Is this true?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Houston
If that's true, that I won't be putting that commie-made Venezuelan crap in my bike. Ever.
My dealer offers Redline and Royal Purple as an option.
My dealer offers Redline and Royal Purple as an option.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 3
From: Victoria, Australia
It is true that Citgo still has the oil contract for HD. Who would want to support that megalomaniac and buy there oil from the lowest bidder anyway?
Actually Valvoline VR-1 20w-50 racing oil get a very good report on BITOG used oil analysis reports. Wish we could get it in Oz.
I use Heavy Duty diesel oil (designated CI-4) 15w-50 in the cooler weather and couldn't be happier.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
...there really is no reason to worry about oil...Syn 3, Mobil 1, Autozone, Walmart, Fred's discount oil.....as long as an oil is Diesel Rated, and the right viscosity for your climate...it's ok in a Harley...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,957
Likes: 1,988
From: CA
I think it's funny how some people say Syn3 is crap when the only thing they know about oil is what they read on an internet forum.
I've run Syn3 in my 2000 SE Road Glide for the last 130,000 miles without a single problem that could possibly be related to oil. I put in gear drive cams at 57,000 miles, other than that, the motor has never been touched. Still runs great. My wife put 90,000 miles on her Sportster running Syn3 with no problems, traded the Sporty in for an 05 FLHT. It has over 50,000 miles running Syn3 with zero problems. Maybe I'm just lucky.
Or maybe it's a good quality oil that does what it's supposed to.
Some Harley dealers may be greedy, but the engineers that design the motors and specify the oil to be used are not stupid. They would not recomend a "crap" oil that would cause problems and/or warrantee issues.
Are there better oils? Mobil1, amsoil, etc? Maybe, but are they really that much better?
I've run Syn3 in my 2000 SE Road Glide for the last 130,000 miles without a single problem that could possibly be related to oil. I put in gear drive cams at 57,000 miles, other than that, the motor has never been touched. Still runs great. My wife put 90,000 miles on her Sportster running Syn3 with no problems, traded the Sporty in for an 05 FLHT. It has over 50,000 miles running Syn3 with zero problems. Maybe I'm just lucky.
Or maybe it's a good quality oil that does what it's supposed to.
Some Harley dealers may be greedy, but the engineers that design the motors and specify the oil to be used are not stupid. They would not recomend a "crap" oil that would cause problems and/or warrantee issues.
Are there better oils? Mobil1, amsoil, etc? Maybe, but are they really that much better?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 346
Likes: 2
From: Buller Louisiana
Citgo doesn't make oil anymore. I worked at the last lube plant they had. It was shut down in 08. Made some of the best oil you could get but no synthetic. Never produced synthetic. They paid us pretty well when they shut it down here in Louisiana. I bought my Ultra from the payment.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 959
Likes: 5
From: Oswego, IL
I'm sorry this is a BS statement. There is a law that states it is up to the warranty provider to prove the oil in this case was not the correct oil specified by the manufacturer. If Harley said that you have to use Harley oil to keep your warranty good then they would have to provide the oil free.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Death Valley, Arizona
Hugo F*cking Chavez................................No thanks.
Harley Davidson, the most efficient way to turn gas into loud noise without the side affect of horsepower!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
Dito!! Not happening.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
At around $12 per quart the Syn3 stuff is way too pricey. But i became a believer in synthetic oil with my Deuce 10 years ago. I had one of those oil temperature dipsticks and always kept an eye on the temperature. The bike had the regular fossil stuff when I bought it. After switching to synthetic at the first oil change I noticed that the temperature dropped 15 degrees. All else being equal, I attribute the temperature drop to a reduction in friction.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
$11.00 bucks per quart for Chavez special SYN3?? I buy Amsoil for $10.50 per qt.. I change my oil and filter every 5k, which adds up to 2 changes per season roughly. In the overall financial scheme, the diff. between running inexpensive oil vs high quality/higher priced oil is insignificant (The way my wife and Daughter spend my money anyway...LOL) AND...it might save you a bundle of hard earned cash down the road, if you avoid engine repair work...Ride safe.