Winter weight oil
#11
10-10-2012, 01:00 AM
Stellar HDF Member
+1 that's why it's multiple viscosity! 20W-50 means that in "Winter" (which is what the "W" stands for) the oil will act like a 20 weight oil and when at higher temperatures it will act as a 50 weight oil!
#12
10-10-2012, 01:12 AM
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OK, I've searched and can't find an answer. All I can fine is storing for the winter.
In the past I've changed to 10-40 motorcycle oil for riding in the winter(Chicago). I'm going to change my oil tomorrow, but the temps are still in the 50's today and back to the 60's in a few days. Will changing to lighter weight oil harm the engine in the short time interval before it starts going into the 30's and below? I usually ride every Sunday - as long as the roads are dry and free of salt.
I'm also thinking on just staying with the 20-50 and warming the engine somehow before going for a ride. Which is a little more of a PITA then just switching oil.
What say you all?
In the past I've changed to 10-40 motorcycle oil for riding in the winter(Chicago). I'm going to change my oil tomorrow, but the temps are still in the 50's today and back to the 60's in a few days. Will changing to lighter weight oil harm the engine in the short time interval before it starts going into the 30's and below? I usually ride every Sunday - as long as the roads are dry and free of salt.
I'm also thinking on just staying with the 20-50 and warming the engine somehow before going for a ride. Which is a little more of a PITA then just switching oil.
What say you all?
Here is the info that is in both manuals that I just looked at, one for an '09 and and other for an '11.
#13
10-10-2012, 08:04 AM
I was just looking for feedback on if it would harm the engine to use 10-40 for a short time before temps go down to the 30's this winter. I really don't want to put in 20-50 for a few weeks and then have to dump it for 10-40 for the rest of the winter.
I did put in 20-50.
I have an old waterbed heater that I usually put under the engine the night before going for a ride. Does a good job warming the engine.
I did put in 20-50.
I have an old waterbed heater that I usually put under the engine the night before going for a ride. Does a good job warming the engine.
#14
10-10-2012, 09:43 AM
I run 20W-50 oil all year round here in cold to hot Colorado. I don't think twice about changing something that works well and is within guidelines set by the factory. 
Redline!
Redline!
#15
10-10-2012, 10:14 AM
20-50 mobil 1 V twin all yr. I don't ride below 45 and the garage stays at least 65 all winter.
At 63 these ole bones stays cold for a looooong time after a ride in the cold..
.
At 63 these ole bones stays cold for a looooong time after a ride in the cold..
.
#16
10-10-2012, 10:20 AM
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Looking at the manual, there is no upper limit on temp for viscosity. I think you'll be fine if you put the 10-40 in now.
However, if it were me, I'd just run 15w-50 year round and be done with it. Also, what kind of riding do you do? if its 30 degrees out, and you pull you're bike out of a 50 degree garage and start it, you're still fine with 20w-50 if you are just going for a long ride, with a couple normal breaks, and then coming home. If you are going to commute or something where it sits outside and can cool down to the ambient temp, then you need to be more worried about viscosity
However, if it were me, I'd just run 15w-50 year round and be done with it. Also, what kind of riding do you do? if its 30 degrees out, and you pull you're bike out of a 50 degree garage and start it, you're still fine with 20w-50 if you are just going for a long ride, with a couple normal breaks, and then coming home. If you are going to commute or something where it sits outside and can cool down to the ambient temp, then you need to be more worried about viscosity
#17
10-10-2012, 01:21 PM
Garage is unheated so it's whatever the temp is outside.
We ride for an hour one way to a restaurant or brew pub for brunch then head home.
We ride for an hour one way to a restaurant or brew pub for brunch then head home.
#18
10-10-2012, 01:37 PM
I see it odd that the one poster is worrying about oil when he puts a old water bed heater under the bike at night to keep it warm.He really should be buying smoke detector batteries and fire alarms-----------------------from what I have seen of water bed heaters not covered with a bladder full of water
