My ride is a 1999 Sporty Custom (883). I bought it just before X-mas and it has a little ovwer 19,000 miles on it. I am going to change the oil once the weather gets warmer and the new season starts. I have no idea what kind of oil was used previously in the bike. Should I use a dino base, or synthetic based oil???

 

Synthetic. HD makes both for the bikes. A lot of people have reported great results from Mobile 1 V-twin oil. It's a synthetic. I'm going to switch to it when I do my oil change in the next few days.

 

I have used both HD-SYN3 and Mobile 1 v twin and I cant tell a difference. I think both are good.
Price:
HD-SYN3 $9.99 per qt.
Mobile 1 $8.15 per qt. (Walmart)

 

I have talked to many people about this including car/motorcycle mechanics and people that run oil change shops. EVERYONE says to use synthetic over dino if you have the option I currently run the SYN-3 but friend uses the Mobil 1 V-Twin and loves it

 

Amsoil, all the way

 

Definitely synthetic.

I use Mobil 1 V-Twin. But HD Syn3 is great, too.

I go for the Mobil 1 because my Granddad worked for Mobil Oil for years and years, in their lubricants division. He supervised the manufacture of the stuff and swore by it, and I trust Grandpa Mac.

My dealer, Quaid Temecula HD, sells both Syn3 and V-Twin. You can't go wrong either way. But Mobil Oil has been making the stuff since forever, and, well, Grandpa Mac has never steered me wrong.

-JP

 

I don't see why we don't use plain old dino 20/50. It has good lubrication properties. We all seem to care very much about our bikes and all seem to want to tinker with them. Keeping the oil changed and clean is a great way to bond with the bike and satisfy our need to get into it. The most important thing is that we change it. With synthetic, because of its properties, it is not as necessary to change it at the 3k mark. Costwise, I would think that they about equal each other.

 

The biggest difference is the fact the synthetic oil can withstand higher temperatures

 

+1! top rated.mobil 1 is a close second so either is a good choice

 

i use mobile 1 and k&n filter (kn-171c) from local auto zone. cost is within a buck of syn 3 and hd filter.