cold weather riding

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tcreeley · #1 Unread post by **tcreeley** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 12:22 pm

Does anyone use a lighter oil in the crankcase when the temp gets to 32F? I use 10W40 now but I am planning to commute as long as I can to work with the gas prices so high. I'm in Maine and the temp is hitting 48-55 now. Soon it will be colder.
I ride an 81 Suzuki 400GN- single cylinder, kick start (back on the road after 19 years). (been seeing a ton of bikes lately- older styles!). thanks
(6 mi commute)

niterider · #2 Unread post by **niterider** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 1:03 pm

When it gets that cold the only oil I use is the heating oil for the house. I don't ride in really cold weather, but you can use a lighter oil for the winter time. You can probably go to 10-30, this would make easier kick starting.

bikeguy joe · Tue Sep 13, 2005 1:05 pm

Read your manual and go with the oil they suggest. Also, you can use a synthetic oil, it doesn't get thicker when cold. I would suggest the latter since your ride is very short.

#4 Unread post by **Skier** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:11 pm

Your owner's manual should have a chart on it that specifies what weight of oil to use at what temperatures. For what it's worth, I believe my '86 Yamaha Radian is designed to take 10W-40 all the way down to 0* F.

BuzZz · #5 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 7:47 pm

10W40 is fine for temps down to 10*F, if your riding in temps colder than that, you'll have more on your mind than oil...... like where your nad's fell when they froze off.

bennettoid · Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:31 am

10*F??????

I thought I was dying at 35!!!!

Scott58 · #7 Unread post by **Scott58** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:54 am

I ride back and forth to work down to 20 degrees. Military surplus is our friend!

#8 Unread post by **Skier** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:48 am

BuzZz wrote:10W40 is fine for temps down to 10*F, if your riding in temps colder than that, you'll have more on your mind than oil...... like where your nad's fell when they froze off.

I beg to differ.

I know exactly where they would be: in his armpits!

old-n-slow · Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:15 pm

10/40 should cover you all the way down to where it's too frickin cold to ride. That's what its designed for. BTW no difference for cold starting between 10/30 and 10/40. Theoretically they will both have the same viscosity at the cooler temps.

Now 5/30 should be a slight bit more fluid at colder temps then the 10/30

When the oil gets so thick that you can't kick it over to start ----- Don't ride ....................... Trust me, you won't be going far.