simple fact is Mobile 1 V-Twin does not claim to meet spec. There can be numerous reasons, but rather than guessing or arguing beliefs, it's a simple question to reach out to Mobil to see what they KNOW about their product and if they would stand behind it's use in an engine where an OEM lists the JASO MA2 standard. It's simple enough rather all the speculation and if they say it is fine and/or the risk is minimal and you like a particular product I would simply use it.

Good luck.

 

[JAMUSAURUS]

Anything that lubricates while holding up to the heat abuse will work for our motor. I went car oil this route but suspect zero difference in performance because no need for the clutch/ transmission additives

4T specifications​

Modern passenger car engine oils contain more and more friction modifiers. While this is the good thing for those segments (reduces wear and fuel consumption) it's bad for the motorcycles. At least for those motorcycles which use engine oil to lubricate their transmission and wet clutch. JASO introduced the MA and MB specification to distinguish between friction modified and non friction modified engine oils. Most four-stroke motorcycles with wet clutches need a JASO MA oil.

JASO MA
Japanese standard for special oil which can be used in 4-stroke motorcycle engine with one oil system for engine, gearbox and wet clutch system. Fluid is non-friction modified.

JASO MB
MB grade oils are classified as the lowest friction oils among motorcycle four-cycle oils. Not to be used where a JASO MA grade oil is required.

 

[BER18 100]

I have never understood what the difference is between say "Mobil1 15W-50" and "Mobil1 V-Twin 15W-50". The crankcase oil does not mix with the tranny and in the case of Harley, does not mix with the primary chain case.

 

[BobW]

I have never understood what the difference is between say "Mobil1 15W-50" and "Mobil1 V-Twin 15W-50". The crankcase oil does not mix with the tranny and in the case of Harley, does not mix with the primary chain case.

You would have to ask Mobil that question. They have various "proprietary" blends according to their website, which also lists OEMs that approve various offerings and BMW is left blank in all categories. This type of guessing is why oil threads are or become useless, there are simple facts OEMs provide that can be recognized and used or ignored as individuals wish, but if one is unfortunate to suffer a warrantied failure that lubricants could have influenced the first thing that will need to be provided is that service was done with the proper supplies at the proper interval and properly completed. Receipts are necessary (I keep receipts, take notes and photos), and for me it seems so simple to source proper fluids (and filters, etc.), from any number of suppliers that will pass that simple requirement. The bottles of oil that do and don't ensure they meet spec are usually next to each other so it seems silly to not simply use the ones that do and I'd bet all are within the same price point.

YRMV

 

[PistolPeteSTL]

I've been using Mobil-1 15w50 in my 1200 GS for a decade and my R18 since I got it (3 oil changes), as well in whatever Harley I have had for the last 20 years. Never caused an issue for me. I was an early adopter back when Harley mechanics said synthetic would ruin your engine.

I don't use it in the primary on Harleys, since they have a wet clutch that is bathed in primary oil, and have been 100% satisfied.

 

[Cornel]

I've been using Mobil-1 15w50 in my 1200 GS for a decade and my R18 since I got it (3 oil changes), as well in whatever Harley I have had for the last 20 years. Never caused an issue for me. I was an early adopter back when Harley mechanics said synthetic would ruin your engine.

I don't use it in the primary on Harleys, since they have a wet clutch that is bathed in primary oil, and have been 100% satisfied.

I am probably going to go the same route, I've been using Mobil1 in my vehicles and my Harley and I am also 100% satisfied. I only asked if anyone is using the V-Twin 20W-50 because it's designed for motorcycles, specifically air/oil cooled, but it seems that no one (at least no one who read this thread) has used it.