HD oil vs any other oil

[bgfish2]

I have only been riding for a few years, I have a 2011 TG and have only used HD oils in all 3 holes. You guys all have more time in the saddle than I do need to know what you use.

 

[rhino 2]

I have only been riding for a few years, I have a 2011 TG and have only used HD oils in all 3 holes. You guys all have more time in the saddle than I do need to know what you use.

Thats what i use... 33 thousand miles on my 11T/G, But i'll bet you'll get quite a few different [Strong]opinions... :laugh:

 

[Gorilla]

A very opinionated subject. Don't know if we want to go there any more. A lot has all ready been voiced on the subject without an out come.

 

[Phu Cat]

This subject has been covered very, very heavily on a Harley board I frequent where many of the guys run shops and quite a few are or have been in the racing business. This is what I've learned from them: Change your oil and filter per the bikes manual using the viscosity specified. The least expensive synthetic oil will easily out perform the best dino oil. In an emergency, diesel oil can be substituted for synthetic but it's a good idea to change the oil in the near future. Most oils additive packages are so close that if any one gave as much advantage as their ad claims they'd have a lock on the lube oil market. No lube oil will make your engine make more horsepower. Ever!

Personally, I started riding on a Sears Alstate moped when I was 12 and am 66 now. In all my years of working on engines I have never seen an oil related failure. Any oil is better than none at all. But as far as Syn three goes, there are reasons lube oil companies make different lube products for piston rings, gears, chains, bearings, hydraulics, etc, etc. Different applications require different shear strength, melt point, viscosity etc. I prefer to use the lubricant intended for the purpose it was intended for: Tranny oil in the gear box, engine oil in the engine, differential oil in the shaft drive if you have one and primary oil (or 20 wt non detergent) in the primary if you have a dry sump. But it's your bike, your call.

Phu Cat

 

[dirtdobber]

Well put.
Syn 3 is good oil. I use engine oil in the engine, primary oil in the primary, and transmission oil in the tranny, thicker than motor oil.

 

[FRR]

I rode Harleys for 20 yrs. Only used Harley oil. Harley always claimed it was "better". Never able to explain why. I was silly. Over priced. Never knew anyone who had an engine failure because of oil quality. Just my experience.

 

[irmagoo]

yep

 

[RTwing]

Keep in mind HD does not make oil nor does Honda or any other manufacture. What you are getting is standard re-branded oil at a grossly inflated price.

In general any synthetic oil is more than adequate for an air cooled engines and non-syn oil is still a blend of natural crude and synthetic.

In general oil is just oil

 

[Chazzman]

I have owned several Harleys and I remember in 1999 conversing with HD techs about my recommendation of Amsoil. The all swore the roller bearings would slide, I just would laugh and say come on guys you are smarter than that. HD had dealers and yes even Techs brainwashed because money and greed wanted to sell their cheap crude oil for $5 a quart. When Donnie Peterson, a well know V-Twin builder started promoting full synthetic oil to the degree of getting well published bike mags to feature his articles; Bang HD gave in and started making their own Semi-synthetic branded oil. The best thing you can do for a HD engine is run full synthetic oil. According to the long standing Magnusos Moss Warranty Act we know no manafacture can force you to use their oil unless they provide it at no charge. You just have to use the same weight and insure the oil meets ore exceeds the recommended specs. I just looked at a 5.3 GM engine torn down with 150,000 miles and it looked brand new. He ran Amsoil and changed it every 5,000 miles. I have been using full synthetic for 30 years in all my bikes and cars. I only ran Hd oil in my primarys.