I'm a complete fanatic about oil. I have been sledding since 1968, and have always run the best oil I can find. I have often spent time and effort researching to determine which is best. Most recently, I was using Amsoil synthetic at 32:1 to 40:1 premix (I don't trust oil pumps - that's how fanatical I am) until I was first introduced to Legend oil about four years ago by Donie Williamson (3 time world champion hill climber). Donie told me he had torn down an engine that had been running on Legend oil for 1,000 miles and the pistons looked brand new. He explained that, unlike synthetics (and Blue Marble, by the way), Legend oil does not glaze the cylinder walls. I used to think glazing was a good thing because it provides protection and less metal to metal friction. What I didn't understand is that it hurts performance like crazy because the rings no longer do their job and you lose compression. Glazing also allows blow-by, which coats the area of the piston under the rings with carbon.
I tried the ZX-2R oil and was "hooked" immediately. There was a small but noticeable power and throttle response improvement, and there was very little smoke or stink after warm up. Each year, upon doing a compression check, I found that I had lost no compression. Since I started using Legend, I've never had to do a top end on either of my sleds, and I ride a lot.
Last year, when the new ZX2-SR oil came out, I decided to give it a try. I was perfectly happy with the older ZX-2R oil. It is is sufficient protection for nearly any sledding application. But like I said, I'm a fanatic about oil, and Mark said the new "S" oil was even better. When it arrived, I called Mark because I was shocked that it was so thin - the viscosity was almost like WD40 or gasoline. I thought there was something wrong with it. He told me not to worry, and assured me that's how it's supposed to be. He explained that it's the fancy high-tech nano additives that actually do the lubrication and that the oil itself is mostly a carrier. I wasn't entirely convinced, but after a season of running it, I can say this oil is FANTASTIC. The S oil is probably 7-8 years ahead of any other oil in technology.
I run this stuff at 50:1 and would feel comfortable at 60-80:1. Mark told me that one customer ran his sled for a whole season with a broken oil pump cable on ZX2-SR and had no problems. It's that good.
People think you need a synthetic for high power turbo applications. But Legend oil will protect any monster motor, and at the same time give you more power and not stink out the guy behind you. I've been saying this for years in these forums, but nobody seemed to be listening. It's nice to see some other folks finally posting about it.
I'd be happy to just keep this as my own little secret, except for two reasons: 1) I want to help Mark succeed in his business so he'll keep making the stuff, and 2) I'm tired of getting stunk out riding behind you guys running synthetics...
No, seriously, I'm not a big "green-save-the-planet" guy, but if I can emit less pollution AND get more power and engine protection at the same time, that's one less thing for the cross country skiers to whine about.
