I have a 2009 SG with 14750+ miles. The bike was serviced with SYN3 in all three holes beginning with the first oil change. Last Friday I changed the primary and transmission from SYN3 20W-50 to the HD Formula+ 50W and the results are good.

With SYN3 the up-shifts became somewhat rough and not always a smooth transition and the transmission sounded noisy. With the Formula+ the up-shifts are now easier and smoother. The transmission gear wine has quieted down, but 1st and 5th still wine. The noise is less and sometimes I cannot hear 5th. Took the bike on a 40 mile ride Friday evening in city traffic and out on the highway and the noise level is obviously less than before at 55 and 65 mph. I came to the conclusion the SYN3 was okay for the primary and transmission. A constant viscosity thicker oil would lubricate and cool as required, and would quiet down the primary and transmission noise better than the thinner SYN3.

I read a lot of the oil posts regarding the various oils everyone runs. There is no "holy grail" for oil, some are obviously better than others. For me the Formula+ works better than SYN3.

 

I run Bel-Ray gear saver 80w in trans (can not say enough about it) huge difference on my 09 Glide in trans.
Also running none syn Harley in primary.
Glad you found something you like.

Ride on.

 

I've learned in my primary that syn fluids don't behave any differently then cheaper conventional Especially rotella t 15w-40. It meets the jaso spec for wet clutches and is easy to find at a cheap price.
I'm still gonna spend 20 a quart on shockproof heavy for my tranny. After syn 3 going in this spring and there being an obvious operation difference. More clunky and notchy and I could tell it was different.

 

Crude Oil Prices 1947 - October 2011


Ooops...sorry, wrong oil thread.