10-W40 or 10-W50 Oil

msch

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Mar 11, 2013
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Santiago, Chile
Hello!!

Here in Chile we have a discussion about the oil grade that should be used in the Yamaha Supertenere.
The owners and shop manual specify SAE Viscosity 10-W40 API SG Jaso MA.

Some owners believes that 10-W50 is better, based in a catalogue that shows a figure (attached) with a range of temperature and viscosities recommended. This is what creates the confusion.
One Yamaha shop is selling and using 10-W50. In the pas
t they were using 10-W4
0.
Temperature in the central part of Chile ranges in winter 0-20 ºC (32 - 60ºF) and in summer 15-35ºC (59 - 95ºF).

I will appreciate if somebody can enlighten me with technical arguments instead "I have used .... for years without problems.

Also will appreciate a mail where I can contact a Yamaha Official tecnical representative.

Visc Aceite.JPG
 

Sierra1

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Using that chart. . . . 10W-50 covers the temperature range(s) you described. So does the 10W-40. Unless you plan on riding below freezing. . . .or over 40C. . . . 10W-50 will be fine. I would imagine that a Yamaha Tech Rep is going to refer you to the chart. I don't see the Rep going against their chart.

For what it's worth. . . . I use the 20W-50. . . . because that is what the Yamaha chart says to use in my Yamaha for the temps that I ride in. :)
 

msch

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Mar 11, 2013
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Santiago, Chile
Thank you Sierra1 for your reply.
The XT1200 Owners Manual and Shop manual does not show the referenced chart.
Only specify 10-W40 oil.
This is what confuses me.
 

Sierra1

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Where did that chart come from? 'Cuz, it looks like the one in my XT1200 owner's manual, pg 9-1. Just a different language. :)
 
R

RonH

Guest
Either should work fine. Generally the bigger spread between the numbers, 10W40 vs 10W50 for example, the bigger spead has more viscosity improvers added to the original 10w oil, and shear and viscosity loss is more on the 10W50 most likely, so by the time the oil is used a while the 10W50 is likely to be more or less 10W30 as will the 10W40.
So you can start with 10W30 which most likely stays there, use 10W40 which shears to 10W30, or 10W50 which also shears to 10W30. Even though they all get thin, it seems oil of all viscosity does a good job despite all the worry of lack of zinc ect. It really doesn't matter 10W40 or 10W50 very much if at all.
 

Eville Rich

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Sep 15, 2016
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I agree that both are OK. If you are riding regularly in 90+ degree weather, maybe the 10w50 makes sense. I have my own preference for 10w40, but maybe that's because of the temperature range I ride in (30-90F). I also found that 10W50 seemed to give me slightly less mpg. Just pick a good oil (Yamalube is fine) and the narrow difference between 10W40 and 10W50 doesn't matter much.

Eville Rich
2016 S10
 

EricV

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@msch - Don't fall victim to oil conversations. Not at the shop or with your friends. I lived in the desert, riding in temps over 50C sometimes and under -6C and never changed from the 10-40 oil I always used. 109,000 miles on my Gen I and 46,000 on my Gen II.

The only oil facet you need to concern yourself with is that it's clean when you put it in, you change it every now and then to your preference and that it's JASO MA or above or equivalent.

There is no "best oil", only what you want to use. After that, clean oil is better than dirty oil. No argument can be soundly made for 10-50 over 10-40, only opinions shared.
 

msch

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Mar 11, 2013
Messages
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Location
Santiago, Chile
Thank you all who took your time to respond and share your opinions.
My summary is that both oils satisfy the requirements, but most important is to run with a clean oil.
In my search I noticed that some years of the XT1200 owners manual does not include the table of Viscosity-temperature and only recommend 10-W40API SG Jaso MA oil
In my case, with our local range of temperatures I will continue to use synthetic 10-W40 API SG Jaso MA oil or superior standard.
 
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