Harley-Davidson Shifts Gears on Synthetic Motor Oil

The best oil for your Harley Davidson Motorcycle
Read the article below and see for yourself. Details of what you need for specific vehicles are at the very bottom.

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Why Harley Owners Choose AMSOIL
Wear Test Comparison AMSOIL vs. Harley Screamin' Eagle Syn3:

The recent introduction of Screamin' Eagle Synthetic Lubricant by Harley-Davidson indicates the Motor Company has finally recognized the benefits of running synthetic motorcycle oil in their air-cooled engines. After years of advising dealers and customers to avoid using synthetic oils in their bikes, it's natural to wonder why the company is suddenly marketing one.

For the past 20 years, Harley-Davidson has claimed its petroleum-based Genuine Harley Davidson Oils is best for the �unique requirements of Harley-Davidson air-cooled V-twin engines.� However, laboratory testing has consistently revealed the Genuine H-D Oil does not provide the best protection possible for Harley-Davidson engines. In fact, Four-Ball Wear Tests show Harley-Davidson 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil leaves a wear scar over 50 percent larger than that left by AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle oil.

The Harley Davidson Screamin' Eagle 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil leaves a wear scar of 0.70 mm while the AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil leaves a wear scar of 0.39 mm.  The Four-Ball Wear Test is the industry's standard test method for measuring the wear preventative characteristics of a lubricant.  Placed in a bath of the test lubricant, three fixed steel balls are put into contact with a fourth ball in rotating contact at preset test conditions of 40 kg pressure @150 deg. C., 1800 RPM for 1 hour duration.  Lubricant wear protection properties are measured by comparing the average wear scars on the three fixed balls.  The smaller the average wear scar, the better the protection.

One of the major benefits of running a synthetic motorcycle oil is its resistance to oxidation and thermal degradation, which inhibit the formation of sludge and deposits that contribute to increased wear. In the past, Harley-Davidson has defended use of its Genuine H-D Oil by arguing that oil breakdown in extreme hear is a non-issue because extreme heat conditions are not normally faced by motorcycle engines, while the superior cold-temperature benefits of synthetics also don't apply to Harley's.

The fact is, engine oil in Harley-Davidson motorcycle is subject to very high temperatures. Being air-cooled, Harley-Davidson engines get especially hot while idling in traffic, commonly reaching temperatures up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. As heat and oxidation increase, so does viscosity, adversely affecting the lubrication qualities of the oil and increase wear.

The water, soot and acid byproducts of combustion also contribute to deposit formation. Harley-Davidson has stressed the importance of regular oil changes in order to remove these contaminants. Of course, promoting regular oil changes is also a good way to promote using petroleum-based Genuine Harley-Davidson Oil. High quality synthetic oils formulated with high-performance additives effectively withstand such contaminates allowing motorcyclist to safely extend drain intervals. 

In support of their about-face and the introduction of synthetic oil, Harley maintains, �the Motor Company has never supported the use of synthetic products in our vehicles because there has never been any test validation completed on the numerous formulation in HD/Buell motorcycles. This product has been exclusively designed for Harley-Davidson and is the only synthetic product TESTED and CERTIFIED by Harley-Davidson engineering for use in H/D Buell motorcycles� 

Although this is necessary marketing hype, Harley-Davidson V-twin air-cooled engines are not unique in their lubrication requirements and do not require a special Harley-only fluid. There is nothing about Screamin' Eagle Synthetic Motorcycle Oil that sets it apart form, or makes it better than, many other synthetic motorcycle oil formulation except that Harley-Davidson is marketing it and directly profiting from the sales. 

According to Harley-Davidson, one of the unique benefits offered by Screamin' Eagle Synthetic Motorcycle Oil is its versatility. For the first time the company is recommending and oil that can be used in the engines, primary chain cases and transmission of most Harley-Davidson motorcycles, including Evolution XL, Evolution 1340, Twin Cam 88 and 88B, Revolution and Buell models. This feature, however, is not unique. AMSOIL 20W-50W Synthetic Motorcycle Oil may also be used in the engines. Primary chaincases and transmission of these applications, providing superior lubrication protection in each component. 

How does Screamin' Eagle Synthetic Motorcycle Oil measure up to AMSOIL in wear protection? Four-Ball Wear Test results indicate that AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil still provides the best protection possible for motorcycles. In fact, Screamin' Eagle Synthetic Motorcycle Oil leaves a wear scar nearly 80 percent larger that AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic motorcycle Oil.

Not only does AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil offers greater wear protection than Screamin' Eagle Synthetic Motorcycle Oil, it also delivers greater value Suggested retail price of Screamin' Eagle is nearly $2 a quart higher than AMSOIL 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil. And because AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oil may be used for extended drain intervals, while Screamin' Eagle is recommended for standard drain intervals, AMSOIL customers realize additional savings.

Harley-Davidson claims Screamin' Eagle Synthetic Motorcycle Oil has been �exclusively designed� for use in their motorcycles, pointing to extensive bench testing and over 230,000 miles of durability testing to back it up. AMSOIL, INC. has 30 years of experience providing superior lubrication protection for all brands of motorcycles, and AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils have been tested in millions of over-the-road miles. Testimonials from countless motorcyclists further demonstrate the superiority of AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycles Oils. 

Formulated with top-of-the-line synthetic base stocks and high-temperature deposits control additives, AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils provide superior protection and performance for motorcycles in all operating conditions. AMSOIL Motorcycle Oils effectively withstand oxidation and thermal degradation, keep wear to an absolute minimum, hold contaminants in suspension and keep engines running cool and clean.

AMSOIL Synthetic Motorcycle Oils

• Reduce operating temperatures
• Keep engines clean and deposit-free
• Provides maximum protection against wear
• Formulated without friction modifiers for smooth performance
• Saves money with extended drain intervals of up to two times the manufacturers' recommendation

Please note:  Prior to Harley Davidson releasing a synthetic, we have found that many Harley-Davidson technicians were telling customers that synthetic motor oil is "too slippery" and can cause flat spots on roller bearings because the bearings won't turn.  Now that Harley-Davidson has their own synthetic, they don't mention that to much any more. It is both scientifically and chemically untrue.  The person telling you that is not a tribologist (lubrication engineer) and knows absolutely nothing about the science of lubrication. If they did they wouldn't be telling you such untruths. 

Synthetic motor oils are no more "slippery" than petroleum motor oils. The tractive coefficient, which is the measure of the case with which a lubricant facilitates sliding, is essentially the same for both petroleum oils and synthetics.  Synthetic motor oils are also used in many production and racing cars that have sophisticated roller follower technology and they have absolutely no problems whatsoever with roller bearings not turning.  We have an article on this which we will include in your package, that explains this in more detail. 

One of the most common questions we are asked is what is the recommended transmission lube for Harley Davidson motorcycle, both big twins and sportsters?

For 883cc and 1200cc sportster motorcycles, the AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is recommended for both the engine and transmission.

On the 1340cc and 1450cc models:

• 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is recommended for the engine crankcase
• Series 2000 75W-90 Gear Lube for the transmission and
• the 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil for the chaincase.

These recommendations are, in our opinion, superior to using one oil in all 3 areas as Harley Davidson recommends with the new Syn3. If you choose to you certainly can use the AMSOIL 20W-50 motorcycle oil in all 3 areas (engine, trans, primary) as a replacement for the Syn3 (which is a 20W-50 m/c oil), however it is our recommendation that it is better to use the specific products outlined above for superior performance.

Cross reference guide