Prepare Your Bike for Summer Riding

Prepare Your Bike for Summer Riding

The complete line of AMSOIL motorcycle products ensures your bike is ready to hit the road.

Bikers of all stripes are gearing up for another season of motorcycle rallies and summer road trips. Whether you’re into V-twins or metric bikes, AMSOIL synthetic motorcycle oils are dialed-in to meet the unique demands of your bike.

V-Twin Motorcycles

Powerful, hot-running V-twins generate intense heat, especially in slow-moving rally or parade traffic. Air-cooled bikes rely on a steady flow of air over the cooling fins to conduct heat away. Stop-and-go driving and periods of idling on hot summer days can quickly cause the engine temperature to skyrocket. If a motorcycle oil cannot withstand hot operating temperatures, its ability to provide adequate engine protection is compromised.

In addition, the intense heat and mechanical action inside a motorcycle engine can cause motorcycle oils to lose viscosity, or shear. Bikes that share a sump between the engine and transmission are especially prone to viscosity loss due to shear. AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil is shear stable and does not thin from mechanical activity. It does an excellent job protecting your expensive bike against wear.

AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil has been updated with labels and packaging that bring it in line with the rest of the V-Twin line introduced last year. SAE 60 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil labels and packaging will follow in May. Together they complete the AMSOIL V-twin product line in time for the start of motorcycle season. New labels will be available when current inventory is depleted. 

AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil delivers excellent performance in transmissions and primary chaincases, offering the convenience of one lubricant for all three areas of your bike. Some bikers, however, prefer lubricants formulated specifically for their transmission or chaincase. AMSOIL Synthetic V-Twin Transmission Fluid and Synthetic V-Twin Primary Fluid offer excellent performance in these situations.

Metric Motorcycles

The metric motorcycle market is divided into three segments.

Metric Sport Bikes

Metric Cruisers

Metric Touring

Sport

Sport bikes (crotch rockets) need wet-clutch-compatible lubricants that deliver consistent shift performance. The high speeds and rpm at which riders travel can cause oil to foam, requiring lubricants that offer superior foam control.

AMSOIL Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil helps you push your bike to the edge. Its advanced synthetic technology maximizes engine responsiveness while delivering excellent wet-clutch compatibility for smooth shifts. By controlling foam, it helps you confidently push your engine toward the red line for maximum speed, acceleration and cornering ability.

Cruiser

Like sport bikes, metric cruisers are defined by engine responsiveness, power and speed. Superior handling, easy shifting and reliability are also important traits.

AMSOIL Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil delivers smooth, confident shifts and excellent wear protection. By resisting extreme heat and helping cool hot engines, it promotes peace of mind and confidence.

Touring

Metric touring bikes typically accentuate comfort, luxury and the adventure associated with long, cross-country trips. AMSOIL Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil enhances reliability by delivering superior engine protection. Its outstanding performance provides the security of knowing your bike is going to provide trouble-free operation mile after mile. It extends drain intervals up to twice the bike manufacturer’s recommendations, allowing you to enjoy peace of mind when far away from home and unable to stop for an oil change. AMSOIL Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil’s wet-clutch compatibility enables smooth shifts for a comfortable ride.

No matter the bike, AMSOIL has you covered. 

Z-ROD® Keeps Classic Vehicles Street-Ready

Z-ROD® Keeps Classic Vehicles Street-Ready

AMSOIL Z-ROD® Synthetic Motor Oil protects engines on the highway and in the garage.

Making the transition from storage to the street can be an anxious time for classic car owners. Even after extensive preparations, doubts may linger whether a prized vehicle has been effectively protected during a period of inactivity. Many owners now look to modern technology to keep vintage hot rods and muscle cars performing at a high level on the street and fully protected during storage.     

Protecting engines designed decades ago- and engines modified for increased performance- can be challenging. From flat-tappet cams and splash-lubricated components to the toll of periodic storage, unique issues must be addressed.

Flat-Tappet Cams and ZDDP

The design of flat-tappet cams makes them especially vulnerable to wear. As the name indicates, the tappet- or lifter - is flat. During operation the surface of the cam lobe slides rapidly over the surface of the tappet, producing high friction and temperatures. The camshaft and lifters are responsible for triggering the precisely tuned movements of the valve train. Here, the use of anti-wear additives becomes crucial.

Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) is a commonly used motor oil additive that provides anti-wear protection and minimizes lubricant breakdown. ZDDP also exhibits mild extreme-pressure protection. As temperatures in an engine rise, ZDDP decomposes, and the resulting chemistry protects critical metal surfaces. 

Without the protective film barrier provided by ZDDP, the cams and lifters wear from the force of operation, negatively affecting cam and valve operation. Because most V-8 engines of the muscle car era came standard with flat-tappet cams, the problem is prevalent to classic-car and hot rod owners.

In these applications, modern oils, such as AMSOIL synthetic motor oils, are capable of providing adequate wear protection after the engine has been broken in. But due to variables like severity of service and level of modification, AMSOIL primarily recommends high-ZDDP oils in these applications, such as Z-ROD® Synthetic Motor Oil. When breaking in a rebuilt or high-performance engine, AMSOIL recommends AMSOIL Break-In Oil, which contains high levels of ZDDP for added protection. 

Rust and Corrosion

Moisture can be as devastating an engine contaminant as dirt or sludge. Vehicles subjected to long-term storage are especially vulnerable to humidity-driven rust and corrosion. AMSOIL Z-ROD® Synthetic Motor Oil is formulated with a unique blend of rust and corrosion inhibitors to ensure maximum protection during storage. 

AMSOIL Z-ROD® Synthetic Motor Oil (ZRT, ZRF)

Protects flat-tappet cams

Long-term rust and corrosion protection

AMSOIL Break-In Oil (BRK)

Quickly seats rings

Protects vital parts from wear

Increased film strength

AMSOIL Dirt Bike Products Maximize Performance of Bike and Rider

AMSOIL Dirt Bike Products Maximize Performance of Bike and Rider

Whether you ride to take the checkered flag or conquer the trails near home, AMSOIL has you covered.

Most dirt bike riders have one goal in mind when they hit the track or trail: ride faster and more effectively. Clutch performance goes a long toward ensuring you get out front and stay out front. Clutch slippage or inconsistent clutch feel can lead to poor starts out of the gate, while maneuvering around obstacles on the trail increases the opportunity for clutch slippage if low-quality lubricants are used.

Consistent clutch feel important

AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Oil’s superior friction-durability properties help minimize clutch slippage, fade and chatter, giving riders consistent clutch feel during takeoffs or when navigating the trail. In an extreme simulated-start test, AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Oil continued to deliver consistent clutch feel following 32 simulated race starts, while a leading manufacturer’s oil demonstrated inconsistent clutch-lever action and poor clutch feel after 16 starts. AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Oil’s superior performance helps instill in riders the confidence that their bikes will perform consistently in all types of riding conditions. It also delivers superior wear protection for engine and clutch components.

Some riders, however, prefer a dedicated transmission fluid instead of a multi-purpose motor oil. For them, AMSOIL Synthetic Dirt Bike Transmission Fluid features a wet-clutch-compatible formulation designed to prevent clutch slippage and deliver consistent, confident clutch feel. It helps you ride smoother and faster for maximum performance. It also provides excellent wear protection for gears and clutch plates, reducing time and money spent on maintenance.

Clutch Plates

Don’t overlook chain and fuel maintenance

Although easy to overlook, the chain is another important area to maintain. In order to ensure optimum performance and life, dirt bike chains require premium lubrication and protection against dirt, mud, water and constant stress. AMSOIL Chain Lube doesn’t fling off, helping you avoid the hassles of frequent reapplication and the stresses of worrying about chain durability.

Degraded fuel presents major problems for dirt bike engines. It can form varnish, gum and insoluble debris that clog carburetors, fuel injectors and fuel filters. Carbon buildup can form on the tops of pistons, causing pre-ignition, rough idling and poor throttle response. AMSOIL Quickshot® is formulated to thoroughly clean and restore peak performance in dirt-bike fuel systems. Its revolutionary technology addresses problems associated with ethanol, water and dirty pump gas.

Shift to AMSOIL Protection

Shift to AMSOIL Protection

AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid has been proven in the field to deliver reserve protection against heat and wear.

The demands on today’s automatic transmissions have multiplied. Excessive idling, extreme temperatures and hauling heavy loads all pose threats to a transmission’s longevity. Work vehicles are consistently used in these severe-service conditions but operators are often unaware of the toll it’s taking on their transmissions.

Automatic transmissions have evolved into an intricate mix of gears, clutch packs and narrow oil passageways that require a steady supply of lubrication. They have become smaller yet must withstand higher horsepower and torque. Transmission fluid must act as a lubricant protecting against intense heat and shearing, and also as a hydraulic fluid to enable shifting. Neglecting this vital fluid leads to extreme heat stress, erratic shifts and catastrophic wear. Ultimately, a time-consuming and costly repair or a complete transmission replacement become the only options.

The AMSOIL Advantage

AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid is specifically formulated to withstand the rigors of daily towing, elevated temperatures and challenging terrain. Its wax-free formulation remains fluid in sub-zero temperatures and ensures excellent shift response, energy efficiency and warm-up times. It provides reserve protection during heavy use and even abuse.

The Proof

F-150 Towing Field Study

The consistent hauling of boats, campers, equipment or supplies can tax a transmission to the point of failure. We submitted Signature Series Synthetic Fuel-Efficient ATF for a field trial at an independent test facility to prove its ability to protect transmissions in the severe, high-heat environment generated in real-world towing scenarios.

A loaded trailer was towed on real highways and streets throughout the trial. Signature Series Synthetic ATF handled the punishment with ease. Throughout 115,000 miles in severe-service it delivered outstanding protection for gears and clutches and maintained smooth shifts.

2013 Ford F-150* Pick-up

Mixed city/highway miles routinely towing 3,000 pounds

Excellent wear protection despite 4x the manufacturer’s recommended drain interval

Las Vegas Taxi Cab Field Study

Few applications test lubricants like taxi cabs, especially those running in the searing heat of Las Vegas. After more than 180,000 severe-service miles in this challenging environment, AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic ATF delivered complete wear protection and provided shift quality nearly identical to new fluid***.

2010 Dodge Charger* taxi cab

Extreme desert heat

180,000 stop-and-go miles

3X the vehicle manufacturer’s severe-service drain interval

Reserve Protection

The results of these studies offer convincing proof of performance for fleets, contractors and others who operate work vehicles daily in severe-service conditions. The added protection of AMSOIL synthetic lubricants shields expensive work vehicles from the negative effects of extreme heat, especially sludge formation, keeping them on the job making money.

AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF, ATL)

Specifically formulated for severe-service towing and heavy hauling

Delivers reserve protection against extreme heat

Maintains cold-temperature fluidity

Superior friction durability for smooth, reliable shifts

Oil Filtration Basics

Oil Filtration Basics

Oil filters play a major role in the performance and longevity of an engine by removing contaminants and promoting proper oil flow.

Modern engines introduce more contaminants into oil than their predecessors. To compound the issue, oil sumps are shrinking, leaving fewer detergents and dispersants to help fight the by-products of the internal combustion process. An oil filter’s capacity must improve to contend with the additional contaminants. Capacity refers to the amount of contaminants a filter can hold while still remaining effective.

To understand the significance of capacity, it’s helpful to know the basics of oil filtration. Clean oil is vital to keeping engines running properly. The oil filter must remove contaminants introduced into the oil and prevent them from reaching sensitive engine parts without restricting normal oil flow. Internal sources of contamination include wear products from the rubbing surfaces of the engine, and degradation of the oil itself. To provide top-notch performance, a filter must be constructed with the optimum balance of capacity, efficiency, flow and  durability.

Advanced Media Technology

AMSOIL Ea Oil Filters are engineered using full-synthetic media that features smaller fibers compared to the cellulose and blended media found in other filters. The smaller fibers have a controlled size and shape, providing greater efficiency, capacity and durability. The media in Ea Oil Filters provides up to two times greater capacity than competing filter brands.

Absolute Efficiency

Efficiency describes the filter’s ability to capture contaminants. The more efficient a filter, the more contaminants it re-moves from the oil. Manufacturers typically report their filters’ efficiencies as the percentage of contaminants 20 microns and larger removed from oil. Filters using traditional media are often only 40 to 80 percent efficient at 20 microns.

In extensive testing, the full line of AMSOIL Ea Oil Filters achieves a near- perfect absolute efficiency rating of 98.7 per-cent at 20 microns, making each filter among the most efficient available for autos/light trucks.

Improved Flow

Flow is restricted as the spacing in the filter media is made smaller to provide greater efficiency. The unique design and full-synthetic media in AMSOIL Ea Oil Filters allow decreased space between fibers without restricting  flow. This provides exceptional cold-start performance and ensures proper levels of lubrication throughout the engine.

Durable Construction

Over the service life of a cellulose filter, hot oil degrades the resins that bind the media. Ea Oil Filters’ full-synthetic media is backed with a wire screen that is pleated with the media for superior strength. Ea Oil Filters are constructed with HNBR nitrite gaskets that are fully tested to extreme distances in numerous severe environments. The filters also feature fully tucked seams, a molded element seal, roll-formed threads and a long-lasting premium-grade silicone anti- drain valve.

AMSOIL Ea Oil Filters

Filtering efficiency of 98.7 percent at 20 microns

Advanced full-synthetic media

Greater capacity than competing filter brands

Allows maximum efficiency without restricting flow

Provides extended service life

AMSOIL Ea Bypass Filters

Filtering efficiency of 98.7 percent at two microns

AMSOIL DOMINATOR® COOLANT BOOST REFORMULATED WITH LATEST TECHNOLOGY

AMSOIL DOMINATOR® COOLANT BOOST REFORMULATED WITH LATEST TECHNOLOGY


Improved compatibility, faster engine warm-up times and reduced engine temperatures highlight the new formulation.

Dominator Coolant Boost has been reformulated with the latest organic-acid technology. The new technology adds to the benefits provided by the previous formulation, including reduced engine temperatures by up to 25ºF (previously 19ºF) in straight-water applications and up to 54 percent faster engine warm-up times (previously 45 percent). Organic acids are more robust and longer-lasting than inorganic acids, offering excellent resistance to scaling, drop-out and corrosion. They also contribute to improved compatibility; the new Dominator Coolant Boost formulation can be mixed with soft, tap and distilled water, in addition to any brand of antifreeze. Users will also notice the product is now orange in color.

While racers derive the most value from Dominator Coolant Boost, it provides benefits for everyday motorists, too. 

Helps Racers Win

Racers value reduced engine temperatures the most since excessive heat robs engines of efficiency and power. Racers look for any way to reduce engine temperatures to gain an advantage over their competitors. Dominator Coolant Boost is perfect for racing applications; it reduces engine temperatures up to 25ºF in straight-water applications.

Straight water, however, invites damaging radiator and water-pump corrosion. Dominator Coolant Boost delivers outstanding corrosion protection. In industry standard testing (ASTM D1384 and ASTM D2570), Dominator Coolant Boost limited corrosion to the six metals most commonly found in cooling systems (copper, solder, brass, steel, cast iron and cast aluminum), easily passing both tests. 

Helps Motorists Warm Car Faster

Motorists who live in cold climates value faster engine warm-up times the most. Dominator Coolant Boost features proprietary tiered-surfactant technology that results in up to 54 percent faster engine warm-up times, resulting in a more comfortable vehicle on cold winter mornings.


A surfactant reduces the surface tension of water and antifreeze, allowing closer contact with metal parts. This closer contact increases the coolant’s efficiency in transferring heat away from hot engine parts and out through the radiator and fan. Many leading coolant additives contain only one surfactant, limiting their temperature ranges and effectiveness. Dominator Coolant Boost uses three surfactants, each designed to operate in a different temperature range to increase liquid-to-metal contact from the time the vehicle starts to the time it reaches operating temperature.

Rust & Corrosion Attack Vehicles

Rust & Corrosion Attack Vehicles

Most motor oils only provide minimal protection against damaging engine rust and corrosion.

The effects of rust and corrosion are easy to see on the exterior of vehicles and equipment. However, they can also form on the inside of your engine if you’re not using a properly formulated motor oil.

The problem is especially problematic in engines used in applications that sit idle for extended periods, including the following.

Boats

Motorcycles

Lawnmowers

Classic cars

Snowblowers

Despite what most people assume, motor oils have no natural ability to protect against rust or corrosion. Instead, special rust and corrosion inhibitors must be added to the formulation to provide the required protection, and some oils simply don’t contain the correct additives in the correct concentration.

Idleness equals no protection

During engine operation, a layer of oil coats engine parts and the crankcase walls. The lubricant film protects against rust and corrosion as long as it remains in place. However, after you shut down the motor for the day, gravity draws the oil back down into the oil sump, leaving components unprotected. The longer the engine sits, the more rust and corrosion can form.

Once rust begins to form, it doesn’t stop. It can slowly spread to the crankshaft journals, cylinder wall, piston rings and other areas. It acts like sandpaper and scours metal surfaces until engine failure eventually results. It can also prevent the piston rings from forming a good seal against the cylinder wall, which reduces compression and leads to power loss.

Aluminum parts may not rust, but they can corrode, especially in marine motors constantly exposed to humid air. If the valves aren’t completely sealed when the engine shuts down, damp air infiltrates the combustion chamber and causes aluminum pistons to corrode. Corrosion on the piston crown invites conditions that can lead to pre-ignition, a phenomenon where the fuel/air mixture ignites sporadically and potentially causes catastrophic engine failure.  

Passenger car motor oils don’t cut it

It’s vital to use a motor oil formulated with anti-rust/anti-corrosion additives in vehicles and equipment that sit idle for long periods. These additives form a resilient protective layer that clings to engine parts for maximum protection. Since passenger cars/trucks are typically driven daily, rust and corrosion largely isn’t a concern. As such, most passenger car motor oils don’t contain sufficient rust and corrosion inhibitors for engines used periodically. Instead, use a motor oil specifically formulated for your application.

AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil, AMSOIL marine engine oils, AMSOIL Z-ROD® Synthetic Motor Oil and AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke® Synthetic Small Engine Oil contain robust rust and corrosion inhibitors. They deliver outstanding performance for your engines when you’re driving, and superior rust and corrosion protection when they sit idle.