Oil change
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 166
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From: goodyear
I have asked several harley mechanics this same question and a instructor at mmi in the harley course.The unanimous response from them was that they suggest good old fashioned petroleum based oil every 2500 to 3000 miles.Some have told me they do not recommend the synthetic and to go 5000 miles at your own risk!None of them used any synthetic so they said.For $35 every 3k you cant go wrong imo.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I have asked several harley mechanics this same question and a instructor at mmi in the harley course.The unanimous response from them was that they suggest good old fashioned petroleum based oil every 2500 to 3000 miles.Some have told me they do not recommend the synthetic and to go 5000 miles at your own risk!None of them used any synthetic so they said.For $35 every 3k you cant go wrong imo.
If you live in a warmer climate, synthetic can be a blessing on hot summer days. I don't just make this stuff up, I have my oil analyzed to see what it's really doing. I'm at 92,000 miles on the bike and it's still running like a top.
Here's a copy of my last oil analysis, done by Blackstone labs at 78,675 miles, with 4500 miles on the oil. My bike has been run solely on Mobil-1 15w-50 (automotive) synthetic since new. If you don't understand all of the numbers, the comments speak for themselves.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 151
Likes: 3
From: Kentucky
Your asking for a bunch of different opinions. Follow your owners manual. If it says 5,000 miles for say engine oil, then 5,000 miles change it or sooner. I for example am on my second Harley. The manual calls for 5,000 miles engine oil changes. Longer on transmission and primary. I'll change all three at or before 5,000 miles using Mobile 1 V-twin 20W - 50 oil in all three boxes. Now if I only ride say 3,500 miles this year before winter, Ill change all three boxes in the spring before I ride again. Some will say to change it before storage.
Using conventional oil and changing at 2,500 miles sure won't hurt and will ensure your oil is doing it's job to the fullest. Oil's job is to lubricate and to contain dirt, gas, crud and hang on to these bad things till you drain it. Some oils additive packages can do a better job than others. Do a lot of research for yourself and come up with an oil that will suit your needs. Are you a high speed rider, stop and go rider, cruiser, etc. I hope this helps.
Using conventional oil and changing at 2,500 miles sure won't hurt and will ensure your oil is doing it's job to the fullest. Oil's job is to lubricate and to contain dirt, gas, crud and hang on to these bad things till you drain it. Some oils additive packages can do a better job than others. Do a lot of research for yourself and come up with an oil that will suit your needs. Are you a high speed rider, stop and go rider, cruiser, etc. I hope this helps.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 778
Likes: 4
From: Opposite Side of the Planet
I live in the country and run mostly country roads and ocassional city riding but not to a great extent. Think I will do my oil changes every 2500 and servive at every 5000 as the manual suggest. So if I do develop an engine issue it shouldn't be lubrication issues. lol. Appreciate the advice. Thanks.
There is no benefit changing oil every 2500 miles vice every 5000 miles.
I too don't know why you asked. Everyone's opinion (except yours) is to follow the service manual/operators manual and do it every 5000 miles.
Since you obviously made up your mind, again, asking for opinions and ignoring them all is wasting everyone's time.
Do what you want, don't ask people for opinions if you have already made up your mind about something.
As far as the mechanics and MMI Harley instructor goes I find it hard to believe they would say that...can you tell what shops the mechanics work at so we can avoid these guys?
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