Syn oil Vs Reg oil
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
BTW, I was not lashing out at the OP or the other guys who seemed to be taking in the myths about synthetic oil, but rather the people who started it (HD service people), all of which should know better. No mechanic, service writer, or even salesman should be perpetrating stories as ridiculous as this without researching first. Not everyone is an expert on oil or wants to be, but someone like an HD mechanic that utters such nonsense to a customer without researching the topic first is irresponsible. Customers should be able to trust these people, and when they spread baseless myths such as this without knowing what they're talking about they are violating that trust.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 0
I try hard not to get too exuberant on the forums and just state facts as I see them, but this skating myth and much of what transpires in oil threads just gets my dander up. I haven't heard it mentioned in quite a while and like smallpox I thought it just might be extinct by now, killed off by rational thought and reality. Obviously not.
BTW, I was not lashing out at the OP or the other guys who seemed to be taking in the myths about synthetic oil, but rather the people who started it (HD service people), all of which should know better. No mechanic, service writer, or even salesman should be perpetrating stories as ridiculous as this without researching first. Not everyone is an expert on oil or wants to be, but someone like an HD mechanic that utters such nonsense to a customer without researching the topic first is irresponsible. Customers should be able to trust these people, and when they spread baseless myths such as this without knowing what they're talking about they are violating that trust.
BTW, I was not lashing out at the OP or the other guys who seemed to be taking in the myths about synthetic oil, but rather the people who started it (HD service people), all of which should know better. No mechanic, service writer, or even salesman should be perpetrating stories as ridiculous as this without researching first. Not everyone is an expert on oil or wants to be, but someone like an HD mechanic that utters such nonsense to a customer without researching the topic first is irresponsible. Customers should be able to trust these people, and when they spread baseless myths such as this without knowing what they're talking about they are violating that trust.
Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Oil temperature
I just got a 2010 Fatboy lo, still in the break-in period. I am concerned abut the temperature, so I put in a temperature reading dipstick. Today the outside temp was 75 degress and my oil temperature got to 272 degrees during a few start/stops and slower city driving. On the highway I got the temp down to 248 degress. The outside temperature can get in the hundreds here in Louisiana. Should I get this checked out? Is using synthetic oil bad (cause I hear it will bring the running temp down). I can live with heat radiating on my legs, but I can't live with hurting my baby.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 4
From: Arizona
I just read the first 2 pages so forgive me if I am way off base.
This is some crazy talk. Put synthetic oil in your bikes and feel good that you are running a superior product. My recipe is as follows.
Amsoil 20W-50 in the 107" motor
Amsoil 75W-110 in the trans
Amsoil Super Shift in the primary
This is, I feel, the absolute best lubrication package for my bike.
This is some crazy talk. Put synthetic oil in your bikes and feel good that you are running a superior product. My recipe is as follows.
Amsoil 20W-50 in the 107" motor
Amsoil 75W-110 in the trans
Amsoil Super Shift in the primary
This is, I feel, the absolute best lubrication package for my bike.
Last edited by Indianspringsaz; Nov 8, 2009 at 09:00 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 197
52 pilot,
Your oil temps are in the safe range and as your engine wears in it will decrease somewhat. I am amused at some of the baseless stories about using synthetic lubricants in anything this day and time. Maybe the "techs" in the OP are looking for that premature top end rebuild from "misrepresenting the truth" about synthetics. That's about the only reason for such a thing! The truth is synthetics lubricate better, last longer and don't oxidize anywhere near as fast as dino. If you want to see lubricants abused, check out a high horsepower 18 wheeler hauling OD freight! In my last truck, a 600 horsepower Cat, switching to synthetic oil lowered the crankcase temps by 60 degrees! Keep in mind that's pulling loads in the 150-200K weight range day in and day out. That particular engine had 750K miles on it with only a valve adjustment every 100K miles. No hard parts were ever replaced. For my $$$ it is 100% synthetics made specifically for the application. ( engine oil in the engine and trans oil in the gearbox)
Just MY $.02
Your oil temps are in the safe range and as your engine wears in it will decrease somewhat. I am amused at some of the baseless stories about using synthetic lubricants in anything this day and time. Maybe the "techs" in the OP are looking for that premature top end rebuild from "misrepresenting the truth" about synthetics. That's about the only reason for such a thing! The truth is synthetics lubricate better, last longer and don't oxidize anywhere near as fast as dino. If you want to see lubricants abused, check out a high horsepower 18 wheeler hauling OD freight! In my last truck, a 600 horsepower Cat, switching to synthetic oil lowered the crankcase temps by 60 degrees! Keep in mind that's pulling loads in the 150-200K weight range day in and day out. That particular engine had 750K miles on it with only a valve adjustment every 100K miles. No hard parts were ever replaced. For my $$$ it is 100% synthetics made specifically for the application. ( engine oil in the engine and trans oil in the gearbox)
Just MY $.02
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
To the op, ask the guy who told you this to show you some type of proof. I'll bet you he can't. Anybody who knows how bearings work knows this is BS. Bearings are designed to carry a load of some type, whether it be radial or axual. over the years many tests have been done on motor oils. It is a proven fact synthetic oil is better lubrication. It doesn't break down under pressure and heat. It isn't effected by moisture like reg. oil. you can go longer between changes. I have noticed a lot of Dealers are now selling Amsoil. The dealer where I have my bike serviced gives customers their choice of Syn3 or Amsoil for the same price. I run Amsoil 20W50 in my 09 egc I use Amsoil 75W110 Severe gear in the 6 speed tranny. I like it better than Belray. Do the test yourself, check your temp with reg oil. Then switch to Syn and I gaurantee you will see the temp drop. JMO
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
Wow 2003 all over again. That's all that was talked about back then. Is Syn too slippery? Will it void my warranty? Sorry guys but this subject is real old. Use the syn oil and be happy.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 5
From: Central Calif
not another oil thread
but I'll keep running Amsoil in all three holes -- 60,000 miles can't be a bad thing and my cam chain adjuster had about 50 percent wear at 52,000 miles -- but since I was in there, I changed it anyway.
Maybe the Harley Tech was referring to Harley Synthetic -- in that case I would surely change it. In my opinion Harley Dino is superior to Harley Synthetic
but I'll keep running Amsoil in all three holes -- 60,000 miles can't be a bad thing and my cam chain adjuster had about 50 percent wear at 52,000 miles -- but since I was in there, I changed it anyway.
Maybe the Harley Tech was referring to Harley Synthetic -- in that case I would surely change it. In my opinion Harley Dino is superior to Harley Synthetic