Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Oil recomendations

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 17, 2017 | 10:14 PM
  #1  
Russty__'s Avatar
Russty__
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 295
Likes: 37
From: Baltimore
Default Oil recomendations

Before you guys hang me, I tried using the search tool to do research and everything under the sun just comes up in reference to this... I want some straight forward up to date answers from the gear monkeys that you are..

I live in Maryland where the summers are hot and very humid. My 48 (sportster 1200) is coming up on its 5000 mile oil change, also going to change the Primary oil while im at it. First oil change at 1000 miles, Syn3 was put in it and i just feel like theres better oil out there...

1. Which motor oil do YOU recommend for this hot and humid state?
2. Thinking about Redline for the primary, but which kind?

Pic for attention.

 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2017 | 11:17 PM
  #2  
sawka's Avatar
sawka
Tourer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 359
Likes: 56
From: Dallas
Default

ready
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2017 | 11:18 PM
  #3  
TriGeezer's Avatar
TriGeezer
Seasoned HDF Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
Default

Use the slippery stuff.
 
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2017 | 11:27 PM
  #4  
Dsrieth's Avatar
Dsrieth
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 140
Likes: 16
From: Hays
Default

I use m1 15w50 in crankcase and formula + in primary. Change both at 3k mile intervals
 
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2017 | 12:49 AM
  #5  
arthur6's Avatar
arthur6
Advanced
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 93
Likes: 5
Default

3 thousand miles?
I go 9 to 10 thousand.
All good tho
 
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2017 | 04:39 AM
  #6  
Eagle15's Avatar
Eagle15
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 164
Likes: 9
From: UK
Default

Motul 20/50 full synthetic harley spec in both holes

Like those bars how do you extend the electrics
 
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2017 | 05:29 AM
  #7  
harleyrider4300's Avatar
harleyrider4300
Tourer
Veteran: Army
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 359
Likes: 100
From: Florida
Default Put on your flak jackets

Syn 3 in engine, formula + in primary/tranny.
I live in Florida hot and humid the majority of the year. Can't go wrong with synthetic in the engine. Formula + has always worked for me in primary/tranny

That said it's a personal choice!!!!!! Everyone has an opinion on this subject. It is the pre-verbial can of worms.
 
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2017 | 05:52 AM
  #8  
shanneba's Avatar
shanneba
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 443
From: Indianapolis
Default

Red Line recommends the 75w-90 diff lube for the current Sportster Primary/Transmission.

You could also use the Red Line 75w-90NS (without the limited slip friction modifier)
You could use the MT-90 manual transmission fluid.
You could use the 75w-110 diff lube, it is very close to the viscosity of HD Formula+.

I would suggest you not consider any of the "Shockproof" Red Line Lubes for the Sportster primary/transmissions. They do not work well with the clutch in the HD shared primary/trans of the Sportster but do work well in the Big Twin separate transmission.
 

Last edited by shanneba; Jun 19, 2017 at 03:44 PM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 18, 2017 | 06:04 AM
  #9  
hexnut's Avatar
hexnut
Banned
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 226
From: middle Tennessee
Default

I use Red Line 20W50 synthetic in the engine and Red Line 75W 90 GL5 gear oil in the trans.
Parrothead on the other forum has 206,000 miles using Harley SYN3 in the engine and Formula + in the trans so what can I say.
 

Last edited by hexnut; Jun 18, 2017 at 06:59 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2017 | 06:20 AM
  #10  
cvaria's Avatar
cvaria
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 2,215
From: Tallahassee, Florida
Default

you get a pass on this one cus MD, selflessness, and fire trucks.

mobil 1 synthetic 20w-50 or hd synthetic 20w-50 are that go in mine. i used hd dino 20w-50 one and the bike noticeably ran hot otter and made more top end noise

K&N KN-171 (B or C) filters awesome and easy AF to get off, i refused them for years and feel stupid for it


don't waste time on oil. It's silly and that's why you are getting the "c'mon bro" type responses

 

Last edited by cvaria; Jun 18, 2017 at 10:10 AM.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:09 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE