Engine Oil Poll

chefron · Apr 7th, 2009, 01:07 AM

Here's one for you glider. If my fairly new BMW (which due to the warranty has free oil changes, regular maintenance etc.) goes 15K miles between oil changes. wouldn't it be safe to say that M1 would be the best possible oil for all bikes? I'm only asking as there are many opinions on this site and loyalty runs deep among other brands.

glider · Apr 7th, 2009, 08:09 AM

Oils for the most part become the choice of the owner as to which is best for them and most have their reasons for the choice. Truth be known that most any quality oil of the right viscosity will do the job, some just do it better than others IMO. I suggest the Mobil 1 being it is a very high quality oil with the right additive packages for the application.

Some post that "I use brand XXX with no problems". It's difficult to tell if they are causing a problem until it is too late, then the damage is already done and is not reversible.
Very few if any of the better quality oils will "cause a problem" but when the cheaper oils are used, they too will not cause a problem until they start to break down (which happens quickly) from the heat and then the problems begin. You can save some $$$ on buying a cheap oil but you will end up down the road spending those $$$ you saved on engine repair/rebuild.

I'm sure that if someone posed a question to you that if you walked down a certain street that something very dangerous to your health could happen but if you went one block over to get to the same destination and you would get there safely, it wouldn't be hard to figure which route you would take.

Why gamble with oils? It's the life blood of any engine!

cedarbrook63 · Apr 7th, 2009, 01:51 PM

I ride a Sporty 883 which I bought new a few months back . I was in my local HD dealership today and got talking to one of the mechanics. I have seen some advice on this forum about changing my engine oil at 500 miles and then again for the first service at 1,000 miles. When I do change from the stock HD fossil, I'm planning on using Mobil V-Twin 20/50 (presuming I can get it easily here in the UK

). Anyway - this mechanic told me that HD Syn 3 oil is FULLY synthetic and also that I should not change to full synth until the first service. He said on some of the Screaming Eagle special edition bikes that were using synthetic oil from the very beginning, it was found that the new engines weren't running in properly.

Any views out there this conversation?

glider · Apr 7th, 2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedarbrook63

Anyway - this mechanic told me that HD Syn 3 oil is FULLY synthetic and also that I should not change to full synth until the first service. He said on some of the Screaming Eagle special edition bikes that were using synthetic oil from the very beginning, it was found that the new engines weren't running in properly.

Any views out there this conversation?

That mechanic should go back to school again. Ask him what group the oil is in and see if he even knows that. It's group 3 which is a refined dino oil. Group 4 is synthetics. Nothing worse than somebody that is working in a dealer that really doesn't what they are saying.
I have had a CVO bike that came with the syn 3 in it and drained it out when I got it home and replaced it with Mobil 1 V Twin synthetic, never a problem with it. I do the same with all bikes I get when they get home. It's HOW you break them in that makes the difference.
Copy this post below and read up on it and go question who told you this info about Syn 3 oil.

Synthetic Oils - Harley Davidson Community

Oil Groups Explained - Harley Davidson Community

Proper Engine Break In For New Motors - Harley Davidson Community

cedarbrook63 · Apr 7th, 2009, 03:48 PM

Thanks as always for the dependable heads up Chief

It is a bit worrying that the HD guy didn't seem to have his facts straight

.
I'll carry on with my original plan then and put the Mobil synth in now and a new filter.

I liked the info on breaking in too. Thanks again Glider.

ALCORS11 · Apr 7th, 2009, 08:40 PM

I'm sold on Amsoil!

cedarbrook63 · Apr 10th, 2009, 11:07 AM

Can't find Mobil 1 V twin in UK unfortunately and Amsoil is extremely expensive here. My dealership want to use HD Syn 3 but everything I read about it here has put me off.

Have seen this one for a much more reasonable price on ebay:

Silkolene Comp 4 20-50 Motorcycle Oil

Anyone ever used this and any opinions out there?

Thanks guys.

glider · Apr 10th, 2009, 11:10 AM

Check this out.

Mobil in UK

cedarbrook63 · Apr 10th, 2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glider

Check this out.

Mobil in UK

Thanks Glider - I'd already Googled and found this site but there's no sign of your fave on it

. I can get Amsoil from their base in Oxford and the other synth which I asked about. Getting close to 100miles so very nearly time

.

Wish I'd seen that nice article on breaking in the engine before I started riding it - I guess it's too late to find a nice stretch of road now for the 10x30-60mph in 3rd procedure????

glider · Apr 10th, 2009, 12:45 PM

Can't hurt it any but depending on the miles on the bike, may not work as well as when it was new.

View Poll Results: Engine Oil Poll
Mobil 1 V Twin	251	31.61%
Mobil 1 red or gold cap	28	3.53%
Redline	26	3.27%
Royal Purple	20	2.52%
Bel Ray	3	0.38%
HD 360	67	8.44%
Syn 3	108	13.60%
Amsoil	234	29.47%
Lucas	21	2.64%
OTHER (Please Specify)	50	6.30%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 794. You may not vote on this poll

Apr 7th, 2009, 01:07 AM	#121
chefron Warming The Wheels Ride: 09 Street Glide Join Date: Mar 8th, 2009 Location: Fall River, Wis. Posts: 129 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Poll Here's one for you glider. If my fairly new BMW (which due to the warranty has free oil changes, regular maintenance etc.) goes 15K miles between oil changes. wouldn't it be safe to say that M1 would be the best possible oil for all bikes? I'm only asking as there are many opinions on this site and loyalty runs deep among other brands. __________________ To those who ride, no explanation is necessary. To those who do not ride, no explanation is possible.

Apr 7th, 2009, 08:09 AM	#122
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,057 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Poll Oils for the most part become the choice of the owner as to which is best for them and most have their reasons for the choice. Truth be known that most any quality oil of the right viscosity will do the job, some just do it better than others IMO. I suggest the Mobil 1 being it is a very high quality oil with the right additive packages for the application. Some post that "I use brand XXX with no problems". It's difficult to tell if they are causing a problem until it is too late, then the damage is already done and is not reversible. Very few if any of the better quality oils will "cause a problem" but when the cheaper oils are used, they too will not cause a problem until they start to break down (which happens quickly) from the heat and then the problems begin. You can save some $$$ on buying a cheap oil but you will end up down the road spending those $$$ you saved on engine repair/rebuild. I'm sure that if someone posed a question to you that if you walked down a certain street that something very dangerous to your health could happen but if you went one block over to get to the same destination and you would get there safely, it wouldn't be hard to figure which route you would take. Why gamble with oils? It's the life blood of any engine! __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Apr 7th, 2009, 01:51 PM	#123
cedarbrook63 Contributor$ Ride: 2009 XL883 -> 1200 SE Stage 1 Join Date: Dec 29th, 2008 Location: Gloucestershire, England Posts: 623 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Poll I ride a Sporty 883 which I bought new a few months back . I was in my local HD dealership today and got talking to one of the mechanics. I have seen some advice on this forum about changing my engine oil at 500 miles and then again for the first service at 1,000 miles. When I do change from the stock HD fossil, I'm planning on using Mobil V-Twin 20/50 (presuming I can get it easily here in the UK ). Anyway - this mechanic told me that HD Syn 3 oil is FULLY synthetic and also that I should not change to full synth until the first service. He said on some of the Screaming Eagle special edition bikes that were using synthetic oil from the very beginning, it was found that the new engines weren't running in properly. Any views out there this conversation?

Apr 7th, 2009, 03:48 PM	#125
cedarbrook63 Contributor$ Ride: 2009 XL883 -> 1200 SE Stage 1 Join Date: Dec 29th, 2008 Location: Gloucestershire, England Posts: 623 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Poll Thanks as always for the dependable heads up Chief It is a bit worrying that the HD guy didn't seem to have his facts straight . I'll carry on with my original plan then and put the Mobil synth in now and a new filter. I liked the info on breaking in too. Thanks again Glider.

Apr 7th, 2009, 08:40 PM	#126
ALCORS11 New Family Ride: 2009 Raad King Classic Join Date: Mar 25th, 2009 Location: Easthampton, MA Posts: 6 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Poll I'm sold on Amsoil! __________________ 2009 FLRHC Stock

Apr 10th, 2009, 11:07 AM	#127
cedarbrook63 Contributor$ Ride: 2009 XL883 -> 1200 SE Stage 1 Join Date: Dec 29th, 2008 Location: Gloucestershire, England Posts: 623 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Poll Can't find Mobil 1 V twin in UK unfortunately and Amsoil is extremely expensive here. My dealership want to use HD Syn 3 but everything I read about it here has put me off. Have seen this one for a much more reasonable price on ebay: Silkolene Comp 4 20-50 Motorcycle Oil Anyone ever used this and any opinions out there? Thanks guys.

Apr 10th, 2009, 11:10 AM	#128
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,057 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Poll Check this out. Mobil in UK __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Apr 10th, 2009, 12:45 PM	#130
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,057 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Poll Can't hurt it any but depending on the miles on the bike, may not work as well as when it was new. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

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