How do you guys make up your minds? My Harley guy told me to use the SE synthetic in both, made sense to me. I'm getting ready to go in for my 1000 mile and was going to use it. From what I read out here, everyone has their opinion and says theirs is the best. What I'd like to know is, is there anything wrong with just going with the SE synthetic in both like my HD guy says?
There's nothing wrong with that choice as an engine oil, but you could find an equivalent oil at a much better price. For example, Mobil 1 15w50 can be purchased for $23/5qt. bottle (<$5/qt.) at Wal-Mart, while the H-D oil is $11.30/qt. MSRP at your HD dealer. Likely no one that's knowledgeable of oils will tell you that Syn3 is a better oil, so my point is that although all synthetic oils are good, some are priced more sensibly than others.
The HD tranny is a gearbox, and being so it should operate with gear oil, IMO, which I find is what most riders use. The primary doesn't need a high-tech oil, IMO, and any dino engine oil 10w40 or higher viscosity will do fine, as will ATF or even a light gear oil (like Redline MTL). I steer clear of oils containing moly for the primary although I haven't seen any evidence to suggest that moly is categorically bad for wet clutches. However, moly content in engine oil is a big plus IMO.
For example, Mobil 1 15w50 can be purchased for $23/5qt. bottle (<$5/qt.) at Wal-Mart, while the H-D oil is $11.30/qt. MSRP at your HD dealer.
The HD tranny is a gearbox, and being so it should operate with gear oil, IMO,
coming up on my next oil change, and i'll be going with the m1 15/50 from wally world. last few changes around here have been with royal purple, no complaints with it, except that it runs about $11 qt.
for the primary, i like to use formula+, usually pick it up the same time i pick up a filter.
for tranny, i also use gear oil. except this last time i went with 75/140. in this la heat, that worked out real well for me so will be going that route again.
just an FYI...Harley bids out for their "own" oil...do you think they put the highest quality product in their container...or does money and corporate decisions play here...just a thought.
Well my thought on this frequently offered argument is as follows: As the producer of thousands of motors a year with which is given a 2year warranty, would they really want the owners to be using an inferior oil that also carried my brand??? And while the warranty is only for two years, the reputation and good will for the brand extends for a much longer period.
Please, use whatever oil that suits your fancy, but don't knock the quality of a product based on such a poor rationale.
How do you guys make up your minds? My Harley guy told me to use the SE synthetic in both, made sense to me. I'm getting ready to go in for my 1000 mile and was going to use it. From what I read out here, everyone has their opinion and says theirs is the best. What I'd like to know is, is there anything wrong with just going with the SE synthetic in both like my HD guy says?
I tried the SE SYN3 in all 3 holes and did not like it. I use Mobil 1 90w140 in the trans and love it. I have Mobil 1 V-twin in the crankcase and have also used 15w-40 synthetic with good results. These just worked best for me. I do have SYN3 in the Primary so far with good results.
I thought the bike made more noise with SYN3 in the crank and trans.
Last edited by madurodave; 03-24-2009 at 08:43 PM.