Spectro. Amsoil. Mobil.
For a consumer, the task of choosing which brand of oil to use can be daunting. With so many brands available, all of which claim to be the “best of the best”, it can be difficult to decide what is the right choice for your bike. Too often we see consumers using over-priced blends that aren’t necessarily appropriate for their particular application. Just because it is the most expensive option does not mean that it is the best option for your bike. Let’s dig into that a little further:
When trying to educate customers, we try to stress that the particular blend of oil you use is much more important than the brand. Here at Mobile Cycle Works, we carry three different blends of Spectro motor oil: Heavy-Duty, Golden, and Platinum.
Heavy-Duty blends are appropriate for most motorcycles. They are the most economical choice and because they are a standard petroleum oil, they have greater cling capacity than other blends. In the Winter, that translates into a reduced risk of internal engine rust because this blend sticks to the engine components longer and doesn’t leave them exposed when not in use.
Golden blends offer a semi-synthetic petroleum blend. For most applications, we think this is the best of both worlds. It offers the greater cling capacity of a standard petroleum oil combined with the cooling benefits and longevity of synthetics. This is our go-to oil for most applications.
Platinum blends consist of a full-synthetic oil and are most often suitable for newer models, motorcycles that you might run at higher temperatures (such as a road trip through the Arizona desert), or in parade riding. This is due to the fact that full synthetic blends do help cool the oil temperature greater than any other blends. We try to stress and caution that full synthetics are not necessary or even recommended in all applications. It is the most expensive option, and an inappropriate choice for most older bikes. It is a much thinner oil than the other two blends, and we see greater oil usage and leakage as a result.
Please always follow manufacturers recommendations for oil type and quantity. These are meant to be general guidelines and are offered as an opinion. As always, feel free to give us a call if you have additional questions.
