I am sorry if my post offended you, but telling us that HD designed their oil as a coolant over other oils is a little out there. On the other hand calling me ignorant is also a little out there too.

Some people know what they are talking about, andothers think they know what they are talking about. HD designed their oil to cool over other oils? HD would have to first make their own oil!

 

I am sorry if my post offended you, but telling us that HD designed their oil as a coolant over other oils is a little out there. On the other hand calling me ignorant in another post is also a little out there too.

Some people know what they are talking about, andothers think they know what they are talking about. HD designed their oil to cool over other oils? HD would have to first make their own oil!

 

Well, youdidntoffend me. I'm pretty thick skinned, I can handle it. I was just commenting on the fact that manufacturers take much more into consideration when designing their engines(or anything for that matter) than most consumers may realize... Oil is just one part of the equation. When HD decided to use an air cooled engine, they asuredly tested different oils and chose the one that met their criteria the best, and yes, cost would have been a factor but not the only factor like so many believe..

I dont believe I said you were ignorant. I said that was an ignorant statement. There is a difference.. Hope I didnt offend you..

Yes you are absoloutly correct about people "knowing" what they are talking about.. There is a very broad range there....I would be very interested to see and or hear from a chemist who knows the difference in what HD sugests vs some other brands.. Not a salesman though..

To each his own.

 

Well Red Line is my oil of choice never had a failure yet.Runs cooler . Trans shifts better . primary parts look great

 

Well at least you admit that it's that you feel better, not that it's a rational choice based on some sort of scientific data suggesting that Harley-Davidson oil is better for your engine.

I see no need to go to the dealer to buy oil for my bike when there is plenty on the shelves of every auto parts store.

 

have you read any of the top section articles in the Oil Forum section? There's some good info there. Additionally, check out http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ and look at some of the wealth of info there. Especially look at the UOAs for various oils used in bikes. I see two parts to a discussion such as this - first is that good results are more likely from regular oil & filter changes no matter what the oil, and second is that HD oil is a good oil, but there are as good or better oils available and usually for less money.

 

I havent read too much of the stuff you mentioned above. I have read some of Bob's stuff before and am not really sure of his opinions, I have seen some really questionable things quoted by him.

I totally agree that its more about maint than quality of oil. I have stated many times that we make too much of oil in most cases, there is some really good stuff on the market today. And even the worst of it is better than it was when our engines were designed. I have personally been involved with issues created by using the "popular" oil in a diesel engine because the owner thought he was smarter than the engineer who designed the engine and recomended the oil of choice to the factory.An "aftermarket" company or suppier will produce a product that fits "all" needs for "all" uses to maximize their sales. The only way they can do this is to broaden the limits that some manufacturers require in order to satisfy them all. Essentially, they are giving in some areas and taking in others to make a generic product. Although its not oil, but most of you guys have surely seen spark plugs that run better in one product than another, but the crossover chart says it is the right plug for the job. Its a generic product to fit multiple applications.

All I'm saying is that HD oilmeets the manufacturers criteria better than some others and yes cost is part of that. Is there a better oil? I'm sure there is. What is it? I dont know. Is it worth it? I dont think so.. I may switch to Mobil's MC oil to keep from supporting Venezuala, but I know its a good oil and I know its made for motorcycles. Satisfies my critera pretty well.. Bottom line, we are all just giving opinions, I dont think any of us are chemical engineers with hard facts and the ability to explain them.. Therefore, we are spouting info we have read or heard. If you drink the Amsoil cool-aid, you will believe their test are factual and stand by them as fact. So be it, I dont fall into that particular catagory, but I cant throw stones.. So, good luck..

 

After much research, ( fifteen minutes on the toilet thinking) I have come to the conclusion that you must use HD oil. If you should choose to use another brand of oil on your HD be prepared for what WILL happen. First off your tires will wear out prematurely. Your spark plugs will not spark as strong, HD handling will be severly affected to the point of being unsafe. Now if this is the chance that you want to take by purchasing the wrong brand oil, then be prepared for the ***** G effect that is built into all HDs from the beginning of time. Your choice. Use the right oil or die.

 

Not really

 

Thank you for clarifying. I was worried that someone would believe that their life would be in danger due to not buying HD oil.