Redline Tranny oil= smoother shifting?

[sugardoo]

I rode my friend's 01 GS1150 and noticed that it shifted way better than my '02R. I have a hard time in the lower gears and over-all the shifting just isnt smooth/precise. I am running BMW synthetic multiviscosity (don't remember which one) in the tranny and my friend suggested using the same as his bike- Redline HEAVY shockproof gear oil.
I read that this is a 250 weight oil and just worried it might be too thick. The reason I worry is b/c I beat the hell out of my bike. Living in Texas, there is no short supply of roads that continually tempt me to hit 130+ mph. I want smoother shifting but I also want reliability.
Your feedback is much appreciated.

[MikeCam]

I used it in every Boxer I had. Will switch the current Boxer also.

Transmission only, not final drive.

Looks like red paint when you pour it, slowly, into the tranny. Immediate and noteworthy improvement to performance.

Hard to find in my parts. But worth the effort.

[Boxer]

I use it. It sets on the shelf at my BMW dealer and they recommend it highly. I've got it in the tranny and final drive.

[BigC]

Shockproof is great stuff and since you live in TX, I wouldn't worry to much about the heavy variety. I have that in my subie and it works great although in the winter, I almost need to use two hands to shift when it's cold, lol. That 250w is what they compare it to but not what the "actual" viscosity is...I don't believe.

I had some redline 75-90 gear oil lying about here that met the Hypoid, GL5 spec. so I put that in the tranny a couple days ago. The non NS variety. We'll see how that works. Typically it's not recommended for tranny's but that mostly a synchro issue which I don't believe will be a problem here. Open to suggestions on that one though....

[Panzerleder]

I contacted Redline ... and they recommend Redline Heavy for both transmission and final drive. I've been using their products for years in all my cars and motorcycles with great results.

[marecycling]

So, what is the skinney here, should the Redline be used over others in the final drive, also? If not,why not?

[Panzerleder]

The "skinney" is ... you can't do any better than Redline:

RED LINE SHOCK PROOF GEAR OIL

Technical Information

Red Line Synthetic ShockProof Gear Oil provides unequalled protection for high-performance differentials and transmissions, which are heavily loaded or which see shock-loading. This revolutionary lubricant is completely different from conventional lubricant technology in several ways. The viscosity characteristics are significantly improved. Gear teeth need high viscosity at high temperatures, to prevent metal-to-metal contact and a low viscosity when cold to reduce fluid friction. The ShockProof chemistry significantly reduces the thinning effect of high temperatures.

The Heavy can be rated as 75W250 gear oil, but has the lower internal fluid friction of an SAE 75W90. The LightWeight can be rated as a 75W140 Gear Oil, but has the lower internal fluid friction of an SAE 30 Motor Oil. The SuperLight can be rated as a 75W90 gear oil, but has the lower internal fluid friction of an ATF (or like antifreeze).

These ShockProof lubricants provide much greater viscosity in the thin layers between the gear teeth, but have very low internal fluid friction, which means very little power loss for the protection achieved. ShockProof Gear Oil has a 40% lower co-efficient of friction and 250% the load carrying capacity compared to conventional gear oils, which means that metal-to-metal friction is greatly reduced. Temperature reductions between 25 degrees F to 75 degrees F are common in drag, circletrack, and road racing.

Improved durability in high performance use is the primary benefit of the Heavy ShockProof and along with the improved durability is an improvement in efficiency, but if further improvements in efficiency are desired, and durability is not a major concern, LightWeight and SuperLight ShockProof can be used.

The cushioning effect of the ShockProof chemistry allows the use of one of the lighter viscosities in many performance applications with little sacrifice in durability. Red Line ShockProof can be used in conventional, limited-slip, or locker, differentials. Red Line ShockProof is designed for use in competition differentials and transmissions.




The above graphs display the unique performance characteristics of the Red Line ShockProof chemistry. The wear is 1/10 that of a petroleum product at moderate loads, and the coefficient of friction is nearly half. The most significant improvement comes with the ability to operate in extreme pressure regions with nearly three times the load which can be handled with a conventional petroleum gear oil and the wear obtained is significantly lower at all pressures.

Note how the Red Line Synthetic 75W90 Gear Oil is a significant improvement to the petroleum gear lubricants (most other synthetics are not significantly better than their petroleum counter-parts). All ShockProof viscosity grades will provide similar metal-on-metal load-carrying capabilities, the higher viscosities will resist squeeze out better than the lower viscosities.

BENEFIT SUMMARY

Greatest extreme-pressure protection
Lowest coefficient of friction available
Reduces temperatures dramatically
Provides thicker oil films between gear teeth
Completely resists throw-off
Reduces metal-to-metal contact
Compatible with petroleums and synthetics
Low fluid friction to improve power transfer
Provides gear teeth shock loading protection
Reduces gear noise

[OU812]

Not at my BMW shop. Where else can I get this stuff?

[Panzerleder]

Try here:

http://www.myoilshop.com/

[apaulcopy]

My old R1100R always shifted clunky...until I poured in Red Line. Shifted muich better after that. Good stuff. Considering "shifting" to Red Line in my 1150. Very high quality stuff IMHO.

[Rick Lee]

For the NoVA guys, I know OG Racing in Herndon carries Redline and I believe most of the Fairfax Auto Parts stores do too.