Ok, so I searched, but nothing I read quite clicked.
So when reading oil weights the first number is the cold and the second is the warm weight of the oil, right?
And, assuming ambient temps of between 30F and 110F, what type of oil should I be running? By my understanding the 15W might be too thick on the colder days. So you want a 10W. But on warmer days a 50 might be better than 40. Would it be safe to run 15W50 now (45F is night time lows) and in September/October switch over to a 10W40 for shoulder season/storage use?
This is purely for street use, not for track use.
__________________
2008 Kawasaki Versys
- Caribou Cases 34L Topcase, Wolfman Luggage Expedition Tank Panniers and Duffels
- FMF Slip On
- Pelican case for Garmin GPS
- lame mod list, huh?
More important than viscosity is the Spec of the oil.. Use a Motorcycle Specific oil.
The Best isn't cheap
Cheap isn't The Best
Bob
__________________ Forum Members email us for pricing shipped from the closest AMSOIL warehouse. For info go to www.bestoil4you.com or Toll Free 1-877-356-6099
On a Multi viscosity oil the number on the left, followed by a "W" for Winter, is the viscosity of the oil when cold. This temperature can vary by oil but is generally stated at 32 Degrees F. and is basically measured by a magnetic wand rotating below a cup of oil with a steel ball being dragged through it.
The number on the right is the "Operating" temp of the oil and is Always measured at 100 degrees C. through a drip system.
The bands on "Viscosity" are fairly broad and broken down more accurately in a measurement call Centistokes (cSt). But, for general applications, The Viscosity is what is used.
A specific viscosity recommendation noted in an owners manual is for Petroleum oils. This is why in many manuals when temps are over 95, they will recommend a higher viscosity oil as a petroleum shears out of grade.
If you use the oil test reference, a 10W-40 will be all that is required for the Top 3 oils.
Years ago, Viscosity was pretty much all that was used to pick an oil. Those days are long gone. In the case of M/C oils, you need to look at the API Ratings and/or JASO Ratings.
An API Rating of SG or SG/SH is necessary.. Not SH, SJ, SM etc.... One of those higher Ratings May be used but the the oil MUST carry a JASO MA or JASO MA 2 Rating.
Then we get into the Film Strength of the oil. Some oils today are being engineered so a lighter viscosity may be used. This results in more HP and precious fuel mileage.
For instance, My Diesel pickup calls for 15W-40 but I run a 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel oil which can be and is being used in Over The Road Class 8 trucks.
There is a LOT more to oils than Viscosity alone AND Never use an oil additive.
The Best isn't cheap
Cheap isn't The Best
Bob
__________________ Forum Members email us for pricing shipped from the closest AMSOIL warehouse. For info go to www.bestoil4you.com or Toll Free 1-877-356-6099
On a Multi viscosity oil the number on the left, followed by a "W" for Winter, is the viscosity of the oil when cold. This temperature can vary by oil but is generally stated at 32 Degrees F. and is basically measured by a magnetic wand rotating below a cup of oil with a steel ball being dragged through it.
The number on the right is the "Operating" temp of the oil and is Always measured at 100 degrees C. through a drip system.
The bands on "Viscosity" are fairly broad and broken down more accurately in a measurement call Centistokes (cSt). But, for general applications, The Viscosity is what is used.
A specific viscosity recommendation noted in an owners manual is for Petroleum oils. This is why in many manuals when temps are over 95, they will recommend a higher viscosity oil as a petroleum shears out of grade.
If you use the oil test reference, a 10W-40 will be all that is required for the Top 3 oils.
Years ago, Viscosity was pretty much all that was used to pick an oil. Those days are long gone. In the case of M/C oils, you need to look at the API Ratings and/or JASO Ratings.
An API Rating of SG or SG/SH is necessary.. Not SH, SJ, SM etc.... One of those higher Ratings May be used but the the oil MUST carry a JASO MA or JASO MA 2 Rating.
Then we get into the Film Strength of the oil. Some oils today are being engineered so a lighter viscosity may be used. This results in more HP and precious fuel mileage.
For instance, My Diesel pickup calls for 15W-40 but I run a 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel oil which can be and is being used in Over The Road Class 8 trucks.
There is a LOT more to oils than Viscosity alone AND Never use an oil additive.
The Best isn't cheap
Cheap isn't The Best
Bob
Now that is informative. Thank you.
I am looking for Full Synthetics made with esters. I have a Yamaha dealer telling me he uses the 15w50 in everything they sell. And I was just wanting to understand everything I could about the oils I am using before I just go out and buy whatever is on the shelf.
From the other threads I read, I learned that running any of the "reduced friction" additives was a bad idea since the reduced friction will work against the wet clutch.
So currently I am looking at Yamalube (15w50), which should work well at decreasing wear, but cause slight decreases in HP and Mileage, Motul(10w40) which I read good and bad, or hunting down some other oils.
__________________
2008 Kawasaki Versys
- Caribou Cases 34L Topcase, Wolfman Luggage Expedition Tank Panniers and Duffels
- FMF Slip On
- Pelican case for Garmin GPS
- lame mod list, huh?
__________________ Forum Members email us for pricing shipped from the closest AMSOIL warehouse. For info go to www.bestoil4you.com or Toll Free 1-877-356-6099
A little help understanding Oil Weights
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