I am taking my 2006 in for my 1,000 mile check-up and I am going back and forth on synthetic vs. regular oil. From what I hear on the forum now (1,000 maintenance) is the time to switch.
Is it worth switching to synthetic motor oil or should I stay with the regular stuff ? What are the benefits of synthetic ? I know it will cost me more and I've read on the forum that once I switch I can't (or shouldn't) go back to regular oil.I don’t have a problem with switching if its better for myHD in the long run.

 

For me the biggest advantage is the Higher temps synthetic can handle. This was important because of the air cooled engine.

 

Cooler running.Smoother on the shift, and better for the engine as a whole.Little bit more money but you can stretch out your oil change a bit to help offset the cost.Mobil 1 in my engine, and primary after 1000 miles.

 

you can go back to dino if you have syn in there... and you don't even need to wash the parts first.

 

I wouldn't put syn. in the primary - I put put in an AIM var. pressure clutch and they advise against syn in primary due to causing slipping. You should do a search on oil as I bet this topic has been beat to death on EVERY tech forum. Lot of info out there...And yes - you can switch back and forth without problems.....Good Luck...

 

+1 on avoiding it in the primary.
Definately prefer synthetic int he transmission, especially these new six speeds, I like Red Line or Amsoil but all the synthetic gear oils are good.
I change my engine oil at about 100 or 200 miles, then at 1000, 2500 and every 2500 thereafter. I'll go to synthetic at the 2500 mile mark.

There are many advantages to synthetic. For our applications the ability to stay together at higher temps is important. Not as important for most of us is the additional advantage of better lubrication at cold start-up.

Othetr than the 1000 miles service, I do ny own oil changes and the added cost of synthetics is nominal in a world where we buy a round of drinks now and again, add a piece of chrome here and there or maybe pick=up an extra set of gloves that we really don't need. It's just the cost of doin' our business. Get caught in traffic during Bike Week or at a rally and you'll be glad you went synthetic.

 

Ihave used mobil 1 V-Twin 20w50 in my '02 FXD for close to 25,000 miles and whenI changed to the "B" series lifters and replaced the cam chain tensioners I was impressed with the lack of wear on the parts and the minimal oil varnishing on the rocker box covers. I also used the mobil 1 syn trans oil, have I noticed any improvements in shifting or noise control, no but I have a little piece of mind in the heat dept. and load shearing on the gear teeth. Remember the hot eng oil shares this compartment on the dynas. My 05 FXDLI got the same treatment, most of us know the heat generated by these puppies. Also have a thermost control oil cooler on the 05. I am not afraid to spend a little more on my investments.

 

Mobil1 Vtwin 20w50 engine
Redline MTL synthetic tran lube in the primary (no moly to cause clutch slippage)
Redline Shockproof Heavy Gear oil in the trans.

If you use a synthetic for the primarypick one with no moly in it. Moly is good for the engine & trans but bad for clutch plates. The Harley syn3 has nomoly and is fine for the primary. The Redline is a bit thinner so it doesn't drag when cold (no moly either). Pick a 75w90 synthetic gear oil for the trans like Redline Shockproof Heavy, Mobil1 75w90, Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 and your trans will shift very smooth & quiet.

For the engine...Mobil1Vtwin 20w50, Amsoil MCV 20w50 or HD Syn3 20w50 after you have 3000 miles you can use the Redline oil in the engine either the 20w50 or 20w60HD.

Synthetics are better all around and FWIW all the Harley CVO bikes come with Syn3 factory fill. I change mine out at 100 miles. Worth the $$ IMO. Ride safe.....

 

I'll be the underdog.......I have 64k miles on my Twin Cam and use dino. It doesn't smoke, use oil between changes, and still runs like a top. I don't have an oil cooler, either.

What brand oil you use has nothing to do with tensioner wear. It's a crapshoot. But for what it's worth, here are my tensioners at 52k miles.

[IMG]local://upfiles/17633/3D62883544AF454B93B2BEA3A080E3F3.jpg[/IMG]

 

Nice.......lucky you.......the tensioners are definitely a crap shoot.....oil has nothing to do with them wearing out early. In fact they are a bad design IMO.