First service

BOWHIKER · Sep 16th, 2009, 10:56 AM

I've been reading all sorts of pros & cons regarding syn oil for both cars and bikes . I'm told not to use syn3 but hd 360 is good , and if i want to go to synthetic the dealer wants to use syn3 but when i got the 1k done he recommended staying with the hd360 . Amsoil claims to be the best but can only buy on line , royal purple looks good but dealer won't use it could cause a warranty issue . So i'm really up in the air about this subject and highly cosidering just using the hd360 which has as far as i know a very good track record . When i read the comparrisons in the auto industry it manly came down to the synthetics were not worth the extra money and i read 3 different sites that all said pretty much the same thing . As far as i can tell the biggest advantage is at engine start up . I don't know what to believe or not .

glider · Sep 16th, 2009, 11:33 AM

First off they cannot void any warranty if you use an oil that meets or exceeds the oil that is recommended for the engine whether it be Harley sold oil or other brands. Your dealer is trying to brain wash you about this. Ask him to put that in writing, bet he declines to do it.

Dealers And The Magnusson-Moss Act - Harley Davidson Community

The Dino HD oil is a good product but the SYN 3 is NOT and above all not in the transmission. You need a gear oil in there if you want it to last. Would you put mazola cooking oil in the engine? Why not? It's not made for it.

Here's some tried and true suggestions for oils...
Oil Suggestions For Harleys - Harley Davidson Community

The major benefit of using the synthetic oil in the engine is a bit better cooling and less friction than dino oil but the main benefit is that it can withstand temps higher than the dino oil and will not break down as fast in hi temp air cooled engines.

Oil Breakdown At Temps - Harley Davidson Community

Don't listen to everything this particular dealer tells you unless you verify it else where. Call different dealers and watch how the song changes between them and then form your own conclusion. Deal;ers are in it to make money so naturally thery want to sell THEIR product and will try to discourage you from buying other brands because they don't make any money on them.

Get the service manual and do your own services. It's not difficult and you know what oils were used and that they were filled properly and the plugs were installed properly unlike many other times if you look around the forum where they neglected to fill the primary in one post and the drain plugs weren't tightened in yet another.

Only trying to pass on what I have done and learned in this business since 1969 to try to save you money.

Your choice after that.

Road King 1 · Sep 16th, 2009, 05:36 PM

It's a good thing they would work with you. My dealer sold to new owners and not sure what they will be charging. The old owner was 300

Sep 16th, 2009, 10:56 AM	#11
BOWHIKER Warming The Wheels Ride: 2009 night train Join Date: Sep 8th, 2009 Location: ANKENY , IA Posts: 52	Re: First service I've been reading all sorts of pros & cons regarding syn oil for both cars and bikes . I'm told not to use syn3 but hd 360 is good , and if i want to go to synthetic the dealer wants to use syn3 but when i got the 1k done he recommended staying with the hd360 . Amsoil claims to be the best but can only buy on line , royal purple looks good but dealer won't use it could cause a warranty issue . So i'm really up in the air about this subject and highly cosidering just using the hd360 which has as far as i know a very good track record . When i read the comparrisons in the auto industry it manly came down to the synthetics were not worth the extra money and i read 3 different sites that all said pretty much the same thing . As far as i can tell the biggest advantage is at engine start up . I don't know what to believe or not . __________________ Live Long Ride Hard

Sep 16th, 2009, 11:33 AM	#12
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,008 My Mood:	Re: First service First off they cannot void any warranty if you use an oil that meets or exceeds the oil that is recommended for the engine whether it be Harley sold oil or other brands. Your dealer is trying to brain wash you about this. Ask him to put that in writing, bet he declines to do it. Dealers And The Magnusson-Moss Act - Harley Davidson Community The Dino HD oil is a good product but the SYN 3 is NOT and above all not in the transmission. You need a gear oil in there if you want it to last. Would you put mazola cooking oil in the engine? Why not? It's not made for it. Here's some tried and true suggestions for oils... Oil Suggestions For Harleys - Harley Davidson Community The major benefit of using the synthetic oil in the engine is a bit better cooling and less friction than dino oil but the main benefit is that it can withstand temps higher than the dino oil and will not break down as fast in hi temp air cooled engines. Oil Breakdown At Temps - Harley Davidson Community Don't listen to everything this particular dealer tells you unless you verify it else where. Call different dealers and watch how the song changes between them and then form your own conclusion. Deal;ers are in it to make money so naturally thery want to sell THEIR product and will try to discourage you from buying other brands because they don't make any money on them. Get the service manual and do your own services. It's not difficult and you know what oils were used and that they were filled properly and the plugs were installed properly unlike many other times if you look around the forum where they neglected to fill the primary in one post and the drain plugs weren't tightened in yet another. Only trying to pass on what I have done and learned in this business since 1969 to try to save you money. Your choice after that. __________________ 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!

Sep 16th, 2009, 05:36 PM	#13
Road King 1 Warming The Wheels Ride: 2008 Road King Classic Join Date: Sep 15th, 2009 Location: O'Fallon, MO Posts: 80	Re: First service It's a good thing they would work with you. My dealer sold to new owners and not sure what they will be charging. The old owner was 300

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First service

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