Engine/Primary/Trans OIL Question?
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Personally and with my first Harley ever, after trying other brands, I'll be using what Harley davidson recommends.
I just don't care anymore because like stated earlier in this thread and often on others, everyone has their preference for their own reasons.
I bought a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty when I bought the bike. I have the option of 2 additional years if I want it.
I'll run what Harley Davidson recommends and if it breaks, so be it.
Would I like it to run cooler??? Darn right I would but at temperatures high enough to roast a turkey, 10 or 12 degrees isn't going to matter to me.
My uneducated opinions only.
Greg
I just don't care anymore because like stated earlier in this thread and often on others, everyone has their preference for their own reasons.
I bought a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty when I bought the bike. I have the option of 2 additional years if I want it.
I'll run what Harley Davidson recommends and if it breaks, so be it.
Would I like it to run cooler??? Darn right I would but at temperatures high enough to roast a turkey, 10 or 12 degrees isn't going to matter to me.
My uneducated opinions only.
Greg
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 693
Likes: 98
From: Somerville OH
I have recently been doing alot of experimenting...I have found the following....
Engine-any good 20w-50(synthetic is best)personally Run Spectro HD V-twin 20w-50
Tranny- Running Amsoil Severe gear 75-90 no complaints
Primary- This gets tricky.... I have tried Spectro HD Primary chaincase lube(made my clutch slip)....Went to B&M Trick Shift ATF..Clutch feels really good but still a little clutch slippage when I'm on it hard in 5-6th gear,gonna check adjustment this weekend,if the clutch is in proper adjustment and it still slips then I'm switching back to HD Formula+ in the Primary.
Engine-any good 20w-50(synthetic is best)personally Run Spectro HD V-twin 20w-50
Tranny- Running Amsoil Severe gear 75-90 no complaints
Primary- This gets tricky.... I have tried Spectro HD Primary chaincase lube(made my clutch slip)....Went to B&M Trick Shift ATF..Clutch feels really good but still a little clutch slippage when I'm on it hard in 5-6th gear,gonna check adjustment this weekend,if the clutch is in proper adjustment and it still slips then I'm switching back to HD Formula+ in the Primary.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, Georgia
06 Ultra with Oil Temp Guage
New Member....I just finished a 4 day road trip through the mountains in Tenn, NC and SC then back to Ga....oil temp was great until I hit the interstate coming Home running 70-80mph...the temp soared up to around 230 degrees...which is not bad considering it was a scorching 90+ degrees and I'm told that as long as you stay under 250 degrees your oil and engine should be OK...normal running temp stays around 180 to 200 degrees on my Ultra...I like the oil temp guage and consider it a great investment....As for OILS, I have to agree with most of these posts.....everyone seems to have their own opinion...personally, I like Mobile 1 and Amsoil...but since I'm a new Harley Owner (3 months)I'm not qualified to offer any opinions yet.....However, I do strongly recommend the Oil Temp Guage?
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Ok, before you get ready to flame me or run for the popcorn, I am asking these questions after I have spent way too much time reading all of the searches that I have done here on this forum. Most searches run back 5 years and more.
My concern is that I have a 2010 Street Glide and more I ask the more I am confused. Either everyone here is a genius or we all are idiots. The service manual says to use 20w50 in all three holes. My local HD service manage says the same thing. Here is what I have found and learn (or should I say, not learned)
Engine:
Pretty much everyone agrees on 20w50 with a few suggesting 10w50 Mobile to save on the cost.
Primary:
Many suggest 10w40. Oils without friction modifiers. ATF.
Transmission:
Most say 75/90 Gear Oil and a couple said 75/140.
None of this agrees with my service manager or my service manual. I'm posting here in the Touring Section (instead of General Chat) to eliminate the shear number of "expert" opinions this could generate. Is this because the newer bikes are different from the older ones? Doesn't seem to be much logic to that assumption.
I would like some real/factual answers as to why you use something other than what is recommended in the service manual. I'm not looking for the all too common "Because I Like It" answers. We don't need to get into which brand is better than another unless a particular brand is the only manufacture of that particular oil.
I really would like to learn what works and why. Please just don't say what you use only, but WHY you use it. Give me a logical reason.
Thanks in advance,
My concern is that I have a 2010 Street Glide and more I ask the more I am confused. Either everyone here is a genius or we all are idiots. The service manual says to use 20w50 in all three holes. My local HD service manage says the same thing. Here is what I have found and learn (or should I say, not learned)
Engine:
Pretty much everyone agrees on 20w50 with a few suggesting 10w50 Mobile to save on the cost.
Primary:
Many suggest 10w40. Oils without friction modifiers. ATF.
Transmission:
Most say 75/90 Gear Oil and a couple said 75/140.
None of this agrees with my service manager or my service manual. I'm posting here in the Touring Section (instead of General Chat) to eliminate the shear number of "expert" opinions this could generate. Is this because the newer bikes are different from the older ones? Doesn't seem to be much logic to that assumption.
I would like some real/factual answers as to why you use something other than what is recommended in the service manual. I'm not looking for the all too common "Because I Like It" answers. We don't need to get into which brand is better than another unless a particular brand is the only manufacture of that particular oil.
I really would like to learn what works and why. Please just don't say what you use only, but WHY you use it. Give me a logical reason.
Thanks in advance,
Pick any good Synthetic Motor oil in 15/50 or 20/50 for your engine, But I would use a gear oil in the tranny. JMO
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, Georgia
For RonP42.......just wondering...Are you using the 70/90 weight Gear Oil (Red Line V-Twin with Shockproof) in Your 2010 Road King Tranny Now?....and Have you used it in other Harley's You have owned?.....I'm like vonzoog about this...I've had a dozen people tell me to use Amsoil Synthetic 20/50 in all 3 holes, several swear by Mobile 1, others say stick with Harley Recommendations, but the 70/90 gear oil in the tranny is interesting....
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
New Member....I just finished a 4 day road trip through the mountains in Tenn, NC and SC then back to Ga....oil temp was great until I hit the interstate coming Home running 70-80mph...the temp soared up to around 230 degrees...which is not bad considering it was a scorching 90+ degrees and I'm told that as long as you stay under 250 degrees your oil and engine should be OK...normal running temp stays around 180 to 200 degrees on my Ultra...I like the oil temp guage and consider it a great investment....As for OILS, I have to agree with most of these posts.....everyone seems to have their own opinion...personally, I like Mobile 1 and Amsoil...but since I'm a new Harley Owner (3 months)I'm not qualified to offer any opinions yet.....However, I do strongly recommend the Oil Temp Guage?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
I was a bit worried about the one size fits all nature of the Syn3 for all three areas, but I did a 1,000 mile service at 850 miles and did decide on the Syn3. The engine sounds somewhat quieter (for a big twin) and the shifting is noticeably smoother. Both differences are not enormous, but are significant. As I am not the type to keep my oil in anywhere for a very long period of time, I do not anticipate any problems. The Syn3 was recommended as a sole lubricant by my dealer and also by many on this site. At lease initially, I am impressed.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Harley would like you to use everything Harley, they have a vested interest.
Ok,
When I had my 05 RK, I used Redline in all three holes. 30000 miles later no problems. Using synthetic in the engine did create a little more top end noise. The shock proof in the tranny proved to be a big plus, shifting was smoother and neutral was easier to find. Then there is the added cost of synthetic.
Today,
I had my 1k service on my Ultra. I am still not sold about the synthetic in the engine and decided to go a different route this time. I put regular dino in the engine, Redline in the tranny and formula + for the primary. Once again, a noticeable difference in the shifting. We will see how this works out for me.
Good luck!
Ok,
When I had my 05 RK, I used Redline in all three holes. 30000 miles later no problems. Using synthetic in the engine did create a little more top end noise. The shock proof in the tranny proved to be a big plus, shifting was smoother and neutral was easier to find. Then there is the added cost of synthetic.
Today,
I had my 1k service on my Ultra. I am still not sold about the synthetic in the engine and decided to go a different route this time. I put regular dino in the engine, Redline in the tranny and formula + for the primary. Once again, a noticeable difference in the shifting. We will see how this works out for me.
Good luck!