| Author | Message | ||
     Nsbuell |
Should I expect my XB9 to shift better now that I've switched to HD Synthetic...because it doesn't yet after about 1000km? I keep reading about everyone getting smoother shifts with synthetic...maybe I need Mobil or Amsoil? The clunky shifting is still one of my only complaints about this bike. | ||
| Unibear12r |
Synthetic made little difference in my XB. It made a huge difference in my S3. I bet the reason was because of the age of the oil in the S3, otherwise with a good tranny I don't think you'll notice. | ||
| Ejiii |
I use Redline 20W-50 in the trans. Shifting got a lot smoother for me. | ||
| M1combat |
Mobil-1 75-90 gear oil in mine. Shifts a good deal better. Make sure your primary chain is adjusted properly. When you drain the primary oil... Level the bike for a little while to get that last little bit out. Fill with one full quart and you'll have the right amount (or at least that's what I get on my '04 12R). The oil level in the primary is pretty important to the feel of the transmission. I didn't change to synth in the trans until about 2K miles. I don't know if that's what helped, but I wanted to make sure it was broken in. I noticed the difference, but to be honest I did adjust the primary chain tension at the same time... Also... Don't be gentle with it. It shifts very positively (especially into 3,4,5 and neutral) if you just use more force. Also... make sure the lever is adjusted properly for you  . | ||
| Holling |
I switched to synthetic gear oil too and did not really notice any diff. in shift quality. I have not checked primary tension yet. (4k mi.) Also switched to synthetic engine oil and noticed engine is noisier at idle. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Oil level is sort of critical. If memory serves, ( a increasingly rare event:-), it doesn't quite take a full qt, so it is not too difficult to overfill. Primary adjustment is a good idea too. I do believe that after installing mobil one 75w90, and adjusting the primary chain, I got the impression that it shifted rather more smoothly. Now at 7,000, shifting is really not an issue. | ||
| Cataract2 |
I would recommend nothing other than Mobil 1 75/90 in the primary/trans. I used Mobil 1 15/50 for a short (and I do mean short, like 3 days) time. While shifting was good I found neutral to be hard to find sometimes. Go back to 75/90 and all is good now. | ||
| Brucelee |
Ditto the Mobil 75-90. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I have no problems finding neutral & I still have sport-trans in it. Maybe the last 6 years on my Sporty have conditioned me? I find the XB (compared to sporty) to be a pleasure to shift & I love the unbelievably light clutch lever pull. (again compared to sporty). None the less, I will be switching to HD Syn3 on the next change just for the hell of it. | ||
| Lovematt |
I recommend Mobil 1 or Valvoline 75-90W Full Synthetic. It is stinky but it sure works well. The other thing is make sure your Clutch and Primary Chain are at the proper adjustments...otherwise the sliperriest lubrication won't help much. | ||
| Emscityx |
at my 1,000 check up (actually, my XB9XS's)) I had H-D Synth put in the primary.....no noticeable difference. Doesnt bother me, it still shifts fine. | ||
| Flick |
The only place my shifter "hangs up" is going from 1st to 2nd gear (a bit notchy). When I switched to HD Synth 20-50, shifting improved noticeably, except for 1st to 2nd (still a bit notchy). I have 30,000kms (20,000 miles) on mine, and it just seems to be getting better with age...kinda like me... |
