I am thinking of changing my oils to synthetic. Would like some input as to what would be best. Bike is an 04 RK.
Thanks for any help.

 

Synth cant hurt! It cost a bit more and depending on your use (how you ride) it might (and usually is) be overkill. Your bike will run cooler which is reason enough for most. My father has been in the business for 37 years and I have worked in the OIL business for 10 years (I blended oil), so OIL runs thru my veins LOL. I use crude based oil in everything except my scoot. Only reason I use it in my bike is because I get a little bit of it for free and it can't hurt especially sine the bike is air cooled. DO NOT worry if you decide to use crude based oil, it work just fine.

 

If you get a chance go to the search tab and enter oil or synthetic. I was... well I am still looking at information on it. Try a search on Mobile 1, redline, amsoil. That will give you a good starting point. Hope that helps.

 

Thank you both, I guess this may take some tome to decide.

Thanks again

 

Dana - don't miss the Oil forum - it has everything you need to read - After reading everything in there I went with Mobil 1 Vtwin, Amsoil severe gear and HD for the primary but of course you may come up with something different - good luck with your search!

 

i have 53K on my 2001 Road King and have used 15W50 Mobil 1 car oil the whole time. under $5 a quart anywhere. latest issue of American iron article by Donnie Peterson of Heavy Duty Cycles relates his thoughts and experience. he uses the Mobil 1 car oil. the major difference in V-Twin and the car oil is the price. LOL. I use synthetic 75W90 gear oil in the tranny and ATF in the primary. ATF is formulated for clutch use and I am very comfortable with it.

 

I went with Mobil I V-twin at the last change with my EG Classic. When I am due again, I plan to go back to regular HD 20/50 Dino oil. I didn't see that the Syn did anything. No higher oil pressure, no lower temps. It just costs more and is sometimes harder to find. I change oil and filter every 2,500 miles, and if I am on the road when a change is due, I don't want to have the hassles of looking for oil.

Regards,

Bill

 

mobil 1 15W50 gold top is everywhere and under $5. the molecules in synthetic are uniform and flow better, don't hang on sharp edges in the engine and don't break down under head as dino oil does. there are 4 harley shops in my vicinity, none under 60 miles though. Wally world is everywhere. i use AC Delco PF-53 filter at $3.50 a pop and they are everywhere. i get increased oil pressure with AC filters on my RK and in my mustang compared to other brands of filters.

 

Im not much of a mechanic or a engineer, but would a oil pressure increase due to a filter change not indicate restricted oil flow? If the oil flows from the pump to the filter and then distributes thru the engine (and im not sure if thats how it works) I would be afraid of actually less flow to the vital parts....not being critical here....just opening a discussion.

 

Got to agree with ZZ on this, if you use an oil filter and get higher oil pressure, there's a difference than one that was speced for the motor. I only use the HD filters, the savings of $9 isn't worth using a filter that isn't made for the engine IMO.

I run Mobil 1 V Twin in the engine
Redline shockproof heavy in the trans
HD primary oil in the primary.

I've noticed better clutch action with the HD primary oil also over the SYN 3 that came in the bike.

What ever you choose, use a gear oil in the trans instead of an engine oil.
Mobil 1 79/90 gear oil is also very good in the trans.