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WHY HARLEY OWNERS CHOOSE AMSOIL Wear Test Comparison - AMSOIL vs. Harley Screamin' Eagle The recent introduction of Screamin' Eagle ® Synthetic Lubricant by Harley-Davidson ® indicates the Motor Company has finally recognized the benefits of running synthetic motorcycle oil in their air-cooled engines. After years of advising dealers and customers to avoid using synthetic oils in their bikes, it's natural to wonder why the company is suddenly marketing one. For the past 20 years, Harley-Davidson ® has claimed its petroleum-based Genuine H-D Oil is best for the "unique requirements of Harley-Davidson ® air-cooled V-twin engines." However, laboratory testing has consistently revealed that Genuine H-D Oil does not provide the best protection possible for Harley-Davidson ® engines. In fact, Four-Ball Wear Tests show Harley- Davidson ® 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil leaves a wear scar nearly 80 percent larger than that left by AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil. Four-Ball Wear Test (ASTM D4172), 40kg pressure @ 150 degrees C, 1800 rpm for 1 hour duration April 2003 test results The Four-Ball Wear Test is the industry's standard test method for measuring the wear preventive characteristics of a lubricant. Placed in a bath of the test lubricant, three fixed steel balls are put into contact with a fourth ball in rotating contact at preset test conditions. Lubricant wear protection properties are measured by comparing the average wear scars on the three fixed balls. The smaller the average wear scar, the better the protection. One of the major benefits of running a synthetic motorcycle oil is its resistance to oxidation and thermal degradation, which inhibit the formation of sludge and deposits that contribute to increased wear. In the past, Harley-Davidson ® has defended use of its Genuine H-D Oil by arguing that oil breakdown in extreme heat is a non-issue because extreme heat conditions are not normally faced by motorcycle engines, while the superior cold-temperature benefits of synthetics also don't apply to Harleys. The fact is, engine oil in Harley-Davidson ® motorcycles is subject to very high temperatures. Being air-cooled, Harley-Davidson ® engines get especially hot while idling in traffic, commonly reaching temperatures up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. As heat and oxidation increase, so does viscosity, adversely affecting the lubricating qualities of the oil and increasing wear. The water, soot and acid byproducts of combustion also contribute to deposit formation. Harley-Davidson ® has stressed the importance of regular oil changes in order to remove these contaminants. Of course, promoting regular oil changes is also a good way to promote using petroleum-based Genuine H-D Oil. High-quality synthetic oils formulated with high-performance additives effectively withstand such contaminants, allowing motorcyclists to safely extend drain intervals. In support of their about-face and the introduction of a synthetic oil, Harley maintains that "the Motor Company has never supported the use of synthetic products in our vehicles because there has never been any test validations completed on the numerous formulations in HD/Buell motorcycles.

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