Harley Davidson Motor Oil Weight

We will be talking about Harley Davidson Motor Oil Weight and learning more about the importance of use

Harley Davidson Oil Filter Cross Reference

Harley Davidson Motor Oil Weight is an important factor to consider when changing your oil.

Different weights of oil offer different benefits, depending on the make and model of your motorcycle and the conditions in which you ride it.

Harley Davidson riders have several options when it comes to motor oil weight, and choosing the right one can make a big difference in terms of performance and protection.

In this article, we will discuss what motor oil weight is, why it matters, and the best option for Harley Davidson owners.

What Is Motor Oil Weight?

But first: what is motor oil weight?

The numbers on the label of your AMSOIL synthetic motorcycle oil don’t refer to the actual mass of the oil—instead, motor oil “weight” is the phrase used to describe the viscosity of the lubricant.

The reason knowing the viscosity of your engine’s lubricant is important is because this determines its flow rate when the engine is in use.

For most motor oils, this number is determined based on the flow rate at 210°F, the average operating temperature for most engines.

Motor oil weight is assigned by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to indicate the viscosity and flow of an engine lubricant.

The higher the number of the weight, the thicker and more viscous it is.

Likewise, the lower the number, the thinner it is and the faster it flows.

Harley Davidson Motor Oil Weight it’s important to use the thick 20w50. Because of the high temperature, Harley Davidson Motor Oil Weight the air-cooled engine will arrive too.

Harley Davidson motor oil weight

Why Does Motor Oil Weight Matter?

Not every engine is created with the same performance standards or lubrication needs.

What’s more, not every engine is operated at a “normal” operating temperature of 65°F or so. What does this have to do with oil weight?

Harley Davidson Motor Oil Weight

Well, first and foremost, the thicker your motor oil (or the higher its weight), the slower it flows but also, the more protection you will have against undue engine wear.

On the other hand, thinner (lower weight) motor oils will flow faster than their thicker counterparts.

Still, they won’t offer quite the same amount of protection should the engine encounter “stressful” conditions, like high operating temperatures.

Second, Harley Davidson motor oil weight can affect an engine’s startup in cold temperatures.

Primarily colder temperatures mean sluggish lubrication, which can cause some problems when it comes time to start your car in the winter months (on an average day if you live in a cold climate).

Harley Davidson motor oil weight

Selecting the right Harley Davidson motor oil weight for your driving conditions can help protect your car and prevent undue stress on your engine.

This brings us to the reason why some Harley Davidson motor oil weight bottles have two numbers on the label.

You may have seen a 5W-30 motor oil on the shelf before. In this case, the “W” refers to “winter” and indicates that this type of motor oil can perform in colder weather conditions in addition to warmer ones.

Best Harley Davidson Motor Oil Weight

Many Harley Davidson owners plan to ride their bikes in dry, relatively warm conditions as it generally makes for a safer, more enjoyable ride.

As such, most Harley owners spring for a 20W-50 weight oil.

Harley Davidson motor oil weight

However, it is important to note that if you opt for an extremely thick motorcycle oil, you may have trouble operating your Harley in colder conditions, as straight weight oils will not shear to a thinner weight oil.

Best Motorcycle Oil Weight for Cold Climates

As we mentioned above, you don’t want to go too thick with your motorcycle oil as it can cause problems in colder temperatures.

Most Harley owners who plan to ride their bike in colder conditions tend to choose a 10W-40 motorcycle oil for any riding they may plan to do in the winter months.

Best Harley Davidson motor oil weight for Warm Climates

Fair weather bikers aside, it generally requires less weather-protective gear to ride a Harley Davidson in warmer weather.

This means that warmer regions (and warmer months) tend to draw out more Harley riders.

While a 10W-40 motorcycle oil is recommended in colder riding conditions, generally a 20W-50 motorcycle oil is a safe bet for warmer ones.

Harley Davidson motor oil weight

AMSOIL Premium Synthetic Motorcycle Oils

When it comes to choosing the best Harley Davidson motor oil weight, there are several factors you’ll have to consider—namely when and where you will be riding your motorcycle.

Selecting the right motorcycle oil weight for your engine can not only improve performance but can increase the lifespan of your bike and help your investment hold its value for many years to come.

Selecting a motorcycle oil weight for your bike doesn’t have to be complicated—but it should be thought through and intentional.

To browse AMSOIL’s collection of premium synthetic motorcycle oils, click here, or read our recent article on what to know before you change the motorcycle oil for your Harley!