Synthetic REALLY Necessary?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
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From: Ohio
Synthetic REALLY Necessary?
I posted this in another thread, but I'm really curious as to the benefits of synthetics in these conditions. If you NEVER go more than 2,000-2,500 miles before changing oil, what's the benefit of synthetic oil in a TC 96" engine other than running a little cooler?
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: texas
Synthetic oil will do nothing but drain your wallet.All this talk about longer drain inter, is just nuts. Think of it this way, if you leave that oil in for 5+k its still contaminated with particles that the filter cant remove no matter how good the oil MIGHT BE! Besides, have you ever heard of an engine failure using Dino oil? Engine failure comes from not changing your oil on regular basis or from not having oil in the first place. Save yourself some $$$ and keep using what has been proven for generations.
I know, im about to get atacked by the AMSOIL police for this post.
I know, im about to get atacked by the AMSOIL police for this post.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Near Tacoma
Yes, HD is comfortable with Dino oil, the only oil recomended by the factory is HD360 or Diesel oil every 5k, not Syn3, not Amsoil not Mobil 1.......
If it's good enough for them it's good enough for me.
If it's good enough for them it's good enough for me.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
well as long as nobody want's to reply to the question, I'll try. the main benefits of synthetic oil are higher detergent and anti wear ingredients then dino oil. There generally able to withstand higher temps without breaking down and sludging up your motor. In colder temps they flow better on startups, which means oil gets to the parts faster thus doing what oil is supposed to do. Alot of people claim they have lower oil temps with syn oil over dino oil. The higher detergent additives allow for longer change intervals, with moly, zinc, and phosphorus giving it the higher anti wear properties for extended changes. If you check out 'Bob is th oil guy's' web site there are voa [virgin oil analysis] and uoa [ used oil analysis] posted so you can see what any given oil starts out as, and how it's held up after actual use. that really should help anyone make an informed decision which oil to use. Sure synthetic oil will generally cost more then dino oil and it sure seems alot of people don't mind paying more for not having to change their oil every month.,,
Last edited by big cahuna; Mar 24, 2009 at 03:55 PM.
I think I've lost the will.....................................
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
Is it necessary, NO. While it may have some benifits with good temp control of the oil and regular changes the bike will last just fine with dino. The only case I know of where synthetic is necessary is in a jet turbine engine. There maybe other special applications where dino won't work out but HD is not one of those.
Ron
Ron
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: texas
well as long as nobody want's to reply to the question, I'll try. the main benefits of synthetic oil are higher detergent and anti wear ingredients then dino oil. There generally able to withstand higher temps without breaking down and sludging up your motor. In colder temps they flow better on startups, which means oil gets to the parts faster thus doing what oil is supposed to do. Alot of people claim they have lower oil temps with syn oil over dino oil. The higher detergent additives allow for longer change intervals, with moly, zinc, and phosphorus giving it the higher anti wear properties for extended changes. If you check out 'Bob is th oil guy's' web site there are voa [virgin oil analysis] and uoa [ used oil analysis] posted so you can see what any given oil starts out as, and how it's held up after actual use. that really should help anyone make an informed decision which oil to use. Sure synthetic oil will generally cost more then dino oil and it sure seems alot of people don't mind paying more for not having to change their oil every month.,,
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
From what I have heard, the only advantages of synthetics are:
1. You can go longer between oil changes. Oil doesn't wear out, the filter does. When the filter is no longer doing it's job, the oil viscosity is lowered because of it being dirty. Not that I would do it with my bike, but the military does not change oil. They change filters, then top off the oil instead. If the military trusts their lives with that machinery, it's got to be OK for my bike.
2. You can use certain synthetics in all 3 cases, instead of having 2 different lubricants. Seems to be a good reason, but it's not going to be my deciding factor.
3. I know no performance advantages other than cooler temp startup. In cooler temps, use a different weight of dino to resolve that.
I have also noticed a disadvantage to synthetic, other than the price. Synthetic, by nature is thinner than dino. This helps in cooler temps, but it also causes a lot more noticable engine/drivetrain noise in all Harley's. It was definately noticable on my 07 1200C, and because of that, I will not be using it with my new FXDF.
1. You can go longer between oil changes. Oil doesn't wear out, the filter does. When the filter is no longer doing it's job, the oil viscosity is lowered because of it being dirty. Not that I would do it with my bike, but the military does not change oil. They change filters, then top off the oil instead. If the military trusts their lives with that machinery, it's got to be OK for my bike.
2. You can use certain synthetics in all 3 cases, instead of having 2 different lubricants. Seems to be a good reason, but it's not going to be my deciding factor.
3. I know no performance advantages other than cooler temp startup. In cooler temps, use a different weight of dino to resolve that.
I have also noticed a disadvantage to synthetic, other than the price. Synthetic, by nature is thinner than dino. This helps in cooler temps, but it also causes a lot more noticable engine/drivetrain noise in all Harley's. It was definately noticable on my 07 1200C, and because of that, I will not be using it with my new FXDF.