Question about oils
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,231
Likes: 106
RE: Question about oils
I put Syn3 in at the 1000 mile change. Worst thing I ever did. It got noisy, shifted funny, and the milage went down.
I put Mobile V-Twin in the primary and engine. Mobile synthetic 75/90 in the trans. Some motorcycles like Syn3 some don't. It's not a true synthetic. It's a blend.
I'll never use it again.
I put Mobile V-Twin in the primary and engine. Mobile synthetic 75/90 in the trans. Some motorcycles like Syn3 some don't. It's not a true synthetic. It's a blend.
I'll never use it again.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Question about oils
I can tell you that the HD Syn3 is great stuff, but unless you live in the Sahara desert or Arctic, you don't need it as long as you are changing your oil per HD's schedule. You are mainly changing your oil per their schedule because the additives in the oil deteriorate. The additives in both the conventional and synthetic oils are about the same and have the same life span. The main difference is that the synthetic oil has what we call a more robust 'base oil'. The synthetic base oil won't break down as fast as the base oil used in conventional oil, but the additives deteriorate about the same.
How do I know this? Well, I work for the company that makes HD oil for them. Ironically, I was just talking to our QC/QA manager (a chemist) about this yesterday. He also used to work for AMSOIL years ago so he knows his stuff when it comes to oils, especially synthetics.
He owns a 1999 Sporty and a 2004 Low Rider himself and he says it is not worth using the synthetic unless you are operating under extreme conditions like I described above.
As he said yesterday to me regarding my 2005 Sporty and my new Bob that is on it's way, "If you want to use synthetics, you won't hurt anything, but you also are not going to necessarily see any bang for the extra bucks unless you live in one of the extreme environments".
If you use conventional oil, there is 20W50 for your motor and a different oil for your tranny, they are not interchangable.
Syn3 however, can be used for motor and tranny.
How do I know this? Well, I work for the company that makes HD oil for them. Ironically, I was just talking to our QC/QA manager (a chemist) about this yesterday. He also used to work for AMSOIL years ago so he knows his stuff when it comes to oils, especially synthetics.
He owns a 1999 Sporty and a 2004 Low Rider himself and he says it is not worth using the synthetic unless you are operating under extreme conditions like I described above.
As he said yesterday to me regarding my 2005 Sporty and my new Bob that is on it's way, "If you want to use synthetics, you won't hurt anything, but you also are not going to necessarily see any bang for the extra bucks unless you live in one of the extreme environments".
If you use conventional oil, there is 20W50 for your motor and a different oil for your tranny, they are not interchangable.
Syn3 however, can be used for motor and tranny.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 714
Likes: 1
RE: Question about oils
i just put syn3 in and the shifting does sound louder than before. I think I am just gonna change it too the mobile v-twin. That seems to be the one working best for alot of bikes on here.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 714
Likes: 1
RE: Question about oils
damn you guys make this difficult. SO what is the best approach. Your only gonna change the oil once or twice per season so the money isnt the issue. I just want whats best for the bike. Can anyone give me the answer to that. Thanks
Mike
PS I live in MN it can be in the high 40s to low 50s in the beginning of the riding season and reach the mid 90s with alot of humidity in the middle of summer. That may help to determine the right oil.
Once again thanks
Mike
PS I live in MN it can be in the high 40s to low 50s in the beginning of the riding season and reach the mid 90s with alot of humidity in the middle of summer. That may help to determine the right oil.
Once again thanks
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, MD
RE: Question about oils
Today I changed the tranny oil again because I didn't want the hd oil in my tranny. I used mobile one synthetic 75W90 gear oil, much better! Thanks everyone for the info helped me out alot!!
Off to the Pentagon and wall tomorrow with 900+ other bikers
Will post pics when I return!!
Off to the Pentagon and wall tomorrow with 900+ other bikers
Will post pics when I return!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Question about oils
ORIGINAL: mcurry5
damn you guys make this difficult. SO what is the best approach. Your only gonna change the oil once or twice per season so the money isnt the issue. I just want whats best for the bike. Can anyone give me the answer to that. Thanks
Mike
PS I live in MN it can be in the high 40s to low 50s in the beginning of the riding season and reach the mid 90s with alot of humidity in the middle of summer. That may help to determine the right oil.
Once again thanks
damn you guys make this difficult. SO what is the best approach. Your only gonna change the oil once or twice per season so the money isnt the issue. I just want whats best for the bike. Can anyone give me the answer to that. Thanks
Mike
PS I live in MN it can be in the high 40s to low 50s in the beginning of the riding season and reach the mid 90s with alot of humidity in the middle of summer. That may help to determine the right oil.
Once again thanks
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 3,600
From: SE NC
RE: Question about oils
I'm gonna put Rotella 20-50 in mine, all three. Its made or diesels so its a healthy oil made for the heat and miles.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Question about oils
Just changed the oil in the transmission to the mobile one synthetic 75W90 gear oil a couple of days ago. It had the Syn-3 in it. I can tell a very big difference in the way the trans shifts and the sound when shifting. When I get to 3000 mi I am changing to the Mobil 1 V-twin synthetic. Thanks to everyone for the information.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Question about oils
just use the old 20w50dino oil here myself cant justify the difference in price of synthetic oil .drop the oil every 2k and fig its a 700 dollor savings over the course of 100k put on bike.used the old dino oil in evo for past 100k no troublewhatsoever.