2023 HD Road Glide Limited. HPL V-Twin 20w-50. 7400 mile analysis.

[Panda87]

Hey all,
I tested my HPL V-Twin 20w-50 engine oil at 7400 miles to get an idea of how far out I could run it. Standard oil and filter interval for these is 5000 miles. This engine has liquid cooling around the exhaust ports, but this oil sample saw some pretty hellacious stop and go interstate traffic jam time in 95+ degree humid ambient temperatures. I’m a part time motorcycle safety instructor so I spend a lot of time doing low speed maneuvers at 2k rpm and a lot of time blasting 80 down the interstate to coach at sites around the state. This bike is my daily driver, rain or shine.

The oil held up well and I have full confidence in running it to 10k, doubling the OCI.

 

[EvoMan]

Looks good. How many miles on your bike and what oil filter are you using?

 

[Panda87]

Looks good. How many miles on your bike and what oil filter are you using?

Hey Evo, I’m at 9500 miles on the bike as of yesterday and had around 7400 on it when I pulled the sample. I replaced the factory fill at around 600 or so miles.

Filter is the Amsoil Eaom34 I believe. I’ll have to double check the number, but I bought a case of them when I bought the bike.

 

[fantastic]

Sn probably coming from bearings. 20w-50 should be a good fit though. Stay visible out there.

 

[Panda87]

Sn probably coming from bearings. 20w-50 should be a good fit though. Stay visible out there.

I’m hoping it’s just break in material from them. I’ll test my next engine oil fill at the same interval and see if those numbers decline. Thanks for the pointer to the bearings

 

[Panda87]

Sn probably coming from bearings. 20w-50 should be a good fit though. Stay visible out there.

Referencing your “stay visible” part of your comment. I just got my new Aerostich R3 in gray with neon shoulders, elbows, and knees/shins. This thing is outrageously comfortable, the neon impact zones are bright, and the 3M reflective strips on it work really well. Hoping it helps while I’m riding around the state coaching! Hope you’re doing well man.

 

[fantastic]

Referencing your “stay visible” part of your comment. I just got my new Aerostich R3 in gray with neon shoulders, elbows, and knees/shins. This thing is outrageously comfortable, the neon impact zones are bright, and the 3M reflective strips on it work really well. Hoping it helps while I’m riding around the state coaching! Hope you’re doing well man.

That is awesome! I don't tell anyone what to wear but your preference for this gear is exactly what I did. We need to be seen as much as possible & reflective strips are helpful. MO recently no longer requires helmets now & there are many I see that no longer wear head protection. I don't know if you have a passenger w/you or buddies you ride w/but what I was going to do eventually was to get a helmet w/communication radio for talking w/another. Not sure what's all out there but thought that would make talking while riding more understandable. I couldn't afford what you Harley boys can so I stuck w/Kawasaki's.

Good job!

 

[Panda87]

That is awesome! I don't tell anyone what to wear but your preference for this gear is exactly what I did. We need to be seen as much as possible & reflective strips are helpful. MO recently no longer requires helmets now & there are many I see that no longer wear head protection. I don't know if you have a passenger w/you or buddies you ride w/but what I was going to do eventually was to get a helmet w/communication radio for talking w/another. Not sure what's all out there but thought that would make talking while riding more understandable. I couldn't afford what you Harley boys can so I stuck w/Kawasaki's.

Good job!

lol! I don’t own my own car, so this bike is my only mode of transport. My wife and I both share an old 2014 Navigator, but she also has a Rebel 1100 that she uses to get around when I’m watching our sons. Our bikes are what we are on 90% of the time.

I use the SENA mesh units in my helmets because that’s what my CVMA chapter predominantly uses, so it makes life easier. Cardo produces better units overall if I’m being honest.

As for your ‘Stich, which one are you rocking and in what colors!? Cool to run into another road grimed astronaut here on BITOG! I got tired of coaching MSF classes all day while soaked to the bone during a rain I rode through to get to the range and I’ve been wanting a stich for years and finally bit the bullet,

 

[fantastic]

lol! I don’t own my own car, so this bike is my only mode of transport. My wife and I both share an old 2014 Navigator, but she also has a Rebel 1100 that she uses to get around when I’m watching our sons. Our bikes are what we are on 90% of the time.

I use the SENA mesh units in my helmets because that’s what my CVMA chapter predominantly uses, so it makes life easier. Cardo produces better units overall if I’m being honest.

As for your ‘Stich, which one are you rocking and in what colors!? Cool to run into another road grimed astronaut here on BITOG! I got tired of coaching MSF classes all day while soaked to the bone during a rain I rode through to get to the range and I’ve been wanting a stich for years and finally bit the bullet,

That's great you taught classes! I learned how to ride in 2010, put the wife on the back of my then 750 cc Kawasaki Vulcan & then rode to Orange Beach, AL for our honey moon vacation. We earned our "Iron butts" & learned real quick that it was not a two person bike.

I shop at:

https://bohnarmor.com/
https://www.gryphonmoto.com/#/
https://opticsoutfitter.com/collections/motorcycle

Here's the last Nomad I had.

 

[Panda87]

That's great you taught classes! I learned how to ride in 2010, put the wife on the back of my then 750 cc Kawasaki Vulcan & then rode to Orange Beach, AL for our honey moon vacation. We earned our "Iron butts" & learned real quick that it was not a two person bike.

I shop at:

https://bohnarmor.com/
https://www.gryphonmoto.com/#/
https://opticsoutfitter.com/collections/motorcycle

Here's the last Nomad I had.

View attachment 234201

lol, that would be like trying to do 2 up on a Shadow 750 . It can technically “do it” but it doesn’t mean it’ll be fun or pain free . I’ve done VA Beach to Fort Walton Beach, FL on a 2006 Yamaha R6 about 8 times. I didn’t realize it was less than 50 miles shy of an iron butt every time I did it. Took me 13.5 hours. Only way I survived was because I was 18! .

That Nomad looks comfy!!! Bet she’ll eat some miles like it’s nothing.

 

[loneryder]

I would not let the Primary oil go that long. Normally it's very dirty at 5k miles. I would change that if nothing else. You have clutch debris in there coating the chains. Can't be good for them.
If this is your first Harley, what are your impressions? I went from Suzuki to Kawasaki to Harley and really liked it.

 

[Panda87]

I would not let the Primary oil go that long. Normally it's very dirty at 5k miles. I would change that if nothing else. You have clutch debris in there coating the chains. Can't be good for them.
If this is your first Harley, what are your impressions? I went from Suzuki to Kawasaki to Harley and really liked it.

Yeah, agreed. If you peep my post here of the UOA of the primary (mine has the breather tube from the factory), you’ll see that my experience definitely points to 5k service on the primary due to dirt ingestion at that tube.

Yeah, it’s my first HD. I was a “never Harley” Guy for years for the same reason I dislike football…the fanaticism. I had a ‘21 Goldwing and due to combat injuries, the mid mount foot position made my knees and back scream. I needed something with forward foot positioning to get my feet forward of my knees for pain relief. That pretty much landed me between the RGL and the Indian Pursuit. The pursuit is a better motorcycle out of the gate, hands down…but they charge for that too. An 8k price premium versus the RGL made the HD choice a begrudging no brainer.

I traded my Goldwing and got the RGL at a dealership 2 hours away. The Goldwing had me aching and wanting off in 40 minutes riding to the dealership. In completely stock form, I didn’t have a single ache or inkling of one over the 2 hour trip home on the RGL. When I test rode the bike, I told my wife “I really hate to admit this…but this HD is supremely comfortable…I hate this.” My wife was even questioning me like “Are you REALLY sure you want to ride a Harley…?”. In the end, I’m very happy with the comfort. I added the HD adjustable backrest and some highway pegs and I can ride from one end of Alabama to the other (~6 hours) without a single ache. It’s been a great bike!

 

[loneryder]

That back rest is a life saver. Extended my riding by hours. None of my 3 Harleys had a vent tube in the primary but it still got dirty. I had 3 engines...88, 96 and 103 all twin cams. Your story is interesting because I kept wanting to try a Goldwing but every time I sat on them something didn't feel right. Also I had the same attitude as you about Harleys and iPhones but once I made the change was very happy.

 

[Panda87]

That back rest is a life saver. Extended my riding by hours. None of my 3 Harleys had a vent tube in the primary but it still got dirty. I had 3 engines...88, 96 and 103 all twin cams. Your story is interesting because I kept wanting to try a Goldwing but every time I sat on them something didn't feel right. Also I had the same attitude as you about Harleys and iPhones but once I made the change was very happy.

Too right on the backrest!

The rider triangle on the Goldwing is a big miss. I’m their target rider size at 5’6” and typical Japanese size (though I’m significantly more muscular and heavier at 190lbs) and the bike just wasn’t that “pinnacle of touring supremacy” the older wings were known for.

Ironically, I’m also very happy with my iPhone

 

[gman2304]

That back rest is a life saver. Extended my riding by hours

X 1,000

 

[loneryder]

Too right on the backrest!

The rider triangle on the Goldwing is a big miss. I’m their target rider size at 5’6” and typical Japanese size (though I’m significantly more muscular and heavier at 190lbs) and the bike just wasn’t that “pinnacle of touring supremacy” the older wings were known for.

Ironically, I’m also very happy with my iPhone

I’m 6’2” 220# and it wasn’t comfortable just sitting on it.

 

[Panda87]

I’m 6’2” 220# and it wasn’t comfortable just sitting on it.

Dude the seat is a complete brick lol

 

[maineiac]

Did someone say, "“pinnacle of touring supremacy” ?

 

[Panda87]

Did someone say, "“pinnacle of touring supremacy” ?

View attachment 236191

THAT was what I had in mind when I bought my wing. My 21 was nothing like the previous editions. My grandfather had a mid 90s wing with AC. Some of the best memories of my youth are on the back of that bike . How many miles do you have on yours?

 

[maineiac]

It's embarrassing that I only have 24K miles on her (she's a cream puff), but she shares duties with a 1200GS and a Honda Forza 300... and a sports car and a boat and... you get the idea ;-)