20W-40 oil

I'm just curious where you guys are finding 20W-40 motorcycle oil for those that are. All I see everywhere is 20W-50. I would prefer to have exactly what is recommended but will settle for 20W-50 if I can't find 20W-40. I've looked at Walmart, Napa and O'Reilly autoparts with no luck.

 

First off, 20W50 is fine, as long as it's motorcycle oil.

That being said, Spectro makes 20W40 (conventional) as does Castrol in a semi-synthetic that is specifically for "high-revving multicyclinder engines with wet clutches." It's called ACT>evo Xtra 4T and I buy it online.

 

I use Valvoline 20-50 with no problem. I get it at Wally world, or at Advanced Auto when they run the oil change package special (usually in april)

 

Ok, getting 20W-50 from Walmart will be much easier. Thanks guys.

 

I prefer 20/50 in mine. I like the extra cushion. Since the manual recommends higher viscosity for hotter weather, the extra little bit I like.
Just got it at autozone special. $2.00 off each quart. Mine was $12 for 3 quarts of Valvoline. Special runs through May 5th.
Also, one thing to consider is, the oil we use now is nothing like the oil when they made the manual, so sticking to just what is stated in the manual may not be the best.
Chris.

 

Yes it is. But now we have real motorcycle oil that has its own set of "JASO" specs.

The most important thing to glean from both the owners and service manuals is the BASIS weight (10W, 20W) of the oil and the temperature ranges for which it is recommended. Unless you're regularly operating at below 60 degrees F then you need 20W- something oil.

Back when Yamaha recommended 20W40, it was more available than it is now, and all the Yammeries carried "Yamalube" 20W40. There is very little difference between 20W40 and 20W50 once the motor is fully warmed up, and the fact that they arbitrarily decided we didn't need oil coolers here in the States makes yet another case for 20W50.

Basis weight (10W or 20W) is more important. As is not using car oil.

If you really wanna run 20W40, Castrol makes a semi-synthetic called ACT>evo Xtra 4T that is specifically (quoting now) "designed for high-revving multicylinder bikes with wet clutches." I run it in my '83, and the single biggest difference I noticed is absolutely zero oil consumption; and I'm a "run it to redline" kinda guy. But I have a low-mileage motor that fires in a half a crank, so I wouldn't recommend using ANY synthetic or even semi synth on a higher-mileage bike until you know the starter and starter clutch are OK.

I'd go with Castrol 4T (or other brand as long as it's motorcycle oil) 20W50 and you'll be fine.

 

Could it be the 55 MPH speed limit ??
or the American attitude that the bike is a toy to be discarded in a few years ?? or a pricing strategy to beat Honda by $50 ??

 

Actually it was more likely a combination of lower speeds and shorter trips (which is why they all have low mileage).

That way they could