Oil poll

What do you prefer?

Add a few comments, too, I am mainly trying to find out if y'all like synthetic as well. I am reasonably pleased with it, but then again, I am changing mine pretty frequently with all the heat down here in traffic...ridiculous!!

Just not for me

Synthetic oils maybe the way to go.But when they talk about 5000 or 10,000 miles before you change it I just don't know about that. If a foot powder company said you can wear your socks for 6 months to a year before you change them if you use there product Would ya ??

Only 6 months on a pair of socks? Better get a better powder!

On a more serious note, I ran synthetics in my Toyota Corolla GTS and changed every 7500 miles or so, and of course always changed the filter. Sold it with 150K on it and was running fantastic. (Buyer had it checked out for compression etc.). I used Anderol because we sold it and the factory rep kept me supplied free. I also use ONLY synthetics on my firearms.

I used to recommend synthetic for both recip and rotary screw air compressors, and will be changing to synthetic on my 95 XLH 883 w/ 16K on it this winter. I need to learn more about which brand is best for it is all.

As an aside, I was in the Fluid Power Industry before synthetics were widley introduced and for the most part they DO perform as advertised. (If I remember correctly, the German's were the first to use synthetics during WWII when petroleum was at a premium for them.)

Obviuosly, ambient conditions, prior wear, etc., will cause some variance from published data. I wouldn't be afraid to keep it in for a year at a time since I'm basically a weekend rider.

(Phoenix is a bad place to ride bikes. Seems like one gets taken out by some A*****e every week).

Did a 35000 check yesterday. Put HD 20W-50 in it and will continue to do so as long as I have this Evo in her.

Just when I thought I had it figured out, I went to a Harley Davidson Open House in Chandler, AZ today. Evidently H-D agrees with you. I told their resident "expert" what I had (1995 XLH 883) and was told that they recommend sticking with the 20W-50 for the older EVO engines. The newer injected engines take synthetic, but he said I would be wasting money. This from their oil salesman specialist.


Hmmmmm......

Scooter,
You forgot one more option to choose. "Does anyone care?"

I'm getting sick of the "I gotta question about oil" question.

I will say this though... I've used syn and regular and don't see any difference. The only one that I changed to that I did see a difference in the way my EVO runs is straight 50. And any straight 50 as long as you change it regularly. I have never seen anyone in this forum saying that - am I crasy to use 50w? Let me know.

OH did I mention I sell it? Yeah, that's right. Give me a call and I'll sell yu some oil..... feathers are free.

Don't know

I really don't know about the straight 50 .I don't really do much research on oil I have always put HD oil in my bike. But just in the past few oil changes I have been trying 25-60 rev-tech . I have never used synthetic in my bike and never will. I am a firm believer that what ever kind of oil you run you should stick to it and not jump around from oil to oil .And changing your oil and filter as often as you can is what I think is the key to a happy Motor LOL

Throughout Time

This has been an on going argument. What is the best oil for your bike? Well I have my own problems with this one. I am rebuilding the top end of my evo. Someone says now is the time to do the switch. If you want to go to synthetic do it now. Then I got an e mail from someone stating that it seems that the syn. oil lubes the bore too well to allow the proper ring seal.
So I already have preped the bike for the syn. It is in every other spot in my bike, since you can use it everywhere except for your brakes. Makes things very e.z when you change fluids. If you are like me and take precaution and ride with bags. That means I only need to take 1 qt of oil with me, just in case.
So what to do now? Should I take the syn. out because the person I got that e mail from I respect and I know he knows about this stuff. Or do I just throw caution to the wind and add a bit of LUCAS to the syn.?????
Anyone out there want to get me more worried and confused about this job I am doing myself for the first time? I am by no means a wrench. This is my first internal job. So I am like an expecting father I guess. Since I never had a child I am thinking this is what it feels like. We all want to do the best for our babys. You take care of them they will never fail you. If anyone out there can add to my worries please by all means. Give me some pearls of wisdom please. Gumby Peace

Wow, this oil subject is really something. I have been trying to avoid it but find I need to add a comment or 2.

I used the HD 20-50 for 50k miles. Changed it and filter every 4k. sometimes it went more but not very often and sometimes less. When I opened up the engine it was as clean as it was brand new-- lines, tank, everything. I had one thing go wrong (rod bearing) but I am sure it was not due to the oil.

I tried syn once, But at the time I overheated the engine on a 105 degree day (hours at 80mph - Nebraska, route 70 west). I never went back to syn. I may try it again, maybe. Syn always seemed too thin to me and when a Harley warms up the oil pressure goes down. My engine sounds a lot quieter when I have a heavier viscosity oil. I am using 50w now and I like the sound of the engine with this in it. But, I am by no means an expert.

If I am going to throw the stuff out every 3 to 4K miles then I will look at cost too.

I'm using Synthetic in the Electra Glide. I pull a trailer with it ....the bike gets worked hard..so far so good..I change the oil out at roughly 2500 miles..maybe longer if I'm out on a long road trip....I know where I bought my car the ones that rack the big miles are all running synthetic oil.

Hey Now

Did you start with it from the get go? I am rebuilding my top end so I am starting with it.

first oil was mineral then synthetic..I put on the 95 inch kit last year and stuck to the synthetic..bike really works well. You're near LV ? gets pretty hot there too warm for mineral imo.