synthetic or non synthetic
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I switch to synthetic and there is a noticeable heat decrease. I also got seeping around the gaskets and a louder transmission and top end. While I do believe synthetic is a little better for an engine, I don’t think it is that much better, so I’m thinking of going back to dino. Except for the heat, my engine just seem to like dino oil better. My bike is an 02 RKC. If I get a new bike, I would stick with syn.
By the way, I would break in a bike with dino oil for at least a 1000 miles and it won’t hurt a thing to go 2500 miles to make sure. Don’t need to be in that much of hurry. The risk is finding yourself eeding to add a quart every 3000 to 5000 miles.
Beary
By the way, I would break in a bike with dino oil for at least a 1000 miles and it won’t hurt a thing to go 2500 miles to make sure. Don’t need to be in that much of hurry. The risk is finding yourself eeding to add a quart every 3000 to 5000 miles.
Beary
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 586
Likes: 48
From: Saint Augustine, FL
I think its 6 & 1/2 dozen the other...I started with regular stuff - bike ran great. Switched to Royal Purple - quieted it down a bunch and ran great; put in AMS and its a bit noisy now - but still runs great. I don't do the "regular" oil changes based on mileage like some folks swear on their life you HAVE to do; I change it in the beginning of summer, once a year & check it once in awhile. And I put plenty 'o miles on it...not recommended, I know...but it works for me just fine.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
I believe synthetic is the best choice. I use 15W 50 Mobile I in the primary and crankcase and use 75W 90 Mobile I Synthetic gear oil in the tranny. This helps with the 5th gear noise on the 6 speeds.
OK convince me to change to synthetics .. I have used dino with great results , except for the short period noted above when I used Golden Spectro , which I believe was a semi synthetic .. Is it even still around ??
I know synth cleans crap up better .. But with the 08 here , whats a few more dollars on oil .. On a 5k oil drop , are you changing the filter at 2500 ?
I know synth cleans crap up better .. But with the 08 here , whats a few more dollars on oil .. On a 5k oil drop , are you changing the filter at 2500 ?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 0
From: Hoboken, New Jersey
I am running Red-Line full synthetic 20-50 in my 03' Screamin' Eagle Deuce, and Red-Line Heavy Shockproof in the trans, Red-Line primary lube (IIRC called MTL). The improvement was fantastic.....less noise, easy to shift and find N, runs much cooler....but I still dump it at 2500 just because the type of miles I put on the Deuce are considered severe duty by most.
As for my 08 Streetglide.....I changed the oil and filter at 500 miles...1000 miles, and will switch over to Red-Line in all three holes at 2500 miles. I like to give the internals a good chance to wear in before I switch over to a full synthetic.
As for my 08 Streetglide.....I changed the oil and filter at 500 miles...1000 miles, and will switch over to Red-Line in all three holes at 2500 miles. I like to give the internals a good chance to wear in before I switch over to a full synthetic.