Its starting to hit the upper 30s for lows in the am here. Are people still running 20w-50, or are you guys dropping to 15-50, 15-40, or 10-40? Still hitting 50s-60s for highs here.

 

i think it depends on how your bike starts when its cold. 20/50 may be a little slugish if its 30 out, and your battery has a few years on it. so running 10/40 may be ok if its listed in your manual for winter operation. its been said synthetic oil flows easier in the cold so if it helps prevent wear thats a good thing.a lighter oil will also be easier on your starter. so check your owners manual and do what they reccommend.

 

I usually wait until the temperature gets to around 30-40 degrees, before I change. Temperature also has to stay cold and not warm up during the day.

I switch to diesel 15w40 after it gets cold and stays cold. Not changed yet, because it has been too warm in the day.

 

I switched to Mobil 1 15W-50 synthetic for year round use. Synthetic 15W flows well in the winter and I still get the 50W protection for summer heat.
Easy to find and the price is right- $4 a qt. at any Wal Mart ($20 for 5 qt. jug) and is API SM/SL/CD/CF so it meets HD's specs.

I also hearRotella Synthetic 5W-40 is a good choice in winter too...

 

I have never quiet understood why Harley continues to use 20w50 in their motors. 15w50 has the protection for summer heat and flows better when cold. I've seen Mobile One 15w50 at Wal-Mart several times.....I must say the price is very reasonable to any other synthetic oil out there.

 

Agreed.20W-50 works, but 15W-50 gives better year-round flexibility.
BTW- I will post a UOA with the M1 15W-50 after 5000 miles- in a few months. I think it'llshow results comparable to M1 V-Twin, which costs twice as much...

 

I still run my Redline 20/60 here in the NC mtns., I start in the garage where the temps are , at worst, around 45 degrees when its thirty out. Since SW Florida and eighty degree (most of the Winter) temps are the norm is only a month away, it works for me.

I have found little difference IF any between 20/50 and 20/60 as far as cold starting is concerned and I am more likely to spend more time in warm temps. than freezing ones.

IF I ran in very cold weather in the Winter I would definitely switch to the Mobile one 15/50 as I believe it is the greatest bargain in oils for our bikes.

EZ

 

I run 20w50 synthetics all year. I just let the bike warm up a bit longer when it's under 50 degrees.