[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

On mine the gears were bashing into each other rather than gliding together, I wonder if this is were your getting the fine powder on your drain plug

May be...what's on the plug is very dark material..way more then I would expect to see after this many miles. The aluminum in the oil really has me concerned and even with the new heavier gear-lube, it still make bad noise..the noise of a mis-matched ring(crown) and pinion when on or off power.. or of a pinion with one very loose rear bearing. I guess I'll be into mine soon like you had to David. I'll be reviewing your threads closely..