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[Streetglide1]

I think his point was that there is an article or a thousand for any given product for or against. Me personally, I look for personal testimony (word of mouth) when I am researching products or services I am not familiar with, like RGlideKid gave.

I hear ya :2vrolijk_21:There's a thousand articles about a thousands products. I normally don't go by articles as much as I do personal experiences or shall I say from somebody that's had first hand experience on an issue.

[Puma]

I've never used an oil that made a noticeable difference in the way a motor sounds. Having said that, I only use synthetic and my mechanic and I like Spectro Heavy Duty: 20w50 in the motor, Six Speed syn. in the transmission, and Primary Chaincase in the, yes primary.

[J-Carr]

My oils better then your oil, my oils better than yours...  We've been singin this tune for a long time.

At 40k I had to replace my lifters and cams.  Not uncommon on these 110 garbage motors of Chinese part origin.  But I used the miracle Ams Oil in my bike for most of that period.  Since then I've gone to HD Syn 3 because I get it every year during a dealer inventory clearance sale.  50k with that stuff and its still going.  Not blaming Ams Oil.  Not crediting Syn 3. Just saying that it didn't make anything any better.  And for the premium price I paid over the oil changes I did I could've save enough to cover the 50 deductible on the ESP.

Personally, I think there's some pretty solid evidence and research out there that any quality synthetic performs about the same.  Additives don't work (Except for Motorkote... but there's now a world wide shortage since its made of Chuck Norris tears and he hasn't cried since 9/11/2001).  Frequent oil changes and monitoring to ensure the level remains good seems to be the "magic bullet".  Not paid spokesman and the guy equivalent of Mary Kay Commandos selling it at every garage you find.

[kiro]

Frequent oil changes and monitoring to ensure the level remains good seems to be the "magic bullet".

Think you hit the nail on the head there J-Carr... Probably doesn't matter too much what oil goes in provided it's changed regularly and checked frequently. 

[ultrarider123]

I use the HD synthetic in all my Harley Davidson motorcycles.  I like it, it's easy to find/ready available.  I've thought about other brands and read many comments on other brands here on the site (and this latest thread once again about oil.... ).  The HD dino oil in the past and now the HD synthetic has served me well over the years.  As for me and my house, I will continue to use the MoCo branded oil on my MoCo branded motorcycle....and I feel very comfortable about that...

[Puma]

My oils better then your oil, my oils better than yours...  We've been singin this tune for a long time.

At 40k I had to replace my lifters and cams.  Not uncommon on these 110 garbage motors of Chinese part origin.  But I used the miracle Ams Oil in my bike for most of that period.  Since then I've gone to HD Syn 3 because I get it every year during a dealer inventory clearance sale.  50k with that stuff and its still going.  Not blaming Ams Oil.  Not crediting Syn 3. Just saying that it didn't make anything any better.  And for the premium price I paid over the oil changes I did I could've save enough to cover the 50 deductible on the ESP.

Personally, I think there's some pretty solid evidence and research out there that any quality synthetic performs about the same.  Additives don't work (Except for Motorkote... but there's now a world wide shortage since its made of Chuck Norris tears and he hasn't cried since 9/11/2001). Frequent oil changes and monitoring to ensure the level remains good seems to be the "magic bullet".  Not paid spokesman and the guy equivalent of Mary Kay Commandos selling it at every garage you find.

Best advice on this thread. Seems like common sense, but some people have very little of that.

[Para Bellum]

Well Next change I am going to do this with the AMS oil, I have heard nothing but good, How many miles do you guys go before you do the oil change with the non-synthetic 20w-50 AMS?

Does AMSOil make a non-synthetic?   

[grc]

Does AMSOil make a non-synthetic?   

Nope.

Jerry

[jrod_141]

just changed the oil/filter on the CVO Limited at 735mi.  Yes, i know.  the dealer says 1000mi.  Actually i was lazy, and intended to change it at 500mi.  Call me crazy, but break-in, ring seating and just the initial wear-in always generates some sort of metal shavings, and i can't stand knowing that they're just floating around my engine, especially my shiny-new 110".

Anyhow, i put in Amsoil in the engine (amsoil primary and trans lube are en route via ups).  I am always surprised by the improvement that i can always feel with the amsoil.  On my 04 FLSTC, the operating oil temp dropped by 15*.  I'm not sure about the CVO (as far as oil temp), but i can definitely feel the difference in idle smoothness, throttle response, and even a little on the "butt dyno." 

I know that HD touts the crap out of their SYN3, but I have tried every "good" synthetic oil on the market over the years (in addition to reading more than my fair share of independent (not sponsored by the big oil companies) studies and wear-scar tests.  Amsoil always out-performs.  Granted it's not (for instance) a 200% improvement over mobil 1 or red line, but it does rate 10%-15% better on wear scar tests.  However, improvement on wear-scar alone does not account for the engine smoothness, or throttle response gained by using amsoil.  It has to be the additive pack.  Something about their additive pack is extremely slick, and reduces internal friction enough to be decidedly noticeable. 

I'm pretty excited to see if the shifting gets smoother when the amsoil trans lube gets here.  It has always made a big difference in the trans.  FYI i ordered the amsoil v-twin primary lube and transmission lube for the primary and trans, respectively.  Sure i could put the same 20w-50 in there too, but i'd just rather use a lube that was tailored for the job, and not just something generic. 

Also for anyone curious,  the oil system holds 4(.03?) quarts.  Oil change took 3.5qts.  not too bad i suppose, and pretty much on-par with everyone else from what i can gather.

[jrod_141]

I've reached the point that if I can perform a fluids change for half the price - and still use quality products - I'm all for that.

Personally, i use amsoil in the vehicles that i care about (for instance, the OL's town car gets it; the beater ford windstar we have does not).  I have used amsoil in the crank case and transmission of countless vehicles (with 2 wheels and 4) and there has always been a discernible difference post-amsoil.  For instance, the 91 Dodge Stealth (which is known for eating synchros around 100k) was grinding from R-1, and 1-2.  After I put amsoil in the trans, the 1-2 grinding went away.  And as previously stated, putting amsoil in the crank case of my 04 FLSTC netted me 15* lower oil temps, and a smoother running TC88. 

Same results in the CVO (except i can't say for sure on the oil temps, without a good way to monitor, currently).  There are many studies out there touting Amsoil.  The one that caused me to try it in the first place (many moons ago) was a study done by the city of Altamonte Springs, FL.  They had two vehicles, one control and one amsoil (Police cars, chevy caprice).  The decrease in maintenance costs of the amsoil vehicle (over the service life of the vehicle) was pretty amazing.  Also, this study was done in the late 80s or early 90s (when the caprice was still around).  Amsoil was that good then, and it's that good now, IMHO. 

for the modest cost difference (especially since for $20/year you can get wholesale prices, directly through amsoil), i'll keep using it.  The ONLY exception that i have ever made to using amsoil is in the other stealth (91 twin turbo).  The transmission has redline in it.  The redline has a slightly different additive pack, and the finicky synchros seem to like it just a little bit better than the amsoil.

[steps off of soap box]   

[jrod_141]

How many miles do you guys go before you do the oil change with the non-synthetic 20w-50 AMS?

AmsOil doesn't make a non-synthetic.  I change my amsoil at 3-4k (which most people are going to flame the crap out of me for), but the justification (in my head, anyway) is that by then I have lost about 20% of the initial viscosity, and used up at least some of the additive pack.  It's just peace of mind for me.  i spent 40k on the CVO, i'll spend $50-$60 every 3-4k to change the oil and filter.  She is my daily driver, and i'd like her to last as long as possible.  i'm an engineer, and i probably overthink it (who am i kidding; i overthink everything), but seems like a small price to pay.  I spend more than that on a carton of smokes, so why would i go 5-8k on an oil change.  because i can? no, sorry.

[Streetglide1]

I am now running the AMSOIL, it does quiet the drive train down, rode about 700 miles this weekend, will see in the future what the results will be, I am hoping for less fuss during oil changes and cooler temps which seem to be the case this weekend.

[Para Bellum]

I switched from amsoil 20w-50 to 60w bc of the high heat we've been having and the Sturgis trip. Noisy valve train is quieter.

[ChuckB]

Don't want to turn this into a which oil is better war, but has anyone try the Quicksilver 20w50 synthetic V twin oil that Walmart sells?

[Robmay]

I switched from amsoil 20w-50 to 60w bc of the high heat we've been having and the Sturgis trip. Noisy valve train is quieter.

So your valve train was noisy with the 50?

Rob