We're talking 2 different things here too. Synthetic vs. Conventional is one thing. Motorcycle oil is another. My only issue with synthetic is people run it too long simply because it's synthetic. You talk about contamination from an air filter but totally ignore the much more likely contamination from fuel and moisture from running an oil too long. Motorcycles by nature and the way they're ridden are prone to this. Bad tunes are not the number one cause of fuel dilution. I'd be willing to bet far more are running wsy too lean than too rich.
But that said, I agree synthetic vs conventional is more a preference thing.
The bigger issue really is motorcycle oil, synthetic and conventional, that's missing beneficial friction modifiers because it's designed for use in motorcycles that share a sump and friction modifiers don't work in wet clutches. Harley's don't share a sump. Why run motorcycle oil in your engine? Especially when it costs more than oil WITH these beneficial friction modifiers. It makes no sense!
The argument is made because mc oil has higher levels of zddp than automotive oil. This is true. But so do race oils because they're not subject to EPA regulations that limit zddp in regular automotive oil. And race oils also have the friction modifiers motorcycle oil doesnt have AND in most cases is cheaper or at the very least comparable to motorcycle oil. I cant explain it any better yet people are going totally off topic here and totally ignoring the obvious!

No wonder my inbox fills with people asking about this. They don't want to deal with all the bs bashing just because they want to run the best TYPE of oil especially if it's cheaper besides. Some of them end up running VR1. Some other race oil. Even synthetic race oil. Or semi synthetic. Anything but motorcycle oil.
I don't even think VR1 is necessarily the best race oil. But the best cost effective one that does the job better than any motorcycle oil. Especially when changed at more appropriate intervals to avoid contamination.
VR1 is way more popular in Harleys than most of you think. Probably the most popular choice by those that have come to the logical conclusion that motorcycle oil is not the best choice here. Synthetic or conventional.

I continually post this because like you, some continually miss the point of what I'm saying and my inbox says there's much more interest and many more people that agree with me than you care to admit. But I get it. No one wants to hear the oil their running is not only a waste of money but not even the best TYPE of oil to run in a motorcycle that doesn't share a sump.

Maybe one of these days someone will actually attempt to answer the question I keep asking and explain why they think motorcycle oil is a good option here. I doubt it tho. 1. Because they can't 2.The hit and run approach makes them feel like they've accomplished something and 3. It's easier to bash something they don't understand or can't explain rather than have any type of intelligent discussion about it and risk losing.

But y'all have a good day. No hard feelings here. I'm a big boy. Just trying to pass along what I've learned to those who are genuinely interested in and open to learning or having an intelligent discussion.

Oh and how are UOAs by independent labs biased? It's about as scientific and UNbiased as it gets. What's biased are tests done by Amsoil that say Amsoil is the best. Wow. Now there's a surprise. I don't quote Valvoline or ask them what the best oil to use is. And yes people actually ask oil manufacturers what oil is the best. Like Amsoil will answer with anything but Amsoil.

 

I'll address yours as well. First off, I dont run run plain automotive oil. I run race oil. It's got high zddp just like motorcycle oil. It's also got friction modifiers your motorcycle oil does not have because your motorcycle oil is for motorcycles that share a sump. Harleys do not.
Moly is one such friction modifier. Good for motor. Bad for wet clutch.
Seems I'm not the one that needs to do research. I've done plenty.
Running motor oil in all 3 holes is not the best option either and is only done by those too lazy to run gear oil in the tranny and primary fluid in the primary.

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you as well.

 

Gunner, you keep saying Harly's dont share a sump. Harlys Sreet line and V-Rod do share a sump, just saying.

 

I see you edited your post so I will too because your conclusion that hd oil contains friction modifiers because of the above is backwards. You should've concluded they don't whichnnof course is what I've been saying.
Also, I don't consider those Harleys but whatever. Just another reason why. Too bad for them they have to use motorcycle oil. Real Harleys don't.
You're grasping at straws to prove me wrong about Harleys and motorcycle oil. Not going to happen. Your time would be better spent learning about oil.
I don't consider the livewire a Harley motorcycle either. All of them are failed experiments.

 

This is how I see it.
Blah blah blah blah blah. My oil is better than your oil. Blah blah blah blah blah blah. Nobody cares! This has issue been discussed on this forum at least ten dozen times already. Blah blah blah blah blah.

 

Then don't read it. Simple huh? Does anyone force you into the oil forums?
Obviously others appreciate the info and get something out of it and obviously DO care. So don't say nobody cares just because you're a nobody that wants to be heard.
Seriously, the only people that look stupid are people who respond with the same drivel you just did in every oil thread rhat pops up cuz guess what...? Nobody cares.

My inbox is full of people who care and have changed the oil they use as a result. Some have posted in this very thread and others like it they care and have changed their oil. All you do is make it necessary for more threads like it because they don't want to sort thru your mindless drivel to get the answers they're looking for. This thread is a perfect example. It got turned into everything but the original topic of the thread by people who had nothing intelligent to add because they know absolutely nothing about it but felt the need to post anyway with the same mindless drivel. Pretty pathetic really.
Sorry if it makes you feel inferior. It's not my intention.

 

And yet you are an expert because you sit in your truck and read oil posts on the internet for 5 hours a day...

 

And mindless drivel poster number 3 heard from. You're slippin' danny boy. What took you so long? Have to read thru the instructions on turning your computer on again?

Correction. Danny is drivel poster number one. I kept track for awhile and he was the first responder to 13 of 20 oil threads.
Gotta give credit where it's due!

 

Wow indeed. I never even quoted anything from any manufacturer, stated one MFR was best or accused you of posting a Valvoline quote.
I did not say that the UOAs were biased, I actually said the internet reports were (reports from ALL of us here)
Go ahead post your rolling eyes. I was just trying to have a civil conversation, and look at both sides, but as usual you have to act like you always do in the end. Good for you an all of your purported "followers" that send to your Inbox.

 

"My inbox is full of people who care and have changed the oil they use as a result" ... So are you marketing or do you have a vested interest in this? ... I remember a product ( years ago ) called Slick 50 which was supposed to revolutionize lubrication .... It's claim was it stuck to everything, and it did ... More than one engine suffered damage as a result of the product sticking and eventually clogging the oil pump pickup screen ... Would boron do the same, maybe, maybe not ??