My tranny doesn't make any noise it didn't already make - like the clunk that it makes when shifting. The bike takes longer to warm up and cools down faster with the syn in it. I went twice as far between oil changes, as I used to this time (6K) between oil changes. I might not do that next time - seems the new oil is getting dirty (dark) already - means to me - that the inside got cruddy last time.
Other than that - I like the syn, bike runs cooler and seems to handle the heat better.
Just went on a couple hundred mile ride yesterday - my buddy said his Harley was starting act up and over heating while mine was running nice - it was 109 in the shade. He's using the dino oil in his bike.
SO - I think it was a wise choice for me to go to the syn in all 3 and I'm happy I did it.

AS for the blocks under the back tire (First I want to say thanks... but) - I fk'd up and didn't get the jack in the right place and it was just easier to block the back wheel instead of dropping the bike back down to the ground and resetting the jack 1" farther to the front so I could fit the other 2 jack stands under the back side of the frame...

This is Southern California... AS in "It Never Rains In Southern CA" But when it does it pours...
I've been really lucky - I only got caught in one down pour - and because it's so dry out here the oil and road film gets pretty thick, so when it does rain - everything slips - probably studded snow tires would slip... That said: as I got farther into the wet ride last time and the roads started to get cleaner the tires worked pretty good actually - just be really careful on those painted lines and arrows they're using these days... they are ALWAYS SLIPPERY - EVEN WHEN DRY!!



Right now I have almost 7k on my set - Some of the guys I ride with can't believe how much life is still left in the back tire - But on average I usually get 10k out of a back tire. This one looks like it will do that - can't say it will do more - but I ride it like I stole it more often than not.


As mentioned - same here.



I liked the Dunlops and still do - I just like these more.

The ride is smoother - seems the side walls are not as stiff as the Dunlops. As for traction I can corner with both but the Michelin's seem to do it easier.

I'm really happy with the upgrades/updates over what came with the bike 19 years ago... I'm glad I did the new oils and tires.

Is the Michellin tire a dual compound tire? What are the average mile a back tire?

just got done doing my 197, 500 service, when I got back from NJ I had 197,850 for miles and real hot, so dropped the oil then jumped in the pool. Come back to the bike and changed the filter and added the 5 quarts of old school oil, well not that old it's is a multi-viscosity Harley oil not he old P-105, also front motor mount check and replace a grommet on my inner fairing cap. Tomorrow nor later tonight will clean the kn filter and oil it, just bought another kit a Harley for 12.95 which I think is the same price as AutoZone. Coming home took mostly back roads to Ma., like 7 lakes drive, bear mountain bridge, 9D to a little town called cold spring then I think it was 310 to the Taconic state parkway which is a nice ride and the biggest road I took. Then it was23 to 22 to route 2 "the Mohawk Trail" to 190 to the Harley dealer then back to Shrewsbury. It is a nice ride and the trip goes through no cities, I guess the biggest city is North Adams Ma. The pool felt great
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I don't have anything against dunlops. I got about 9k on the back and the front still had tread.
When I went looking for new tires I decided to try the Michelins. I looked at other tires too but after reading the reviews I went with Michelins.
So far I'm pretty happy with them, they corner really well and they grip pretty good. I've got 6k on them and there holding up with no signs of wear.
If they last longer than my Dunlop's did I'll continue to use them. I'm all about getting the most bang for my bucks.

I just did my 20k service. I hope my bike last as long as yours has. Are you going to have a big party when you hit 200k?

It will be a private party, just the Bike and I. I don't think I will see 300,000 but my friend made a statement that he doesn't think I will lap him again. He bought his bike 5 months before I got mine, I passed him the first time a while ago, now I have 197,800 and he has 117,000, so I guess that is a challenge. That is my next goal
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I believe so, but you can't tell from looking at them.
I will say they corner great - just check out Weljo's latest set of videos - "Two Harleys in a Hurry" some great footage of us rumbling through the back roads and the RoadKing leaning way over on the entrance ramp to the freeway.

Hey DS,
197,500... In my wildest dreams I can only hope I get that kind of usage from my bike... at the rate I'm going it will only take me a few decades more
You're the man!!