Advice on Viscosity Please

[OLDMANBJ]

Hi everyone
I would appreciate your advice on oil viscosity for my bike. Honda Hornet ( 919 ) stock standard.
The Honda manual suggests a 10-40 for a general viscosity, but here in Auckland Shell do a range of good motorcycle oils at good prices, but the fully synthetic version is 15w-50. Our summer temps are around 28C and winter around 5C. I would like to use this Shell oil ( I can get it at a really good price ) but would there be any longterm disadvantages in using a 15w-50?
Thanks for any information.

John

 

[msparks]

The only disadvantage I can see is that you would lose a little power and a little fuel economy. As long as the oil your using is wet clutch compatible and the price is right I say go for it.

 

[Titan]

The synthetic 15-50 should hold it's grade fairly well, despite the spread, simply because it't synthetic. Seems like a decent choice, as long as you aren't doing a lot of short trips where the engine doesn't get good and warm. To put it another way...the more you ride long distances, the less difference the slightly thicker oil will make in regards to start-up wear...where the thinner oil has an advantage.

 

[dwendt44]

Many GoldWing owners have used Mobil 1 15W-50 for years; only changing recently because of a re-formulation and price jump.
The Shell will work well for the average cycle.

Wing owners are now using a lot of Shell Rotella 5W-40; that's been working well too.

 

[OLDMANBJ]

Thanks guys for your advice. Since I posted this question, I have heard back from Shell NZ to say they also do an oil called " Shell Advance Quad 10w-40 Heavy duty oil" The only info I can get about it , is that it is specially formulated for Quad bikes, and hard working motorcycles, and to provide protection for long periods of idling and harsh conditions. It is synthetic fortified and about half price of the Full Synthetic 15-50. So my plan would be to
1/ use the 15-50 Full Synthetic , and change the oil and filter at 6000 km intervals, or
2/ use the 10-40 Quad synthetic fortified and change oil at 3000 km, with a filter every 2nd change.
remembering that the manual suggests oil and filter change every 12000 km , which would you go for?
Many thanks, John

 

[rokky]

Personally, I would go with the 10/40. Your strategy sounds perfect.

Its always better to change oil more often on bikes because of clutch and transmission.

 

[rokky]

Personally, I would go with the 10/40. Your strategy sounds perfect.

Its always better to change oil more often on bikes because of clutch and transmission.

 

[SteveU]

I ran 20w-50 one time in my 86 nighthawk 700, about the only thing I noticed is that it didn't seem to shift as well as with the 10w-40. Changed back, everything back to normal. That was with dino, really noticed a big improvement going to synthetic 10w-40.