What oil in a new M8?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,028
From: Carlsbad, CA
This is a new perspective of mine.
If you put a lot of mileage on your bike, and plan to keep it a while, say over 50,000 miles, then you might want to put in synthetic, and peri m stuff in the primary and transmission.
but, if you run low mileage, don’t get it really hot, and plan to trade it in with low mileage,,,than I’d just do HD Dino in the motor, and Firmula+ in the primary & tranny,
If you put a lot of mileage on your bike, and plan to keep it a while, say over 50,000 miles, then you might want to put in synthetic, and peri m stuff in the primary and transmission.
but, if you run low mileage, don’t get it really hot, and plan to trade it in with low mileage,,,than I’d just do HD Dino in the motor, and Firmula+ in the primary & tranny,
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3,421
Likes: 726
From: Tiffin,Oh
f.u. !!!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 229
From: Saskatchewan
Most people here seem to wait for an oil thread so they can bitch. They could just skip over it but it's kind of like hangn' with the cool crowd.
I found in this case the 2019 manual is not clear. My 2013 clearly stated I could use synthetic oil in all 3 holes. My 2019 manual only recommends gear oil for the transmission. Yet the Formula 1 and Syn3 not to mention 3rd party oils claims they are good for all 3 holes. Confusing.
Since my new Limited has such good smooth crisp shifting when cold and my dealer recommended Formula 1 for the primary and transmission that is what I used for the 1000 mile service. It is still great shifting with barely a "clunk" shifting out of neutral when cold. And, the Formula 1 is half the price of the Amsoil I normally use in the engine. Since a dealer is not that close to me I'll probably stick with this combination I'll go back to Amsoil in all 3 holes if I have too. Simply because I can buy it locally.
I also have the service manual, it seems to be more of a detailed owners manual now and recommends consulting the dealer for some maintenance procedures now.
I found in this case the 2019 manual is not clear. My 2013 clearly stated I could use synthetic oil in all 3 holes. My 2019 manual only recommends gear oil for the transmission. Yet the Formula 1 and Syn3 not to mention 3rd party oils claims they are good for all 3 holes. Confusing.
Since my new Limited has such good smooth crisp shifting when cold and my dealer recommended Formula 1 for the primary and transmission that is what I used for the 1000 mile service. It is still great shifting with barely a "clunk" shifting out of neutral when cold. And, the Formula 1 is half the price of the Amsoil I normally use in the engine. Since a dealer is not that close to me I'll probably stick with this combination I'll go back to Amsoil in all 3 holes if I have too. Simply because I can buy it locally.
I also have the service manual, it seems to be more of a detailed owners manual now and recommends consulting the dealer for some maintenance procedures now.
Last edited by Sparkee...; Jun 21, 2019 at 06:32 PM.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3,421
Likes: 726
From: Tiffin,Oh
Thank you for your serious / courteous input! When I started this thread, my main curiosity was just how many people stay with basic HD 20/50. I'm pretty sure that's what I'm gonna do.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
I use Amsoil vtwin 20w50 in the engine, formula+ in the transmission & primary. Because the engine performs better with high mileage on synthetic and anything else in the transmission & primary is overkill. H-D 20w50 is made by Citgo and I’m not in favor of Chavez.
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