Oil Change Needed Oil Recommendations?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 600
From: The 1980's
In all my years of ownership, all I've ever used is H-D regular old 20/50. I figure with an oil change every 3k, the oil is far from worn out.
I haven't seen fit to spend the extra money on synthetic with the frequency of my oil changes along with riding conditions and riding style. I simply do not horse my bikes that often. But others might want an increased change interval or operate in more extreme temperatures and go for synthetic.
You're going to get a different answer from just about every single person.
I haven't seen fit to spend the extra money on synthetic with the frequency of my oil changes along with riding conditions and riding style. I simply do not horse my bikes that often. But others might want an increased change interval or operate in more extreme temperatures and go for synthetic.
You're going to get a different answer from just about every single person.
Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
Likes: 1,646
From: SF Bay area
Spectro 25-60 dino oil is the best I've tried, and I've tried a lot.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
I am doing my maintenance on my Softail for winter storage, it has a 95' ci and cams I've been using Royal Purple 20w50 but Its been seemingly hard to come across now and I've read its not the best for my motor due to overheating. Do you guys have any recommendations?
I can't remember the last time I heard/read about a motor failure caused by the brand/type of oil.....
Pick a quality oil, change it at recommended intervals, and 99.9% of the engines will go many, many miles.... There is a section in the owner's manual, stating weights and API ratings. Other than the shameless plug for HD oils in that section, follow the recommendations for "other than Harley oils" and you'll be fine.
That being said, there are two main camps. Dino oil fans and synthetic oil fans. While both will/have worked well for years.... I subscribe to the synthetic oil camp. Mostly because it's an air cooled engine, and synthetic oils break down at higher temps than dino oils... it gives me peace of mind..
As far as the "this oil is the best because......",well, if I was racing a NASCAR engine or drag racing a Pro Stock bike, those differences might matter... IMHO, it's not that big of a difference on a street bike, a regular maintenance schedule is more important.....
Pick an oil for whatever reason lets you sleep at night, follow the maintenance schedule, and ride!
Last edited by hattitude; Nov 25, 2016 at 11:57 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
The reason everyone thinks this is so funny is if you did a search you would be reading till Christmas. Royal Purple is great oil, no need to change unless you really can't get it anymore! I use Amsoil 20-50 but anything mentioned on this post so far will work great! A what oil is best question will give you days of reading pleasure on any vehicle enthusiast forum!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
There needs to be a Noob thread....! really, what oil should I use, what weight at what time of year, how do I know if my battery is good, how much air do I put in my tires, what spark plugs should I use???????
REALLY? jeesh - should I flush the toilet after a #2?
C`mon people if you need to ask questions as mentioned above you shouldn't even be riding a motorcycle.
REALLY? jeesh - should I flush the toilet after a #2?
C`mon people if you need to ask questions as mentioned above you shouldn't even be riding a motorcycle.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 69
Likes: 94
From: Lebanon, IN
Me too. It's easy to find and less expensive that Royal Purple. YMMV.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
There needs to be a Noob thread....! really, what oil should I use, what weight at what time of year, how do I know if my battery is good, how much air do I put in my tires, what spark plugs should I use???????
REALLY? jeesh - should I flush the toilet after a #2?
C`mon people if you need to ask questions as mentioned above you shouldn't even be riding a motorcycle.
REALLY? jeesh - should I flush the toilet after a #2?
C`mon people if you need to ask questions as mentioned above you shouldn't even be riding a motorcycle.
You must be a NOOB too.....
Apparently you don't realize that you don't have to click on any thread you don't want to read, or will just upset you so much........
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
I got your Noob....!
Clearly you need to defend a thread like this because you are one of the ones who needs told your bikes oil type, how to access your battery & instructions on how to put air in the front tire......
You`re right I don't have to CLICK on any thread I don't want too.........But - its these type of threads that take up space on a forum that we all could do with out!!!!