So I came into two free cases of Yamalube oil, synthetic 15w50. So my question is how good of an idea is it to put 15w50 into an ST? If you answer is that my bike will burst into flames please refrain. I hate to pass up two free cases.
Yamalube 15W50?
- Thread starter jodog
- Start date
Scooter
This space for rent...
2003 Service manual shows a chart which allows the use of 15W-50 as long as your not using it below roughly 25 deg F. Take the oil and use it during the summer months...
Whooshka
Fairly faST old guy
Yamalube is really good stuff. Should work just fine in an ST.
Chart below shows that you can go with 15W-40 as long as you ride in outside temps above -10 F or above. Based on this chart 20W-50 or even 20W-40 (if available for motorcycles) would be more suitable with a lower limit of 0 F, as very few folks ride in those temps. My riding temp is between 45-85 F
OP
OP
Now I'm curious. What difference does the outside temp make if your bike runs at the same temp all the time? Is it starting the bike when it's that cold? If the bike lives in a heated shop does that erase the concern?
bdalameda
PaleoCyclist
It has to do with how the oil flows when cold - It can take longer to get to vital parts during cold temperatures when first starting.
I strongly advise against its use, strongly mind.
Please send to Upt'North, Northumberland, UK, for disposal
.Upt'North.
The only way to do that is to not mention oil. Especially if the outside temperature is below 40 degrees F.
A heavier oil than necessary would not be more suitable. The 15W-50 allows a lower lower temperature limit, but 15W-50 will still flow better than a 20W-50 at the lower temperature limit of the 20W-50 oil. Since they are both unlimited on top, the 15W-50 is a better choice at any temperature and 10W-40 is better yet. If you live in a place that is so diggity-dang hot that rattlesnakes are basking in the sun or camels are wandering by, then maybe a something W50 would be better. Your engine may tell you with mechanical noise, shifting, etc.
Yes. Starting and warm-up. You dodge the initial bullet by starting it in a warm garage. But now you have to return to your heated garage to park it. The safest and most universal practice is to use a weight that is listed for the expected range of ambient temperatures. Manuals are not written for what may work under certain special conditions, but for what will always work for everybody. If done right, there is always some room around the edges of their recommendations.
But people like to hang their toes over the cliff, so they seek out the limits. I dunno why
The postage to Northumberland, UK is too much, send it to me instead......
st11ray
2006 ST1300
The shop put Yamalube 15w50 in my buddies '15 FJR. I told him I would change it if it were me. He kept it in last season. He got his oil changed just before the BRG and said that the bike shifted and warmed up quicker with the w40 that they put in this time. He had less than 5k miles on the w50 when he changed it. I would try to find someone to buy it or trade me for w40. JMO.
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rogo
Site Supporter
How to decide which is the proper weight for our riding conditions?
The chart in post #6 isn’t jiving with the chart in my owner’s manual.
The service manual chart is not matching either chart.
The chart in post #6 isn’t jiving with the chart in my owner’s manual.
The service manual chart is not matching either chart.
Forget everything. Just go with 10-40 and change it regularly. Lets end it here.How to decide which is the proper weight for our riding conditions?
The chart in post #6 isn’t jiving with the chart in my owner’s manual.
The service manual chart is not matching either chart.
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Charts have changed over the years to lighter grades as emission standards got more stringent... new vehicles are running 5W oils now instead of 10W, presumably for quicker warm-up. My latest vehicle has an electric power steering pump and an electric heater for the tranny oil......
Larry, you continue to peddle that story your heard second hand from "some guy who worked for Shell" that four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers mislabeled 15W-40 diesel oil as everything from 10W-40 to 20W-50 motorcycle oil for a decade and nobody ever, measured, noticed or cared.
Mislabeling is a crime. These companies conspired to do this why?
Mislabeling and False Advertizing.
Ok, Ray. How does a thinner oil at low temp promote a quicker warm-up?
Why not just send it to @Upt' North ?
st11ray
2006 ST1300
I have no idea. I know that he told me that his shifting was much smoother and that the bike warmed up quicker. I guess it's the same principal for using w50 in very hot climates?