The big problem, if any, would be the Harley dealers committing fraud by misrepresenting their product.
When bike owners bring their ride to the dealer for service they are led to believe and should expect nothing but HD products..right down to the fluids.
If they (the dealers) are charging for HD factory oil and using bulk Quaker State 20-50 then there is a real problem there, it's called fraud.

 

I think in an attempt to raise earnings for it's stock holders, Harley had an epiphany. They made 2,000,000 motorcycles in the last 10 years, so why aren't we selling at least 16,000,000 or more, qts of oil a year? That's because the motorcycle oil aftermarket is taking away the sales. Look at what just the guys on this forum use. In one of the oil topic headings there's a section to post what you use and while Harley oil is mentioned, most feel there are better choices to use. And if you think about it, you can used just about any brand and it will work fine for you, as proven here. The actual number of motor failures is extremely low. So using only Harley oil because its "genuine" doesn't really mean much to most. Cost doesn't either. Guys spend top dollar, while others buy the cheapest the can find and it seems to work for them. It's impossible to say which is better or the best. Any oil company's marketing dept will claim theirs to be the best, but real world use hasn't proven any one to be the perfect oil, Harley's either.,,

 

HD could never void a warranty because you use another type oil or filter on your bike, and they know it. If it was a requirement they would have to offer the service and the oil, filters free.
I built transmissions for AAMCO years ago, they had a lifetime warranty and I think still do. to maintain the warranty you had to come in for annual service( drop pan, change filter and oil ) and pay for it. The FTC jumped in and said they couldn't charge for the service if it was a requirement to maintain the warranty. They started doing the service for free.

The same would happen to HD.

 

Mobil1 V twin in the engine and primary and you will NEVER have a problem.

Change the filter every single time you change the oil

Check the oil before you go ride.

20-50 is too thin for the transmission. I like rear differential oil.

~Joe

 

Lets not get our panties in a bunch over nuth'n.

I hate watching you suffer such a devastating realization and the stress of uncertainty. I'll buy the bike in the photo for a generous amount of rolled coins. Some will even be American coins.

Let me know.

 

At $13-$14/quart for Harley`s synthetic oil, I find it ridiculous to pay that kind of money. I can have the same rated oil (Valvoline 20/50 V-twin synthetic motorcycle oil) for less than $6/quart from Walmart and have it delivered to my door.

 

If you like spending more money at the "steallership", then go ahead. If another brand of oil is rated equally or better than Harley`s brand, and it`s a lot cheaper, then I`ll change my own oil and save big bucks.

 

Exactly!

 

Mazda is in cahoots with Castrol so maybe that is why they claim Amsoil is junk.













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Mazda has recognized that by working with Castrol, we can deliver additional value by
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You can save money on your next oil change with Castrol’s
Complete Satisfaction Rebate Program. The program offers a $7
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SYNTEC Blend oil change. Only at participating Mazda dealers.
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* In 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 grades measured in VG Sludge test
** 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 grades

 

I hate oil threads but...Huh??? I agree with all three statements but they don't really tie together...Harleys might break oil down faster ( I would blame that on heat and not the sheer factor)...Bikes that share a transmission with the engine oil might break down oil faster (only sportsters do this...the rest have three separate oils...) Even if transmissions sheer oil faster, they don't share the same oil as the engine...What were you trying to say?