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[ultrafxr]

Just saw this.  For only $11.99 you too can get the fabulous Harley tested and approved multi-vis synthetic gear oil for your tranny and primary.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/heavy-synthetic-gear-oil

Here's what John Maxwell has to say about it.

[dayne66]

Amsoil  &  Redline heavy are both proven .......not buying the HD snake oil

[ultrafxr]

Amsoil  &  Redline heavy are both proven .......not buying the HD snake oil

Nope.  Me neither.  But it is interesting how the moco finally succumbs and jumps on the bandwagon when $$ are at stake.

[rayson56]

John does some really informative down to earth videos. While I'll stick with my choice of fluids it's still a good video for the less informed/experienced people out there.

Thanks for sharing

[TraumaSlave]

I will stick with Mobile 1 and Red Line. Motor sounds much better than with HD in all three holes.

[J.D.]

Funny how the local dealer service tech years ago shook his head when I told him I was using synthetic 75w-140 differential gear oil in my transmission.

[ultrafxr]

It's all such BS imo.  Any modern lubricant that meets the industry specs for its application - engine, tranny, etc., should be A-OK imo.  Beyond that it's all a matter of personal preference based on experience and recommendations from those we trust.  As long as you use quality lubricants that meet specs and change then as per schedule then all should be OK I would think.   

[rayson56]

I will stick with Mobile 1 and Red Line. Motor sounds much better than with HD in all three holes.

Exactly what I use and recommend, but still worthwhile info. in the video for the newbies.

[motor1]

Harley's new gear oil will certainly guarantee one thing; at least 5 threads over the next year on which is the best gear oil??? I can never get enough of them!

[2k]

Funny how the local dealer service tech years ago shook his head when I told him I was using synthetic 75w-140 differential gear oil in my transmission.

Been keeping the MoCo in business for many years but not their snake oil. Switched to Mobil 1 in 1975 and was told by the Dealer that I was crazy.....it was to slick. I told them "internal combustion engine, better oil, I'll take my chances." Fast forward, Syn 3 hits the market and I am crazy not to use it. Blah Blah

[iski]

Harley's new gear oil will certainly guarantee one thing; at least 5 threads over the next year on which is the best gear oil??? I can never get enough of them!

Yep. And people will post charts and graphs paid for & promoted by the oil companies "proving" their gear oil is superior to the other gear oils.

Harley is late to the party on gear oil, must have noticed their sales slipping.

 

[J.D.]

My local dealers have been stocking Red Line primary and transmission oils for awhile now, so it's no surprise.

[McLarenCVO04]

Nice video I'll have to sub to this guy since I'm a newbie. Seems like he has good info.

[JCZ]

I remember the Harley mantra from back in the 70s and early 80s...about the time that dealership ownerships started changing from actual riders to auto and RV dealership owners....."don't use synthetic in Harley's, it's to slippery and will cause flat spots".  Now they preach to use Harley Davidson branded synthetics.....always trying to catch up rather than lead.   

[ultrarider123]

Funny, and some of you'uns have already mentioned this, but first off the MoCo preached Dino oil only (their brand) and not to use that synthetic snake oil.  They they finally put synthetic in their SE models, selling the rest of us peons the same thing in bottles, their brand again.  Now they put syn in most of their models in all three holes, their brand, and NOW are telling us to use a gear oil in the primary/tranny instead of Syn 3....and they wonder why we don't trust what they say...

Motor1 is correct...can't wait for all the gear oil thread discussions...

I'll start...I use the MoCo offerings in motor oil cause I've always had good luck with it AND it's readily available everywhere I go.  If'n I change to a gear oil (probably not), I'll use the MoCo first.  Larry Poole (great friend and among other things a top notch Harley mechanic with a few HD related U.S. patents...he's with the Lord now...) always said he could tell when he tore down a motor whether it was running Motor company oil or not.  It worked for him and it's worked for me these past 40 years so I'll stick with it...

[iski]

Funny, and some of you'uns have already mentioned this, but first off the MoCo preached Dino oil only (their brand) and not to use that synthetic snake oil.  They they finally put synthetic in their SE models, selling the rest of us peons the same thing in bottles, their brand again.  Now they put syn in most of their models in all three holes, their brand, and NOW are telling us to use a gear oil in the primary/tranny instead of Syn 3....and they wonder why we don't trust what they say...

Motor1 is correct...can't wait for all the gear oil thread discussions...

I'll start...I use the MoCo offerings in motor oil cause I've always had good luck with it AND it's readily available everywhere I go.  If'n I change to a gear oil (probably not), I'll use the MoCo first.  Larry Poole (great friend and among other things a top notch Harley mechanic with a few HD related U.S. patents...he's with the Lord now...) always said he could tell when he tore down a motor whether it was running Motor company oil or not.  It worked for him and it's worked for me these past 40 years so I'll stick with it...

Also the ever popular - "Heard if you don't use all Harley oils/fluids you will void your warranty."

 

[J.D.]

I like how they chose an uncommon 80w-140 whereas most gear oils are either 75w-140 or 85w-140 so it's that little bit harder to match exactly.

[bigchuck]

I will stick with Mobile 1 and Red Line. Motor sounds much better than with HD in all three holes.

Mobile1 V Twin formula available at any Walmart. Easier to find a Walmart than a Harley dealership and they are always open. This help in not mixing brands of oil when on road trips and need oil now.

[iski]

I like how they chose an uncommon 80w-140 whereas most gear oils are either 75w-140 or 85w-140 so it's that little bit harder to match exactly.

True but either one of those viscosities should work just as well.  It ain't rocket surgery.   

[rayson56]

Mobile1 V Twin formula available at any Walmart. Easier to find a Walmart than a Harley dealership and they are always open. This help in not mixing brands of oil when on road trips and need oil now.

Well said, and Mobile 1 V Twin is available at NAPA's and Auto Zones as well.

[J.D.]

True but either one of those viscosities should work just as well.  It ain't rocket surgery.   

Indeed.  I've run all sorts of oils in the transmission with essentially no issues, but have found 75w-140 works best for me personally (no I don't have any data to back that up - just clean drain plugs and good shifting feel).

[Para Bellum]

Funny how the local dealer service tech years ago shook his head when I told him I was using synthetic 75w-140 differential gear oil in my transmission.

I'm a chemical engineer by training, worked many years for a major oil company, and have extensive experience with production of natural and synthetic oil.  The simple truth is that techs receive almost zero training in the specifics of motor oil, mostly b/c it's not needed for their daily duties. 

The problem comes from the mismatch between techs' education and the public's assumptions about their knowledge level.  Fortunately, most riders on this forum have realized that techs are mostly parts-replacers.  Neither techs nor dealers have any desire to change this, since the dealers and HD make more money with more parts replaced, and it's usually faster for techs to replace parts than to spend time on in-depth troubleshooting.

I've seen other videos by this guy, and he's pretty good at a lot of things, yet he admits he doesn't know that much about oil.  Ironic considering the title of the video.   

[LC110]

I see they also recommend this for use in the primary.

[Para Bellum]

Riders have a diminishing interest in Harleys because Harley has a diminishing interest in riders.

Ain't that the truth.  smh