Synthetic or Regular Oil?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
For every guy that says synthetic protects better, there's a guy that says regular works just as good. So being that claim has been made, Just what is being protected better? Can you prove it? I've seen high mileage bikes that have run both types of oil and they both run the same. Guys worry about what temp their motors run at more then the company that makes them, and has to repair them under warranty if they blow up. Another good one is the guy that runs synthetic oil , changes it at 3k miles, then goes on about how it doesn't cost more to use synthetic oil then regular oil. I bet less then 1% of the people on this site ever run their oil twice the mfgr's recommended oci. If you run an oil that has almost twice the amount of anti-wear additives then Harley's oil has(most do), change it when it get to 5k, your bike will outlive you, no matter where you live. If your oil shears out of grade, but doesn't cause any additional wear ,it will still do what its supposed to do. I've run both types of oil and have not from my experience seen any additional benefits to justify the added cost of synthetic oil. If I did I would use it.,,
To debate the necessity of using it is another issue. I think you are correct in your cost vs benefit under normal operating parameters. Severe duty usage I begin to challenge your assessment. But again, that is a debate between you and me in this case, and at the end of the day, I choose to use synthetic everything. I don't care if you agree or not. You have a right to put your money where you want.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 7
I'm afraid that oil testing has proved synthetics in general, protect better in general. Especially at higher temperatures. To debate that is just silly and a waste of time.
To debate the necessity of using it is another issue. I think you are correct in your cost vs benefit under normal operating parameters. Severe duty usage I begin to challenge your assessment. But again, that is a debate between you and me in this case, and at the end of the day, I choose to use synthetic everything. I don't care if you agree or not. You have a right to put your money where you want.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
To debate the necessity of using it is another issue. I think you are correct in your cost vs benefit under normal operating parameters. Severe duty usage I begin to challenge your assessment. But again, that is a debate between you and me in this case, and at the end of the day, I choose to use synthetic everything. I don't care if you agree or not. You have a right to put your money where you want.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
I'm not disagreeing, but syn definitely specs better than Dino. Could we see the difference on a 100k engine on a teardown? I bet not. I've used them both, and think each have their merits and downfalls. At the end of the day I think it's mostly about piece of mind and what your willing to spend to have it...
Yes. Probably little difference if regular maintenance under normal operating conditions. Change it hot and frequently and you will be good...whatever oil you use.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,199
From: Oxford, Nc
The bike runs Mobil 1 15W-50 synthetic in the winter when its cooler and 20W-50 V Twin synthetic (more zinc and phosphorus for high heat protection,) in the summer and it just passed 140,000 miles. It doesn't use oil between 5,000 mile changes either. I'm happy.
But damn, how 'bout a little engine varnish y'all?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 7
My cars w/ radiators run Dino ( the wife's Altima passed 158,000 miles this week and no oil is lost between 7500 miles services.) Penzoil 5W-30.
The bike runs Mobil 1 15W-50 synthetic in the winter when its cooler and 20W-50 V Twin synthetic (more zinc and phosphorus for high heat protection,) in the summer and it just passed 140,000 miles. It doesn't use oil between 5,000 mile changes either. I'm happy.
But damn, how 'bout a little engine varnish y'all?
The bike runs Mobil 1 15W-50 synthetic in the winter when its cooler and 20W-50 V Twin synthetic (more zinc and phosphorus for high heat protection,) in the summer and it just passed 140,000 miles. It doesn't use oil between 5,000 mile changes either. I'm happy.
But damn, how 'bout a little engine varnish y'all?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,199
From: Oxford, Nc
How many miles on that rocker box? Imo, that's a little scary. No damage done by any means, but I recently had my rockers off (40k miles) and there was ZERO, ZIP, NADA varnish anywhere. The inside was as shiny as the outside. If you are a believer in zddp (and I am) the valvoline vr1 has a nice voa for the optimum amount.
As of last weekend 140,194 Bike still runs great too. Sludge would scare me, varnish ...not so much. Rockers were still shiny when I did the cams at 81,000 ( Jan 2011.) so this is all since then.
Last edited by Stiggy; Jan 18, 2014 at 02:56 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,199
From: Oxford, Nc
Thanks hdrk, that's what I thought too. Sludge is bad, varnish is just discoloration.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
FYI ,You won't find a API spec on a bottle of "motorcycle specific oil" because there is none. My manual says to use an oil that has a SG or SJ API spec. Funny even Harley's own brand of oil doesn't say that it meets that spec on the bottle. That's why there is no API symbol on the bottle. Most "motorcycle specific branded oils" will SAY it meets API SG ,or SJ and API GL-1 rating, but doesn't have to be tested and confirmed that it does. So does knowing that the oil your paying $12 a qt or more for, doesn't have to meet any spec, and the ingredients can be changed, added or removed at the whim of the mfgr makes sense to anyone?.,,,
Last edited by big cahuna; Jan 18, 2014 at 03:53 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
FYI ,You won't find a API spec on a bottle of "motorcycle specific oil" because there is none. My manual says to use an oil that has a SG or SJ API spec. Funny even Harley's own brand of oil doesn't say that it meets that spec on the bottle. That's why there is no API symbol on the bottle. Most "motorcycle specific branded oils" will SAY it meets API SG ,or SJ and API GL-1 rating, but doesn't have to be tested and confirmed that it does. So does knowing that the oil your paying $12 a qt or more for, doesn't have to meet any spec, and the ingredients can be changed, added or removed at the whim of the mfgr makes sense to anyone?.,,,
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus