15W/50 Oil during winter riding

[derail412]

Does anyone every use 15W/50 Oil in their motorcycle during winter riding? I live in GA and was thinking this would be an OK option during our mild winter months.

Any thoughts? BTW, I ride a 1100RT. Thanks

[BMWRich58]

Until recently switching over to Mobil1 15-50,I've always used BMW 20-50 all year long in all my past and current BMW's.
I live in Chicago and never no problems.

[bikerfish1100]

20W50 is spec'd for temps of 20-105 degs. Are you riding colder than that in GA? That said, there should be no problem in using 15W50 during cooler weather.

[PGlaves]

20W50 is spec'd for temps of 20-105 degs. Are you riding colder than that in GA? That said, there should be no problem in using 15W50 during cooler weather.

+1

If it is colder than the 18 degrees that 20w50 (I use it year round) is in spec then I don't ride. Or if I do I starrt the bike in a heated garage and don't let it cool off stone cold during any stops.

[rgeoffrt]

I use the 15w50 in Charlotte, NC. More important to have the proper amount of oil, vs. the type unless you are in extreme conditions. Havn't been able to find any posts that say NOT to use it. HTH

[80609gwhite]

Have been using 15W/50 year-round since 1996 in a '94 R1100RS. No problem.

[PGlaves]

Have been using 15W/50 year-round since 1996 in a '94 R1100RS. No problem.

At what geographic location. The bike cares more about temperature than the calendar.

[beemermyke]

Been using Mobil 1 15W50 for the past 40,000 miles or so down here in south GA, and ride in temps down in the teens. No problems here.

[bikerfish1100]

of course, none of us are ever likely to "see" empirical evidence of the problems that could develop from using an incorrect weight or rating of oil, which is what makes all (including my own) of the "nope, never had a problem" statements thoroughly pointless and meaningless. we would only have direct experience with oil that is insufficient in quantity. unless we are one of the very few, like Paul or Anton, who bother to go into the depths of their motors and mic out exactly what is happeneing in there.
so what do you do? use the weight and rating specified by your manufacturer, or not, and soldier on in your belief, based on whatever you choose to base it on.

fwiw- i use a m/c specific semi-synth 20W50, as i can get it for under $4/qt.
And i've never had a problem with it!:laugh

[BubbaZanetti]

when i did lots of winter riding i dumped my 15W 50 mobil 1 and put in WAY out of spec 5W 40 rotella. commuting, lots of cold starts, the bike just cranked over much easier when it was 15-25 out, to my way of thinking with regards to engine preservation, getting that oil flowing quickly on cold days is more crucial than whatever the engine is going to be doing to the oil, plodding along at 60 mph in 30 degree weather (the engine isn't going to be very "hot").

people i know run 5W 40 in their high revving air cooled dirt bikes in the south in the summer.

you'll be ok running a lighter oil

[rinty]

+ 1

If it was my bike, under these circumstances, I'd go with a lower viscosity range than 15W-50, but selected in accordance with the owner's handbook.

[bikerfish1100]

+ 1

If it was my bike, under these circumstances, I'd go with a lower viscosity range than 15W-50, but selected in accordance with the owner's handbook.

an oil of lower viscosity than 15W50 would not make a great deal of sense in GA (location of OP), tho i could possibly see the benefit of it in Alberta.

and yes, MOM (motorcycle owner's manual) has a chart listing oil viscosity ranges & temps for usage. that is exactly what i would be referring to, rather than the collected opinions of this board.

[My04Boxer]

Using Chevron Delo 400 15/40 here in RI for winter use.
I commute 15 mi at 7am then the bike sits outside all day when its 20-30 out followed by the same commute home so the engine oil never gets real hot
Works for me and has been for the past 15 years on 4 different bikes.

Summer its nothing but Spectro 20/50

[rinty]

...I could possibly see the benefit...in Alberta....Bikerfish

You could run sewing machine oil in them here in winter, and they're still not going to start. :laugh

[derail412]

Thanks for all your posts. I am going to run the 15W/50.

D

[ghostrider1964]

I read that short commutes like mentioned above cause faster detioriation of the oils due to the oil never getting to full operating temps and therefore burning off moisture that condensates from temperature exchanges of the engine housing. It was a good post in ADV forum:dunno might be a place to gather some light...