[2010 FLHX]

This guy is running a "chopper shop" for H-D -- non factory authorized, but he seems to know his stuff. His supplier is a local H-D dealership.

He comments that the H-D synthetic engine oil doesn't meet the specs set out in the H-D service manual. That it foams, tends to run at about 15F degrees higher than Amsoil.

He's pushing Amsoil -- which is $2 less per qt. than the H-D Syn. He further notes that he knows who makes Amsoil. He has no clue who makes H-D Synthetic.

Let me trot this out here, see where it goes. I know squat for oil, except for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which has nothing to do with virgins.

:clap:

 

[old hippie1960]

H-D Syn = Hugo Chavez + CITGO
Amsoil = all American

H-D Syn3 is at the low end of a class III oil. Calls itself synthetic but is really more like a blend of just highly refined dino and regular dino.
Amsoil is class IV and is an actual synthetic by the original meaning before Castrol and the courts muddied the oil wells.

 

[decman]

Well OK some facts. Very few companies make there own oil from scratch.
HD like many other buy base stock from two or more suppliers and then have
additives added to make there 'special' mix.

I know some chemical engineers from Exxon Mobil and HD is one of their
big customers. No company wants a single source for a product.

Are their better synthetics than HD? Sure, I use Red Line myself.
Will the 'normal' rider notice the difference? Most likely not.

Wonder where Amzoil get their base stock?

 

[wndchsr]

The HD SYN 3 is a blend of dino and synthetic. You have much better choices than that stuff...............Like Amsoil and Mobile 1.

 

[smitty901]

Just because he is a Mechanic does not mean he knows squat.
SNY3 is a good oil you can argue where it is on the list nothing wrong with it.
99% of the anti SYN3 is not because it is not a good oil but because of who makes it.
I have found over 42 years of riding that INDY shops will tell you just about anything they think you want to hear or will make them a buck. I have also found most are not very good.

 

[59panhead]

oil

This guy is running a "chopper shop" for H-D -- non factory authorized, but he seems to know his stuff. His supplier is a local H-D dealership.

He comments that the H-D synthetic engine oil doesn't meet the specs set out in the H-D service manual. That it foams, tends to run at about 15F degrees higher than Amsoil.

He's pushing Amsoil -- which is $2 less per qt. than the H-D Syn. He further notes that he knows who makes Amsoil. He has no clue who makes H-D Synthetic.

Let me trot this out here, see where it goes. I know squat for oil, except for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which has nothing to do with virgins.

:clap:

H-D oil is crap :dh: in fact crap would be better in a motor then there stuff :redrolf::hystria::redrolf::hystria::redrolf::hystria:

Amsoil is the best there is to [email protected]: dont like Mobil NONE either great marketing but doesnt come close to Amsoil hey changing your oil is great new oil is better then old so use the best ! :clap:

Redline is good stuff also plus they have a 20/60 oil out which would be great to run during the summer or in the southern states year round :cya:

 

[LowRiderCustom]

The HD SYN 3 is a blend of dino and synthetic. You have much better choices than that stuff...............Like Amsoil and Mobile 1.

Syn 3 and mobil 1 are class 3 oils which contain no synthetic oil at all, it's just hydrocracked dino oil. Amsoil and redline are class 4 oils which are true synthetic. Considering that syn 3 costs more than amsoil when it's not a true synthetic means HD is grossly overcharging for their fake synthetic oil.

 

[wndchsr]

Considering that syn 3 costs more than amsoil when it's not a true synthetic means HD is grossly overcharging for their fake synthetic oil.

Agree with you there.

 

[2010 FLHX]

Jeez Louise! I just quadrupled my knowledge base about oil. I didn't know it came in classes. I figured if it says "synthetic" that it is -- But I suppose it's sort of like "Natural" on the food packaging.

Hell . . . cocaine is 100% "natural."

 

[LowRiderCustom]

Usually a good indication of the class is the price, with true synthetics costing twice as much and sometimes more. (Excluding Syn 3) You won't find a true synthetic oil at walmart thats for sure.

 

[bagga]

This guy is running a "chopper shop" for H-D -- non factory authorized, but he seems to know his stuff. His supplier is a local H-D dealership.

He comments that the H-D synthetic engine oil doesn't meet the specs set out in the H-D service manual. That it foams, tends to run at about 15F degrees higher than Amsoil.

He's pushing Amsoil -- which is $2 less per qt. than the H-D Syn. He further notes that he knows who makes Amsoil. He has no clue who makes H-D Synthetic.

Let me trot this out here, see where it goes. I know squat for oil, except for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which has nothing to do with virgins.

:clap:

the first thing i would have asked him would be, between the amsoil and the hd oil which one are you making the most money from. i think that would tell you everything you need to know about his opinion.

 

[georgedouglas]

Well OK some facts. Very few companies make there own oil from scratch.
HD like many other buy base stock from two or more suppliers and then have
additives added to make there 'special' mix.

I know some chemical engineers from Exxon Mobil and HD is one of their
big customers. No company wants a single source for a product.

Are their better synthetics than HD? Sure, I use Red Line myself.
Will the 'normal' rider notice the difference? Most likely not.

Wonder where Amzoil get their base stock?

HD does not buy base stocks or additives to make their oil. They buy a complete bottled product to the specs they require from an oil company. This is how any product that you have labeled with your name on it happens. Every oil you see that has a manufactures name on it like john deere oil, Joe Gibbs oil, Yamalube, and so on is done this same way. There is actually some oil companies that all they do is make products for company's that want their name on it.

As far as Amsoil goes they buy several different base stocks from across the country as well as the additives. They then design the finished product in their labs and bottle it in their manufacturing plant just like the major oil companies do.
george

 

[outlawtony]

Amsoil & Redline Oils

Syn 3 and mobil 1 are class 3 oils which contain no synthetic oil at all, it's just hydrocracked dino oil. Amsoil and redline are class 4 oils which are true synthetic. Considering that syn 3 costs more than amsoil when it's not a true synthetic means HD is grossly overcharging for their fake synthetic oil.

Amsoil is a group IV oil
Redline Is a group V Ester Based Oil

 

[craigp95]

Difference?

Amsoil is a group IV oil
Redline Is a group V Ester Based Oil

What's the difference between a group/class IV and group/class V oil?

 

[Miceracs]

I am still no wiser on which is best or should be used.
it is assumed that synthetic is better than natural?
just a case of which synthetic to use then. #[email protected]

I see there is a lot of emotion on this subject, maybe because it has or comes from HD, then there is how much profit a seller makes....none of this should come into the decision on what make of oil to use. You pay enough for the hardware, software cost should not come into it! At the end of the day you need an oil that does the job with confidence.


What I would like to know is how this may affect my HD warranty if I decide to use another make of oil?

Oh, so which is one is the bees knees then?

 

[j michael]

I am still no wiser on which is best or should be used.
it is assumed that synthetic is better than natural?
just a case of which synthetic to use then. #[email protected]

I see there is a lot of emotion on this subject, maybe because it has or comes from HD, then there is how much profit a seller makes....none of this should come into the decision on what make of oil to use. You pay enough for the hardware, software cost should not come into it! At the end of the day you need an oil that does the job with confidence.


What I would like to know is how this may affect my HD warranty if I decide to use another make of oil?

Oh, so which is one is the bees knees then?

Emotion is an understatement:clap: I see only one guy on here that claims to know oil processes and molecular structure, by virtue of education/and or experience. There is a lot of speculation swarming around this subject! I have been on the engineering team at Conoco Phillips refinery for several years and can tell you first hand, that many, many buy their base oil/finished oil from Conoco. We used to run oil with no filter in all of our bikes and many of those bikes still run. So run what ever oil you want to in your machine and know that the refining process is the same in most. I must say that I am not a oil expert just been around it a lot and have used a lot of it with great results. Have a great day!

 

[flyingmanx]

Well didn't get much from this subject!

Well I read all the posts. I now have no clue at all. Before I thought the synthetic oil was better than regular oil!
I don't believer Harley has it's own factory mixing up oils??
Just like Cub Cadet or John Deer. someone must make it to their spec. and put their label on it??

Oh well I just started using the synthetic this year too!!!
f/m

 

[LowRiderCustom]

Synthetic oil IS better than regular oil, but there's different classes depending on your needs.

 

[speedfoos]

I think it boils down to this.

Change your oil.

Regularly.

And Ford is better than Chevy.

 

[LowRiderCustom]

Clint that's what scares me about the pricey synthetics that can go 10,000 miles plus. One of the main reasons for changing the oil is to remove the contaminants that accumulate in it (sludge). By leaving it in there 2-3 times longer than the lower priced oils you end up with highly contaminated oil circulating through the motor for a longer period of time.

They claim the best synthetics can suspend the contaminants longer but that just doesn't sit well with me. I'd rather use a lower grade synthetic and change it more often than leave the high mileage contaminated oil in there for too long.

My G8 takes 9 quarts of synthetic oil since it's got a Corvette motor that eats Fords.