Motorcycle Repair: HD Oil vs Other brands, harley sales, hd oil

Question
Hi Mike,

A friend of mine owns a Harley soft tail and yesterday he was telling me about the high cost of Harley brand motor oil, and how he only uses that brand because it is recommended.  My response was that "oil is oil ", especially if it is petroleum based and not synthetic, and it shouldn't make a difference to substitute another brand of oil that may save some money.  

So my question is:  If you were a consumer and NOT a Harley sales person, would you substitute oils in your bike if you thought it would save you money and not jeopardize the performance or wear of your engine ?   I just did some searching online and found that AMSOIL brand synthetic is highly recommended for Harleys and tests show that it even causes less wear than H-D brand oil.  With this knowledge would you consider using something other than a Harley product?  Just wondering. By the way, I'm not a AMSOIL dealer...just trying to save my friend a little money.  

Thanks,
Gary in WV

Answer
There has been a ongoing debate on oil for years in Harleys. Not sure how old you are, but years back the car manufactures said you should only use their oil. Now you can use any oil.
Harley recommends their oil, in my opinion, for one reason. To sell oil. As long as the oil you want to use is SAE oil and is the same weight, you will have no problem. I have been riding for years and have never put any harley oil in my bikes.
As to the synethic oil. A couple of years ago, harley said synethic oil was the worst thing you could put in your bike. Then they came out with their own brand, and now its the greatest thing since sliced bread.
I know many rider who use synsthic, AMSOIL is one of them, and never had any problems and wouldnt chenge to anything else.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike