Author Topic: Please don't ban me, Oil question (Read 6870 times)

dsartwell1 · « **on:** August 23, 2005, 09:54:44 PM »

I've decided to try synthetic oil. Went to the zone and all they had in Mobil1 was 15W50. I did the search and saw mixed reviews. My question is not whether or not this is the best oil, but will it be OK to run in my B6. Starting to get colder here in PA. Is the 50 weight oil going to be OK. I'll be changing it again probably about Oct 1 with the miles I have been running so it shouldn't see any drastically cold temps.

txbanditrydr · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2005, 12:11:21 AM »

Based on what I read be sure it is the Extended Performance in the Gold Cap bottle.... that seems to be the oil d'jour. Changing it by October should not present any problems IMHO. Let us know what you think as I'm getting ready to do the same real soon for my 8,000 mile service.

Red01 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2005, 12:12:00 AM »

Got the owners manual for your B6? If so, there's a chart in there that will tell you how low of a temp Suzuki feels is safe for 50w.

Not sure how cool it gets in PA between now and Oct 1, but I'm guessing 15w50 will be OK until then.

dsartwell1 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2005, 09:21:22 PM »

Owners Manual was laying in front of me when I posted this.

Zook says 15W50 is good to about 0 deg F. I won't be riding when its that cold so I guess if I like it I can use it all year. Thanks for pointing out the obvious as I couldn't see it. I'll bump this when I get it in there and have some results to share.

2005B12S · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2005, 09:27:10 PM »

As most wear occurs on start up, I would not run 50W when temps consistantly go below about 60F. 40W works muck better at these temps. I will only run 50W when temps start exceeding 80F.

Ride On, Ed.
2005 GSF1200SZ
1983 GS750ED

PaulVS · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2005, 09:36:35 PM »

Mobil1 15w50 is one of the best things I've ever done to a motor vehicle.

Plain enough?

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2005, 10:25:13 PM »

Quote from: "2005B12S"

As most wear occurs on start up, I would not run 50W when temps consistantly go below about 60F. 40W works muck better at these temps. I will only run 50W when temps start exceeding 80F.

Ride On, Ed.
2005 GSF1200SZ
1983 GS750ED

Except when it's cold (ie; start-up), it's not 50w, it's whatever the first number is, in this case, 15w. (And your 40W is probably 10w.)

ray nielsen · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2005, 07:15:10 PM »

The number followed by the W is the viscosity at 0 degrees C or 32 degrees F. The number after the dash (as in 15W-50) is the viscosity at 210 Degrees F or about 100 degrees C.

Synthetics, even 15W-50, have pour points of about -45 degrees F, much lower than a non-synthetic oil of the same weight classification. This is due to the lack of paraffin or wax in the synthetic -- it allows better flowability at low temps.

I've begun to use Mobil 1 Truck & SUV oil in a 5W-40 weight -- mostly because it's got the highest diesel AND gasoline ratings, CI-4 and SL respectively. Even though there's a new spec., SM, a call to Mobil in Fairfax, VA confirms it passes the SM spec. too. I use it in my cars and Bandit 1200 -- seems to shift just a bit cleaner than the Mobil 1 15W-50 too, although I used that for years in all my bikes since about 1982 or so.

Diesel oils often carry more detergent/dispersants and can maintain their alkalinity (sp?) or total base number (TBN) better over a long drain interval than gasoline only S rated oils.

dsartwell1 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2005, 09:17:37 PM »

Sounds like I'm good to go. Won't be stretching my intervals too far but its good to know there'll be some extra protection. Thanks for the input.

2005B12S · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2005, 09:37:02 PM »

Quote from: "Red01"

Quote from: "2005B12S"
As most wear occurs on start up, I would not run 50W when temps consistantly go below about 60F. 40W works muck better at these temps. I will only run 50W when temps start exceeding 80F.

Ride On, Ed.
2005 GSF1200SZ
1983 GS750ED

Except when it's cold (ie; start-up), it's not 50w, it's whatever the first number is, in this case, 15w. (And your 40W is probably 10w.)

You are exactly right, my point was 15W-50 oil only provides extra protection at high ambient temps, there is absolutely no reason to run it when temps constitently drop below 55-60F. Here you are better with a 10W-40 for cold start-up. Hell, below about 45F, I don't even ride. Ride On-when its warm, Ed.

Red01 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2005, 11:54:04 PM »

<45F in the Big D... that probably doesn't last too long, does it?

I'm willing go riding as long as it's above freezing and no chance of running into ice anywhere along my planned route...
...that's what heated grips and liner are for.

2005B12S · « **Reply #11 on:** August 27, 2005, 03:42:27 PM »

I used to ride year round, but have turned into a puss in my older years. You can ride comfortably in Dallas late December then the bike goes into the garage until mid March. I travel for a living so Winter passes fairly quick.
someday Souith Florida will be home but by then I'll be too decrepit to reach for them clip-ons.
Ride On, Ed.

bandibull · « **Reply #12 on:** September 04, 2005, 03:01:02 AM »

I ride my bike year round in Portland, Or.

We aren't know for ultra cold temps but when I get off work at
6 am or so in December, I often have ice on my seat and icecycles
hanging from the mirrors.

The only oil I have ever used in this bike is
Amsoil full synthetic 15w40 diesel oil. Even on the coldest mornings
(20 degrees or so on occasion), my bike starts first time
every time. The true synthetics(pao oils like Amsoil or Mobile1)
flow so much better then dino oil that a 15 cold-start oil is
going to work much better than almost any dino oil.
Likewise the 40 running-temp is going to protect better than
an w50 dino oil in high heat situatuions.

dsartwell1 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 04, 2005, 08:06:58 PM »

Got the 15W50 in today and took it for a spin. All I can say is WOW. Smooth smooth smooth. Should have done it a long time ago. Between the new oil and a fresh set of Dunlop 208s, it feels like a brand new bike. I am really liking the Dunlops. Handle much faster than the Bridgestone 020s I was using. Hopefully I get some decent life out of them.

ribbitism · « **Reply #14 on:** September 05, 2005, 09:59:39 AM »

Quote from: "dsartwell1"

I am really liking the Dunlops. Handle much faster than the Bridgestone 020s I was using. Hopefully I get some decent life out of them.

It's off this threads topic, but I thought I'd just reply.. FYI 020's are a touring tyre, much harder compound so they don't handle as well in the twisties.
Dunlops don't appear to last as long as Bridgestone from what I can gather. When I came to changing tyres I found good reviews and people swayed towards Bridgestone 014's (the stock battlax 56 replacements). Having used dunlop 207 and 208's on my aprilia RS125, I liked them a lot.. they apparently just don't last as long on bigger bikes for weight/power reasons. As with anything, its personal preference though and time will tell for you wether they're a tyre you'll get again or not though eh? :)