Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Originally Posted By: BigCahuna
Originally Posted By: alarmguy
I dont disagree with you but you pretty much stated what I said, maybe a little more clearly.
Harley Recommends their oils (not uncommon) and if unable to use their oil, use a Diesel oil. Not a motorcycle oil, not an automotive oil.
Victory and Indian also want an HEDO, maybe deposit control. All I know there must be a reason as the oils from all three companys are formulated like diesel oils. They contain high magnesium and/or boron in quantities like the diesel oil..
No big deal at all, use whatever makes one happy. Just explaining why I dont even have to think about it if you follow your owners manual. I for one, like you, know full well you do not have to pay crazy high prices for oil because most of it is just marketing. As Diesel oils meet both API Classifications for Gasoline engines in automobiles and the extra designation of huge Diesel engines in trucks, yet priced lower then most oils carrying only the Gasoline API.
I guess what I am saying, their is reasonable priced oil for all engines but people get caught up in marketing from oil companies, more so in their toys, like motorcycles.
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One more thing, Harley also recommend's you change the diesel oil out and go back to Harley's oil asap. No mention about using diesel oil for a full oci. So if your going by the book, will you be dumping that Mystic oil out of your bike anytime soon?. By not doing so, your not following the mfgrs recommendation for the proper oil to use in their product.,,,
Here we go again, Ill say this in the open forum and people can use reason to do what they wish.
Your being facetious and playing on words. Most people know a manufacture can not REQUIRE you to use only their products to maintain a warranty. I am SURE you must be aware of that.
SO you have two choices, Harley Oil or Diesel C rated oil. Im not so sure what is so hard to understand, its quite simple.
Does Harley recommend motorcycle oil if you dont use Harley oil? NO
Does Harley recommend gasoline only motor oil if you dont use Harley oil? NO
Does Harley recommend Diesel Rated API oil if you dont use Harley oil? YES
So whats the big deal? Why all the thought? Why not just choose what is mentioned? EVEN MORE SO when the makeup of the darn oil is just like the makeup of the c rated diesel oils. This isn't rocket science.
SO if one is choosing an oil, pick whatever you think best, same goes for a car, boat, truck or airplane, for me, I think the manufacturer knows best with their product over what people THINK.
But we all do whatever floats our boat, I do what is best for me, for the reasons mentioned.
If you think you or someone you know in here is smarter then the manufacture, use what they say.
If I own a BMW I will use API or Euro oils mentioned by BMW, if I own a Porsche I will use oils recommended or mentioned by Porsche.
If I own a Ducati I will use oils mentioned by Ducati, or Victory, or Indian or whoever.
This is not about Harley, this is about using the proper fluids, in this case proper API rated oils, you can read whatever you want to, spin it anyway you want to but we all know what to do if you trust the company that built the product to know what is best for it.
No big deal, not worth any further discussion.
For a guy that has said more then once to use what oil the mfgr recommends, your not practicing what you preach. Harley does not recommend long term usage of diesel oil. They say to use it ONLY if their branded oil isn't available, and you take that to mean it's approved to use all the time. If your not gonna tell the real story, it's probably better you don't discuss it any longer.,,