Bandit Alley

GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MECHANICAL & TECHNICAL => Topic started by: FreediverGa on January 29, 2006, 01:12:17 PM

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: FreediverGa on January 29, 2006, 01:12:17 PM

Which do you regularly use and why 20W-50 or 10W-40?

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: Wooddog on January 29, 2006, 02:52:54 PM

I use 10w40 in the winter and 20w50 in the summer, I probably would not have to, but thats what  I have been doing for a while, since  some other Motorcycle Manufactures recommend doing this if you ride alot in the winter, the 20w50 is to thick for cold temps.

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: GaryB12VA on January 29, 2006, 03:13:41 PM

Quote from: "Wooddog"

I use 10w40 in the winter and 20w50 in the summer, I probably would not have to, but thats what  I have been doing for a while, since  some other Motorcycle Manufactures recommend doing this if you ride alot in the winter, the 20w50 is to thick for cold temps.

That's pretty much what I do. A couple of years ago I went to Deal's Gap for Thanksgiving weekend and hadn't switched from 20-50 back to 10-40 yet. One morning it was about 30 degrees and after sitting outside all night, the Bandit didn't want to start. I was  staying at the San Ran motel in Robbinsville in one of the single rooms towards the back of the motel, so I just rolled the old Bandito right inside the motel room for about 30-45 minutes to warm it up a little and it started right up.

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: aussiebandit on January 29, 2006, 08:01:48 PM

I use 10w40 all the time, unless I need to top up when on the road and can't get it then I'll use 20w50.

Having said that, I've NEVER had to top up the oil between services on the B12.

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: ray nielsen on January 29, 2006, 08:16:26 PM

I've had good luck with Mobil 1 15W-50 year around, even in cool weather here in Minnesota's spring and fall temps.

The pour point is -45 degrees F and even at 20 degrees it seems quite liquid and the Bandit starts readily and warms quickly.

Regular mineral oil in a 20W-50 usually has a pour point about +8 to +14 degrees F which probably causes harder starting.  Most motorcycle manufacturers recommend 20W-50 down to temps around 32 degrees as a minimum.

Title: 15w40
Post by: bandibull on February 04, 2006, 01:58:01 AM

I like 15w40 myself.

    Big "A" synthetic diesel oil.

     :beers:  :beers:  :beers:

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: snofrog on March 19, 2006, 01:34:23 AM

20-50 for me thanks.why ? just what i`m comfortable with ... if it`s 30 some degrees out i`m not going to be riding, period

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: dsartwell1 on March 19, 2006, 07:33:01 AM

+1 for 15-50 Mobil 1 at any sane temperature. 20F is about as cold as I can stand.

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: mike on March 19, 2006, 08:39:50 AM

I always ran 20w50 GTX, but that was in TX and SC, which never sees snow., but TX sees some 110 degree summers.  Plus, I'm not a lover of riding in the cold.  To me anything below 60 is a definitie "let's think twice about this for a minute" before suiting up...

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: RowdyRed94 on March 19, 2006, 04:28:34 PM

Nothing but Mobil 1 15-50.

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: Vlad on March 19, 2006, 07:16:52 PM

Quote from: "RowdyRed94"

Nothing but Mobil 1 15-50.

+1
Considerably smoother shifting, IMO.

Title: 20W-50 or 10W-40
Post by: B6mick on March 19, 2006, 07:22:29 PM

20w50 all the time, reason with the bikes often used in and around the city centre doing courier work, and running hot, I reckon with the extra hot running protection of the 20w50 is my best shot.