Car oil vs Motorcycle oil
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,682
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From: Snow Hill, NC
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
i've been riding for 28 years, and have logged many a mile on every bike i've owned.
i;ve used car oil, diesel oil, and motorcycle oil and have yet to be able to tell a difference.
the only thing i seem to wear out is tires.
i;ve used car oil, diesel oil, and motorcycle oil and have yet to be able to tell a difference.
the only thing i seem to wear out is tires.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,682
Likes: 9,162
From: Snow Hill, NC
20w50 is 20w50 is 20w50 is 20w50...difference is dino or syn other than that??? yeah there is test and tolerances bla bla bla ...if you change your oil every 3-5 thousand miles it really don't make a rat's *** difference...It's an engine only... the stuff doesn't touch a clutch or gears...
Seasoned HDF Member
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From: South Carolina
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,990
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From: Marina del Rey
89FLSTC, I had an '89 FXRS-SP, which I bought new (that manual is also 22 years old), and I know w/ great certainty that it did not say: "Whatever. Use any brand or type of motor oil you can find." That manual (and bike) I no longer have, but it would have recommended grades and types of oils which fell within a very specific range.
OK, what does your manual say?
OK, what does your manual say?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,093
Likes: 12,638
From: South Carolina
It says " Use proper grade of oil for the lowest temperature expected before next oil change period".
Harley-Davidson Type Viscosity Harley Davidson Rating
H.D.Multigrade SAE 20W50 HD 240
H.D. Regular Heavy SAE50 HD 240
H.D.Extra Heavy SAE 60 HD 240
Nowhere does it call out any SAE, API, JASO or ILSAC specification.
The factory will not say what spec oil to use, they just specify what weight oil to use. They want people to be afraid to use anything other than Harley oil.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: texas
The "Type" of oil they specify is Harley-Davidson oil.
It says " Use proper grade of oil for the lowest temperature expected before next oil change period".
Harley-Davidson Type Viscosity Harley Davidson Rating
H.D.Multigrade SAE 20W50 HD 240
H.D. Regular Heavy SAE50 HD 240
H.D.Extra Heavy SAE 60 HD 240
Nowhere does it call out any SAE, API, JASO or ILSAC specification.
The factory will not say what spec oil to use, they just specify what weight oil to use. They want people to be afraid to use anything other than Harley oil.
It says " Use proper grade of oil for the lowest temperature expected before next oil change period".
Harley-Davidson Type Viscosity Harley Davidson Rating
H.D.Multigrade SAE 20W50 HD 240
H.D. Regular Heavy SAE50 HD 240
H.D.Extra Heavy SAE 60 HD 240
Nowhere does it call out any SAE, API, JASO or ILSAC specification.
The factory will not say what spec oil to use, they just specify what weight oil to use. They want people to be afraid to use anything other than Harley oil.
If it is necessary to add oil and Harley-Davidson oil is not available, use an oil certified for diesel engines. Acceptable diesel engine oil designations include: CF-4,CG-4,CH-4 and CI-4. Of course they want you to switch back to Harley davidson oil as soon as you can get to the dealer to spend some more money.
Last edited by dynarule; Nov 14, 2010 at 06:47 AM.