Come Out Of the Closet
Novice
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
I have run the Valvoline 20w50 dino motorcycle oil for years in the motor and HD oils in primary and trans. Recently I tried the Valvoline in all three holes resulting in stiff shifts and clutch slippage on hard acceleration. I just made the switch to Mobil 1 20w50 synthetic in the motor at 68K miles and am back to Formula+ in trans and primary (adjusted clutch and no slip).
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 536
Likes: 0
Ur avatar is great but feel free to post ur feelings...we welcome all at this clubhouse...
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: maple valley WA
All these posts make me wonder what your actually running:
Drain out most of the dino oil.... dump in syn 3... change your mind.... Dump most of that out and put in the next brand. Seems like it would take an oil change and then another in a couple hundred miles to actually get the mixture out and know what the particular oil does for your bike.
Drain out most of the dino oil.... dump in syn 3... change your mind.... Dump most of that out and put in the next brand. Seems like it would take an oil change and then another in a couple hundred miles to actually get the mixture out and know what the particular oil does for your bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
I think there are a few reasons that some talk ill against SYN3;
Until very recently SYN3 was not a full synthetic but contained dino with its molecules altered (I think it is call hydro-cracking) to have similar characteristics of synthetic. The deep pocketed Mobil oil brought them to court to force HD to stop calling it synthetic but the court ruled in HD’s favor. I think some feel that Citgo & HD are cheating by calling it synthetic regardless of how some judge ruled.
Another reason some don’t like it is that Citgo is owned by Venezuela and its socialist dictator Hugo Chávez who referred to our president as the devil.
Another reason is that there are a number of synthetics that consistently test higher and cost less.
Until very recently SYN3 was not a full synthetic but contained dino with its molecules altered (I think it is call hydro-cracking) to have similar characteristics of synthetic. The deep pocketed Mobil oil brought them to court to force HD to stop calling it synthetic but the court ruled in HD’s favor. I think some feel that Citgo & HD are cheating by calling it synthetic regardless of how some judge ruled.
Another reason some don’t like it is that Citgo is owned by Venezuela and its socialist dictator Hugo Chávez who referred to our president as the devil.
Another reason is that there are a number of synthetics that consistently test higher and cost less.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Central Ohio
I run Amsoil 20-50 is the primary and engine and Amsoil Gearlube 75-140 in the tranny. Shifts smoother, is quieter, and it's easier to find neutral.
mikebaby
mikebaby
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
I tried Syn3 in all 3 holes once. I liked the way it shifted and clutch engagement better with Formula+ (also I believe less noise from the transmission). I still run SYN3 in the engine.
