Sportster tranny - which oil?

[Sillicon]

So I have a 2010 XL1200N, and I have been using Mobil 1 so far in the transmission. It seems to thunk into 1st gear pretty hard sometimes. Would changing to something like the Belray Sport Transmission fluid change that? Does anyone have any experience with that product? Is Amsoil better than Mobil 1 in the transmission?

 

[Donald]

I think Amsoil is a notch up from Mobil 1. Maybe not a huge notch, but a notch.

I use Amsoil in both my Chrysler vehicles and did also in a Camry and Suburban.

 

[ABerns]

What kind of Mobil 1?

In general, Amsoil seems to make some top-notch stuff. However, there may be other cheaper options, especially if we have a few more details about what exactly you are running in the transmission.

 

[tomcat27]

I've got a few HD buddies that insist that Amsoil made a noticable improvement in shifting. (Amsoil 20w-50) also, have you adjusted the primary chain recently?

 

[GMBoy]

You will never be able to eliminate all the "clunks" that a Harley transmission makes but it is true that some oils do work better than others. I have not owned a Sporty in years, but in my current big twins and in my past Sportys - Redline worked the best for me.

 

[oliveoil]

Don't use an engine oil in the trans/chain/strator case. I've had the smoothest shifting on my 05 Sporty with HD Formula+. It still clunks in first...but is better than anything else that I've tried. Don't use a GL-4 or GL-5 gear lube. It has exteme pressure additives that will harm Yellow Metal (the Strator).

 

[Errtt]

One of the bikes is a Sporty (97-1200) and when I switched from the Formula+ to Amsoil 20-50 (same used in the engine), about the only difference I notice is less fuzzy stuff on the drain plug magnet. Other than that, to me, at least this one, the shifting is about the same.

 

[kmrcstintn]

Quote:
Don't use an engine oil in the trans/chain/strator case. I've had the smoothest shifting on my 05 Sporty with HD Formula+.


why do Harley dealers state that their Syn 3 is usable in the trans/chain case/primary if NO engine oil???

 

[Sillicon]

I use the Mobil 1 V-twin 20W-50 in it.

 

[Sillicon]

Originally Posted By: kmrcstintn
Quote:
Don't use an engine oil in the trans/chain/strator case. I've had the smoothest shifting on my 05 Sporty with HD Formula+.


why do Harley dealers state that their Syn 3 is usable in the trans/chain case/primary if NO engine oil???


Because a 20W-50 engine oil is about the same viscosity as an 80W gear oil (or so I have heard). Also, that means that they have to stock less product. And, the Syn3 is more expensive for us to buy and probably costs them the same (or close to it) as the formula+. More $$$$ for HD.

 

[BigCahuna]

Rotella t 15w40 wt oil. It works in metric bikes and will help make a sporty shift as smooth and quiet as possible.,,

 

[rossn2]

Just completed 15k service on my bike and put Amsoil SAE 60w in engine, 75w-110 in transmission and Redline MTL in Primary.

 

[kballowe]

Harley Davidson Formula+ is a similar viscosity to 20W-50 motor oil and is formulated closely to many automotive manual transmission lubes, except for its thicker viscosity. This means a mineral oil base with few additives.

This application is not "hard" on oil but there is the consideration about the wet clutch.

Rotella 15w40 works well and is JASO-MA certified. Delvac 15w40 seems to give smoother shifts. HD Formula+ also works well. You could use a 20W-50 in there if you so desire.

Remember that HD has a mileage change recommendation.... but also recommends that it be changed annually. This is because of moisture accumulation.

NEVER use gear oil for a Sportster.

In the end - it's just one quart. Use what will make you sleep better at night.

 

[cfromc]

I've used just about all of them on my XL1200S (Amsoil, Redline, Mobil 1, old HD sportster lube, and a couple of conventionals) and I found that the HD Formula+ actually works pretty good. I wouldn't keep it in there for more than a couple years or 10K miles but the clutch feels good and the shifting is fine. Otherwise, my second choice would probably be Amsoil 75W-90.