Red Line users, do u recommend it?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
I have 42000 kms (25000 miles) on my bike. Used Syn 3 in all 3 holes til last week. After a lot of research I switched to Red Line in the trans & 20W50 dino in the primary. Still had 4 quarts of Syn 3 so I ran that in the engine. Apparently the consensus is that Syn 3 is hard on the clutch disc material. Shifting may be a little easier. Hard to tell. But finding neutral is definitely way easier. As far as pricing up here Syn 3 & Red line are about the same. $18.00 a quart/litre.
Rev
Rev
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 127
No independent shop will ever recommend a Syn 3 product or any other Harley branded product for the simple reason that they can not sell it. Harley products are only sold in franchised Harley stores. Our independent shops go to an oil distributor or jobber and buy their products at wholesale price and sell them at retail price. Independents will always recommend what they have bought and keep in inventory because that is how they generate income.
Redline products are good products as are many other branded lines of fluids. I seriously doubt if any one brand could be quantified as "best" because they are all good as long as the specifications are equal for your machine.
Redline products are good products as are many other branded lines of fluids. I seriously doubt if any one brand could be quantified as "best" because they are all good as long as the specifications are equal for your machine.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 1
From: Wa. state
An OIL subject... 
Since you asked, Switched from HD dino in my '10' FLHTK to H.D. Syn all around at the 1400 mi. service (for me anyhow) then went to Red Line at 5K all around. I read all the oil info and decided to try Red Line products..... http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/c...yclePowerpacks .... like it ... neutral no problems.... shifts smooth.... runs a little quieter, this is not a huge difference but somewhat quieter.
Since you asked, Switched from HD dino in my '10' FLHTK to H.D. Syn all around at the 1400 mi. service (for me anyhow) then went to Red Line at 5K all around. I read all the oil info and decided to try Red Line products..... http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/c...yclePowerpacks .... like it ... neutral no problems.... shifts smooth.... runs a little quieter, this is not a huge difference but somewhat quieter.
Last edited by ZZZCICI; Sep 2, 2012 at 12:33 PM. Reason: add link
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From:
red line
Mobil 1 in the motor, Red line primary fluid, shock proof in the transmission. Shifts smoother and a bit quieter. 20-50 is too light of an oil for gears. I did the fluid change overs at the 1000 mile service. However I see Royal Purple has some interesting aspects for vtwin motors. More ZDP !
Mobil 1 in the motor, Red line primary fluid, shock proof in the transmission. Shifts smoother and a bit quieter. 20-50 is too light of an oil for gears. I did the fluid change overs at the 1000 mile service. However I see Royal Purple has some interesting aspects for vtwin motors. More ZDP !
The auto industry is proving that oils with friction modifiers are helping car and truck engines last over 2 and 3 hundred thousand miles,so why is it bikes are toast at 150000.
Lack of friction modifiers. Do your homework. Friction modifiers all but eliminate start up wear because they stay behind after the engine had cooled,so no metal on metal contact. Zddp is an antiwear agent and if you know anything about the stuff it doesn't even activate until the oil is hot. So from cold to hot protection is limited at best.
Use whatever you guys want. I couldn't care less but look into real research,not the saleman recommendation or the ad on tv
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
I've tried switching from Mobil 1 70-140 gear oil to Redline in the transmission twice and cannot see any difference other than the color and stench when you change it.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
No independent shop will ever recommend a Syn 3 product or any other Harley branded product for the simple reason that they can not sell it. Harley products are only sold in franchised Harley stores. Our independent shops go to an oil distributor or jobber and buy their products at wholesale price and sell them at retail price. Independents will always recommend what they have bought and keep in inventory because that is how they generate income.
Redline products are good products as are many other branded lines of fluids. I seriously doubt if any one brand could be quantified as "best" because they are all good as long as the specifications are equal for your machine.
Redline products are good products as are many other branded lines of fluids. I seriously doubt if any one brand could be quantified as "best" because they are all good as long as the specifications are equal for your machine.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,698
Likes: 10
From: Longview, Washington
I'm riding my second Road Glide. 30K on this one and 45K on my last one. I tried Amsoil in the trans and it worked well although when I was riding in 100+ weather, the transmission would get a little noisy and harder to find neutral.
I switched to Redline and have none of these issues. It just seems to work better in the heat.
I know that oil is a very subjective topic. For that matter, you should try some of the Redline transmission oil and find out for yourself.
I switched to Redline and have none of these issues. It just seems to work better in the heat.
I know that oil is a very subjective topic. For that matter, you should try some of the Redline transmission oil and find out for yourself.