I just want to know what they respond with (if they even do), and second if they retract that statement on the next issue (lawyers may have something to say about this)..

 

Obviously that rag is for the ignorant masses. Had it not been for this forum and others alike I'm sure most of us would've fallen for their BS too. I thought I'd read previously that SYN 3 is the MoCo's oil (contracted out) so that they have an "in" to the synthetic market. Just as most stealers will tell you anything but SE pipes (installed by them), or SERT, etc. will void the warranty: they want you to buy their product - not a competitors. That's fine. Just don't try force-feeding that **** down our throats![:'(]

 

Finally...a real use for a RUB. Any *lawyers* out there reading this nonsense?

 

F Harley Davidson.
[hr]

 

Impact & Void may have different meanings. What if you have a claim, that they think is related to the oil. Whether it is or isn't won't matter. While you are waiting for them to approve the claim. A rider with the same issue who verifiably had SYN3 might just get fixed well ahead of you.

Obviously they have to prove that your oil did it. But only after you take them to court.

 

Yeah, I wondered about that little word game myself. They stopped short of saying it would "void" the warranty, only that it would "impact" the warranty. I guess we'd have to know what their definition of "impact" was before we could reallycry foul.

Kinda like Billy Klinton with his: "That would depend on what the meaning of the word "is" is. [:@]

 

I may drop them a note myself, as they may be walking a tightrope with their position on that issue. The Magnuson-Moss Act states that if they dictate for owners to use their products during the warranty period to keep the warranty in place they must provide these products free. In this case, it seems to me they are saying Syn3 is the only one that won't impact the warranty, then anything else will impact it. So what is their definition of "impact"? They're not saying they will deny a warranty claim if you use something else, just that Syn3 is the only one that won't impact it. That might be the legal loophole, allowing them to encourage sales of the their average but overpriced engine fluids. I'm sure the wording is very calculated, as they aren't actually saying any other brand of oil will void the warranty. Very, very cloudy, however.

As for the info in the manual, they don't specifically dictate that you use only HD oil, but that "if it is necessary to add oil and H-D oil is not available, use an oil certified for diesel engines." The problem is that diesel-rated oil is hard to find in conventional places, like discount and auto-parts stores, and 20w50 is even more scarce. Diesel oil is most-commonly 15w40, which out of HD specs for all but cold weather. I know that Mobil 1, Redline, and Amsoil 20w50 are all CF-rated. Royal Purple 20w50 is both CF- and CF4-rated--which brings us to yet one more nebulous statement: "Acceptable diesel engine oil designations include: CF-4, CG-4, CH-4, and CI-4." By saying "include" in that context they aren't actually saying CF isn't included. If you read this to mean that only CF-4 is acceptable and go looking for a 20w50 CF4-rated oil at your local auto-parts store, you may never find what you're looking for, that is unless you happen to run across some Royal Purple.

Everyone here knows that any of the brands mentioned above are superb lubricants for HD motors, so that isn't the issue here. The issue is HD and their highly calculated and purposefully cloudy statements about oil to lure or scare you into using their products, yet not get themselves into any legal hot water.

Is there anyone who would bet a beer that we'll see any of these emails in future issues of The Enthusiast ?

 

They may publish a "clarification" but you can bet your *** they won't publish any of these letters.

 

The Moco saved your *** again, Pete.

 

Yep, and I thank them every day.