Amsoil experience
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 659
Likes: 2
From: Central Ohio
Now my head's spinning. Three different bikes with Amzoil 20w50 in the motor and three break downs. I know what they are talking about with the watery black looking broke down oil. I have seen it before. After I purchased my RK used from the original owner, I took it home and drained all the fluids. During the last service before I bought the bike, the stealer put syn3 in all the holes a few months before according to the paper work. The oil I drained out of the crank and especially the primary looked this way. Went with Amzoil and never used syn3. HD filter though everytime. I drain my oil every 7500 miles or so, but the oil is still really dark. Not watery, but dark. Someone said earlier their oil drains out light brown.
Last edited by MrHog; Jul 30, 2010 at 09:15 PM.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Now my head's spinning. Three different bikes with Amzoil 20w50 in the motor and three break downs. I know what they are talking about with the watery black looking broke down oil. I have seen it before. After I purchased my RK used from the original owner, I took it home and drained all the fluids. During the last service before I bought the bike, the stealer put syn3 in all the holes a few months before according to the paper work. The oil I drained out of the crank and especially the primary looked this way. Went with Amzoil and never used syn3. HD filter though everytime. I drain my oil every 7500 miles or so, but the oil is still really dark. Not watery, but dark. Someone said earlier their oil drains out light brown.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 355
Likes: 7
From: Georgia
I am in the middle of a 5000 mile trip from Georgia to Washington state and return on an '09 Ultra Classic. I put in Amsoil 20-50 just before I left home and just checked and it looks like new oil. The trip out included many hours cruising at 80 MPH in temps over 90 degrees with no problems at all. Without an analysis of the oil I would question the conclusion that the Amsoil was at fault when it is entirely possible there were other things involved that may have caused the problems cited.
Ride safe.
Steve.
Ride safe.
Steve.
Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
I am in the middle of a 5000 mile trip from Georgia to Washington state and return on an '09 Ultra Classic. I put in Amsoil 20-50 just before I left home and just checked and it looks like new oil. The trip out included many hours cruising at 80 MPH in temps over 90 degrees with no problems at all. Without an analysis of the oil I would question the conclusion that the Amsoil was at fault when it is entirely possible there were other things involved that may have caused the problems cited.
Ride safe.
Steve.
Ride safe.
Steve.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
I'm having a hard time believing that it was just a case of bad oil, pardon the pun. NO OIL should be in that stage of breakdown after only 1,400 miles under normal riding conditions and I'm not buying the "bad batch" theory either. There had to be something else going on, going wrong in the motor.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
I'm having a hard time believing that it was just a case of bad oil, pardon the pun. NO OIL should be in that stage of breakdown after only 1,400 miles under normal riding conditions and I'm not buying the "bad batch" theory either. There had to be something else going on, going wrong in the motor.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 762
Likes: 1
Dino all the way for this guy! Tried and true in Harleys for decades! Everyone that thinks synthetic oil (and especially Amsoil) is so great in Harleys may change their tune in the years to come when enough of these stories surface.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: SoCal Desert
Wow, sounds like some bad luck man. I've used Amsoil for about 20 years in both street and dirt bikes, and have always had amazing results -- even when the temps exceed the 115 mark. I have yet to find any oil that not only protects against wear, but also noticeably lowers the engine temps more than what I've experienced with Amsoil.
Anyway, good luck with your Syn3.
-Dusty
Anyway, good luck with your Syn3.
-Dusty
I have been very happy with Amsoil. In my truck, quads that I race, and now, as of today at 3000 miles in my Harley. I believe it may be due to the filter. I know HD filters, as stated before have the drain/or bi pass. Ive read articles that say use whatever oil, etc. They recommend using a HD filter. We shall see what occurs utnil my 5000 service or after, thats if I dont by a 2011 bike.