Who Makes Harley Davidson Oil? Things You Mightn’t Know!

Harley Davidson has not only rolled out new engines in the market but also delivered oil for their bikes. And their oil types have top-notch features that are not common in the USA. It is possible only because of Sunoco, the company that makes Harley Davidson oil. 

Just because SUNOCO is a manufacturer based in the USA does not mean that they make their oil there. Instead, they export from different countries. What are these, and how is the oil different from others? Let’s get to know the secrets! 

Who Makes Oil For Harley Davidson?

SUNOCO produces oils for Harley Davidson vehicles, and their production plants are located in Dallas and Texas, USA. However, they do not make this oil in the USA. Instead, they outsource from Saudi Arabia and Canada. 

In order to maintain the quality of US oil, this oil goes through refinery plants in the United States. Therefore, the lubricant provides the utmost performance. For better clarity, here are its basic specs:

CriteriaHarley Davidson Oil
Types of oilMineral, synthetic, semi-synthetic
Heat managementReduces engine heat
Anti-corrosive featurePresents in all oil types
PriceBit expensive

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Why Does Genuine Harley Davidson Oil Matter?

To maintain the bike engine, save fuel, and ride long trips, it is necessary to use authentic Harley Davidson oil. And here is what their genuine oil can offer: 

Efficient Engine

The oil is made to function well in all seasons, especially in the winter. During the cold months, motorcycle engines tend to become less efficient due to the thick flow of oil. 

But we commend Harley Davidson for launching oil that performs well all year round. 

Their synthetic and semi-synthetic oils keep the oil’s viscosity lower so that it does not become too thick to flow properly at extreme temperatures. With their low viscosity, they tend to flow easily through the engine. 

As a result, the battery does not need to add extra strain or pressure in terms of starting the engine in extreme heat. So, genuine oil makes the engine more efficient. and the engine provides more power smoothly. 

Anti-Corrosive Feature

The authentic oils from SUNOCO contain rust and corrosion inhibitors. It works against corrosion and friction. 

Consequently, the chains and gears do not collide with other metal parts. It prevents forming tears from friction. 

So, the engine accessories on the bike last longer. And it is enough for us to save some bucks on these metal parts’ servicing and repairs.

Heat Management

The latest Harley Milwaukee eight engines have overheating issues. And to minimize it, their oil helps. 

Furthermore, their synthetic and non–synthetic oil types can sense when the engines use a lot of heat. 

Based on their reading, these lubricants assist in keeping the engine cool from excessive heat. 

What we love about this heat management is that it keeps the engine functioning for a long period of time.

Read Also: Harley 6 Speed Transmission Oil Capacity: Shift Gears Smoothly

Potential Risks of Using Non-Genuine Oil on Harley Davidson?

Our research says that there are many non-authorized dealers and centers that sell unauthentic oil that isn’t from Harley Davidson. And not using the right oil on their bikes might cause the following potential issues:

  • Non–authentic thicker oils can leak from the gaskets and engine pan. 
  • The wrong oil type can increase the engine temperature. 
  • An overheated engine, due to the wrong oil, consumes more fuel.
  • If the oil does not have an anti-corrosion feature, the engine units will wear out sooner
  • It may reduce, or we are afraid that, may damage the Davidson engines.

Read Also: How To Check Primary Oil On Harley Davidson? [6 Easy Steps]

Some Alternatives of Harley-Davidson Oil

It is not a must that you have to use Harley-Davidson oil for your Harley bikes. Rather, there are two better alternatives available that can keep the engine running at its optimum. And here are their brief overview:

Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40

Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40
Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40

The racing 4T 10W-40 lubricant from Mobil 1 is indeed compatible with longer-running engines. So, the touring line engines from Harley will function efficiently for longer trips. 

It is usual for the engine to raise the temperature during longer rides. And this oil makes sure Harley’s engine can withstand such high temperatures. It maintains the engine’s lifespan. 

AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50

AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50
AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50

AMSOIL Synthetic 20W–50 is one of the recommended alternatives to Harley-Davidson oil because of its super protective feature. Similar to Harley oil, it reduces the friction of the engine’s metal parts. 

As a result, the engine units do not get wear and tear on hot-running bikes. It is efficient for saving maintenance costs.

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Tips for Choosing the Right Oil Type and Viscosity for Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson engines have high-end specs and an improved fit. So, it requires specific oils to provide the maximum output in terms of safety and performance. 

In order to get your hands on the right Harley Davidson or alternative oil, here are some valuable tips:

  • Check what viscosity or thickness your Harley bikes require. If it operates in thin oil, buy lower-viscosity oil. And for thick oil, get yourself the one with a higher viscosity.
  • Before buying any oil, go through the owner’s manual. And check which type of oil it usually recommends. 
  • Avoid getting automotive oils, as they are different from bike oils. 
  • Make sure the lubricant features anti-corrosive inhibitors to protect the engine units. 

FAQs

Harley Davidson has a number of different oil types for bikes. So, you might still have some queries left. Here is our attempt to answer those questions .

What Is The Lifespan Of Harley Davidson Oil?

It depends on the maintenance and what type of oil you generally use. If you use authentic Harley oil, its semi-authentic lubricant will last up to 5,000 to 6,000 miles. And synthetic oil can exceed 7,000 to 1,000 miles. 

Is It Worth Considering Harley Davidson Oil?

For Harley bikes, it is better to use Harley Davidson oil for better heat distribution and smoother performance. If you do not prefer to go for maintenance and servicing often, Harley Oil is the best deal. 

Does Harley Davidson Make Its Own Engine Oil?

No, Harley does not produce their bike oils. Instead, SUNOCO outsources oil for Harley. And there are almost 7,000 gas stations in the USA that supply Harley bike oil across America.

Conclusion 

Once you know who makes Harley Davidson oil, you will realize that Harley has depended on one of the leading manufacturers in the industry for their oil. And we appreciate their move to get their oil produced by SUNOCO. 

This is because SUNOCO not only maintains the upgraded oil feature but also maintains quality. So, if you consider purchasing their oil, head to Harley’s website for genuine oil!

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