Harley Davidson Primary Oil Substitute Reviewed

Harley Davidson is one of the most popular brands and Harley owners are passionate bikers. As such, they often wonder what I the best primary oil substitute for their bikes. This is completely understandable because not all oils will bring the best out of your bike.

Engines need to be lubricated at all times and oils serve this exact purpose, making sure all the different parts are working as they should. Good engine oil will leave the motor of your ride functioning to its full capacity, so you need to be careful while choosing one for your bike.

Since Harley bikes feature an air-cooling system, they also generate heat faster than a bike with a water-cooling system. By buying the best oil for your ride, you make sure the engine is at the most optimum temperature.

Here, we present some of the best primary oil substitutes for your Harley bike, along with a few things you need to consider before making a purchase.

You also should consider buying some very useful tools to make oil change much easier and cleaner. Such as this oil fill funnel set and oil drain.

Red Line has been producing engine oils for several owners and the Red Line 42904 is a relatively new product launched in 2018. This product is a bit pricey in respect to other engine oils, but its key features make every penny worth paying.

Best Features

You can use this oil with all the Harley bikes that feature the V-Twin engines. You can even use it with the old models dating back to the 80s. Apart from the V-Twin, it also works well with other engines like Aftermarket and Twin Cams. The oil keeps the engine’s temperature level while improving the clutch operation.

With the Red Line, you need to change the oil less frequently compared to others, which is a definite plus. Moreover, it has the highest possible resistance level of 80W which allows the engine to function normally even at very low temperatures.

This oil was specially formulated for those Harley owners who face problems with noisy transmission systems. It is well-suited for long-distance bike trips and gives excellent performance even with a heavy load and a high temperature.

Best Features

The Spectro R.HDPCO is great for filtering the waste materials from your engine oil. It has special ingredients and is made using the G4 technology and hence can protect the bike’s bearings and gears from getting damaged.

Many Harley bikes suffer from clunking and the fifth gear not functioning properly. This oil is perfect for solving such issues. This ATF has a rating of 75-140W that allows the engine to work as expected even in bad weather conditions.

If the chaincase of your Harley is making a lot of noise, it may be time to switch over to the Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50. You can use it both for the engine and the primary, which makes it a versatile product.

If the chaincase of your Harley is making a lot of noise, it may be time to switch over to the Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50. You can use it both for the engine and the primary, which makes it a versatile product.

Best Features

This primary oil substitute has the optimum mix of additives to lubricate all the different parts of your bike at the same time. Sometimes it can difficult to use three separate oils for primary, transmission, and engine, and the Mobil 1 can serve the purpose of all three.

This oil is manufactured according to the properties of an engine with an air-cooling system, so it would suit your Harley bike quite well. It performs exceptionally well in high-temperature conditions, protecting the parts of the engine from wear.

The primary purpose of this oil is to cool down the clutch. Apart from this, it also lubricates the chaincase. You can use Lucas Oil for the primary, the transmission, and the engine. It has a viscosity of 25w-40 which is suitable for Harley models.

Best Features

The Lucas 10790 is made using some quality base oils and a bunch of additives that allow it to absorb a greater amount of heat from the friction and clutch plates.

By using this oil you can increase the smoothness of the clutch while reducing slippage and ensure longer sprocket, oil, and chain life.

This is the best oil to purchase if you wish to bring sliding friction down to a minimum. It makes shifting gears quieter owing to its high viscosity.

Best Features

The Bel-Ray VTwin has additives that enhance its lubricity, along with a high viscosity that reduces noise and leads to a smooth performance. By preventing viscosity breakdown, this oil makes sure your bike performs well in harsh weather conditions.

The Harley’s cooling systems react to this oil quite well and you will notice an improved performance after a few miles.

Buying Guide

Before buying a primary oil substitute for your Harley bike, you need to keep in mind the following factors:

• Type of oil

Mineral oil is not suitable for high temperatures. It is not so stable, so you should opt for fully synthetic or semi-synthetic oil that improves performance while allowing you to save money.

• Viscosity

This is a vital factor to consider, as choosing an improper viscosity can lead to the wear and tear of the gears. For Harley bikes, high viscosity is preferable.

• Additives

Over time, debris accumulates inside the engine and additives help clear them out. Manually cleaning the engine is time-consuming, so you’d want oil that has good additives.

Conclusion

Now you know about the different brands of Harley primary oil substitutes available on the market, you can choose one according to your budget and requirements. Before buying, you must ensure the oil is temperature-resistant and highly viscous.