redline vs syn-3 in tranny
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Yorktown Va
redline vs syn-3 in tranny
dealership I used to go to in Virginia pushed Belray and I have now they push Redline for the tranny.
Two dealers I spoke to here in Georgia both say go with the Syn-3 for tranny.
The one guy said something interesting that may make sense.
He said many people like the other grades like Amsoil or Red line because he says it makes the bike sounds smoother. But because those brands are so slick there is slippage in the tranny and overtime parts wear incorrectly.
I Definitely wonder if that's true because since 2006 on my last Harley parts and service said don't use Syn-3 in the tranny but down here in Georgia they almost insist on. I don't know what to think about this
Two dealers I spoke to here in Georgia both say go with the Syn-3 for tranny.
The one guy said something interesting that may make sense.
He said many people like the other grades like Amsoil or Red line because he says it makes the bike sounds smoother. But because those brands are so slick there is slippage in the tranny and overtime parts wear incorrectly.
I Definitely wonder if that's true because since 2006 on my last Harley parts and service said don't use Syn-3 in the tranny but down here in Georgia they almost insist on. I don't know what to think about this
Last edited by tripleb1911; Mar 2, 2015 at 04:12 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 50
From: Louisville, KY
dealership I used to go to in Virginia pushed Belray and I have now they push Redline for the tranny.
Two dealers I spoke to here in Georgia both say go with the Syn-3 for tranny.
The one guy said something interesting that may make sense.
He said many people like the other grades like Amsoil or Red line because he says it makes the bike sounds smoother. But because those brands are so slick there is slippage in the tranny and overtime parts wear incorrectly.
I Definitely wonder if that's true because since 2006 on my last Harley parts and service said don't use Syn-3 in the tranny but down here in Georgia they almost insist on. I don't know what to think about this
Two dealers I spoke to here in Georgia both say go with the Syn-3 for tranny.
The one guy said something interesting that may make sense.
He said many people like the other grades like Amsoil or Red line because he says it makes the bike sounds smoother. But because those brands are so slick there is slippage in the tranny and overtime parts wear incorrectly.
I Definitely wonder if that's true because since 2006 on my last Harley parts and service said don't use Syn-3 in the tranny but down here in Georgia they almost insist on. I don't know what to think about this
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 1,325
From: DeLand, Florida
They are probably the same dealers that told me that using synthetic oil in my 2000 TC88 would destroy it. At the time Harley did not market a synthetic. I have always thought it funny that once Harley sold a syn, it magically became OK.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,400
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From: Fort Worth, TX
I will never have my bike serviced at HD in Georgia if this is the type of info they are passing along. You have a constant mesh transmission, no slippage. Now a lot of people misuse the word transmission when they in fact mean primary (where your clutch is). There are a few clutch manufacturers that recommend only certain lubricants to be used with their clutch to keep it from slipping. Your stock clutch will be fine with any of the synthetics. And for your transmissions sake, use a heavier gear oil in it and not 20-50 engine oil.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,175
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From: Great State of Canada
Hi tripleb1911. Naw, the too slippery oil myth, as others have indicated, just isn't true. BTW, Amsoil and RedLine aren't even the same types of synthetic. One is a PAO the other is an Ester. They're both synthetic but are created altogether differently; not that it matters. What matters is that they won't cause harm to your bearings and sure as hell won't make gears slip. Clutch plates may be a different matter and RedLine has put friction modifiers into its dedicated "Primary" oil to address possibilities with regard to clutch slippage. In all probability, filling the primary exactly to mfgr's specifications probably does more to benefit clutch performance than anything else. I personally like the idea that RedLine makes product specific to each hole. Its common for fans of other engine oil brands to use RedLine in the tranny. Amsoil certainly gets great reviews too.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Great State of Canada
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