Getting ready for a 3K-4K mike trip in the SW the end of July. Thinking about putting in 50wt Synthetic Lucas Oil in engine. The manual for my 2010 RG states 50wt for 60 degree up. I will definately be riding in temps hotter than 60. Anyone have experience running the 50 wt. I normally run 20-50 syn. but running all day at high temps my engine tends to get a bit noisey. Thinking the straight 50 wt syn.won't break down as quick with the high temps.

 

Certainly won't hurt anything, but if it were me I'd just use the same 20W-50 I always use...

 

I would recommend redline 20w60

 

If you put 50wt in and run at high temsp, you are NOT gonna be able to restart the motor in high temps. The purpose of 20-50 is that it is thin at start and thick during running. A 20-50 and a 50 shouldn't be that different when warm and running. But the 20-50 will start much easier. If you get temps below 60, the straight 50 may not flow fast enough if at all. You could even make it worse as the 50 will lube the big pieces, but have a harder time flowing all the way up to valves.

There are cars now (Honda, Ford) that come with 5-20. It reduces engine friction, thin oil is all that is needed in well put together engines. If 5-20 is enough for an engine then 20-50wt is way thick enough..

 

I would agree

 

Any of the good syns - Mobil 1,Amsoil or Redline are fine. What made a HUGE difference was the Amsoil 75-90 syn in my tranny - ***** like, well, a Jap bike...

 

I don't think 20/50 thickens at operating temperature. Isn't it a 20 weight with viscosity improvers that when heated is in the same viscosity neighborhood as a straight 50 when it's at temp? The straight weight should only be a problem in cold temps at startup.

 

Noisy motors are a common complaint with guys running synthetic oil. You could try a regular oil like Valvoline 20-50 mc, or their 20-50 VR1 racing oil. Running synthetic oil won't guarantee your motor will last longer, just like eating organicly grown food won't guarantee you'll live to 100.,,

 

Your better off with a good synthetic 20-50. You are going to have cold start ups and that's when the engine needs the lubrication.

The 50 & 20-50 are going to be very close to each other at operating temps but on startup they are a world appart and the 50 won't lubricate properly.

You are going to encounter a wide range of temps on your trip.

 

For further reference, Redline's 50wt syn, is actually thinner in viscosity than their 20-50 V-Twin oil. At 40c and 100c, both temps.