Preferred Oil
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 1
From: North Jersey
RE: Preferred Oil
ORIGINAL: pococj
Time to correct what seems to be a common misconception:
Syn 3 HD oil is a synthetic. It is not a blend. It has never been a blend. It is a Group III synthetic oil, meaning that it is a hydro-cracked "dino" oil. It is considered synthetic because the refining process so changes the molecular structure that it is essentially identical to "regular" synthetic oil. This basically means that each molecule is identical to every other molecule, and all are "long-chain" molecules.
Where many feel Syn 3 falls short is that it doesn't measure up to the better synthetics, especially those in Group IV and Group V. Given that Syn 3's price is usually higher than Mobil 1, redline, Amsoil, etc., it seems foolish to many to spend the extra money on a proven inferior product.
Another aspect of Syn 3 that disturbs many is that it is manufactured by CITGO, a subsidiary of the state-owned oil company of Venezuela, whose current leader wishes ill to the US.
If you want an easy to find spare quart to carry with you, grab some of the Mobil 1 15w-50 car oil. It's a better oil than Syn 3, available just about everywhere, and there isn't enough difference between it and the Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50 to justify the latter's much higher price.
Time to correct what seems to be a common misconception:
Syn 3 HD oil is a synthetic. It is not a blend. It has never been a blend. It is a Group III synthetic oil, meaning that it is a hydro-cracked "dino" oil. It is considered synthetic because the refining process so changes the molecular structure that it is essentially identical to "regular" synthetic oil. This basically means that each molecule is identical to every other molecule, and all are "long-chain" molecules.
Where many feel Syn 3 falls short is that it doesn't measure up to the better synthetics, especially those in Group IV and Group V. Given that Syn 3's price is usually higher than Mobil 1, redline, Amsoil, etc., it seems foolish to many to spend the extra money on a proven inferior product.
Another aspect of Syn 3 that disturbs many is that it is manufactured by CITGO, a subsidiary of the state-owned oil company of Venezuela, whose current leader wishes ill to the US.
If you want an easy to find spare quart to carry with you, grab some of the Mobil 1 15w-50 car oil. It's a better oil than Syn 3, available just about everywhere, and there isn't enough difference between it and the Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50 to justify the latter's much higher price.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Preferred Oil
ORIGINAL: Indianspringsaz
Where is Harley saying not to use Syn 3 in all holes?
Where is Harley saying not to use Syn 3 in all holes?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
RE: Preferred Oil
I can't find Mobile 1 V-twin at any retail location where I live. I've tried Autozone, Advance, Walmart, nobody carries it. I wish they did.
https://www.hdforums.com/m_433337/tm.htm
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 69
From: Granite Falls, NC
RE: Preferred Oil
Do like I did. I became an Amsoil Dealer for $10 for six months. I was able to order the oils at whole sale prices. I ordered cases of oil, and severe gear, and oil filters to last for several years. The severe gear I ordered 3 years ago for $9qt is now $16, and the oil has gone from $6 to $9.50. I still have one case left, so that will do me another 6-10 months.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 69
From: Granite Falls, NC
RE: Preferred Oil
Dina from MoCo called me yesterday because I made made so many complaints about my bike. She ask me if I had them put Syn 3 in all my holes and I said I had. She informed me that I needed to take it back and have them put formula plus in it at their cost. I had aready changed it to Amsoil severe gear 70w-140( I did not let her know). I let dealer do 1st service because I was having so much trouble with the bike I did not won't to mess up warranty. After finding out the MoCo was not going to do anything for me I will now install PC111, Kerker slipons, Arlen Ness Big Sucker, to start making my bike run like a HD is supposed to.