Why do automobiles require you to change oil annually if you don't drive the minimum mileage and HD does not?

 

H-D synthetic oil is NOT full synthetic its a blend...

 

+1

The value of synthetic oil is that the molecules are uniform, which prevents breakdown. Experts think that conventional oils breaks down somewhere between 3-6K miles. Synthetic begins to breakdown at around 10K+ miles. Before breakdown, they protect equally as well The only benefit over conventional oil is that sythetic will protect your engine longer. It will not run your engine cooler or protect it better before breakdown.

Since most of us love our bikes, we likely change our oil according to HD recommendations or even more often than that. If you follow these guidelines, you would never need to invest in synthetic.

If you plan to extend your drain interval to 6K+, then synthetic would give your more protection. However, I would not recommend that since the issue at that interval point would be the dirt and debri suspended in the oil that really should be removed anyhow with an oil change before it can wear your engine.

Of course, choice is what free Willis all about. Peace.

 

I agree with Billyjo's summary. That said, we have a couple hundred thousand miles on our bikes (collectively, including past bikes) and have always run synthetic - mostly the HD stuff. I never change before 5k but rarely exceed 7k. To date (where's the knock on wood smilie when you need it?) we have had zero issues related to wear or lube. I've put 30-40k on a given bike with no tensioner problems or any of the other issues some folks have. Florida is known for the sandy grit that covers most of our roads (just check out some lower forks on native bikes next time you're down here) so it isn't the clean environment. We also have a cabin in NE Georgia and ride there and up to NC, TN, etc where many of the roads are dirt or gravel.

Each of us needs to make our own choice and go with what we feel works best. For us, that's synth. For others, it might be Pep Boys generic changed out every 2k. It's all good.

 

the moco condemned syn oil till they started selling it.. said it was too slippery. it caused bearings to slide rather then roll, that will cause flat spots on the bearings. i heard HD was denying warenty claims if syn oil was used.. then they got a deal on syn oil and started selling it. all of a sudden it is the best thing out.so??? i tried it once in my bike, i thought it sucked, engine ran hotter and sounded like it was going to explode. so i went back to standard oil.. use what ever works for you.. there is actually no need for synthetic oil, dino oil has been in service for over 100 years with no problems.. but it all works

 

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html

 

Im with you here

There is little doubt that synthetic oil offers superior engine protection under extreme operating conditions. Another advantage is its not as affected by low temperatures and does not thicken like dino. On cold starts it has much better protection against friction. Less wear and tear

Synthetic oil was developed decades ago for high-temperature use in jet aircraft engines when engineers realized that petroleum-based oils break down and lose their lubricating capabilities when exposed to high heat. Over time, petroleum-based oils began to oxidize and create sludge, leaving damaging residue inside the engine.

 

im glazing over ........

 

 

The question was why would his mechanic recommend dino over syn.

Answer: How should we know? Ask him why he recommends it.