Higher Spec or Higher Viscosity

[Steventh749]

I live in a hot climate (Sydney Aust) where summer daytime temps are 25-40C (75-100F. The bike is a Ducati 1198 (new; only 1,000km). Recommended oil is 15x50 (up to xxw50 can be used in this temp range).

I have the choice of two oils;
#1 is 15w40, API SJ, ACEA a3/b3/b4/a3/a2/E7 and Mack EON+, EOM+
#2 is 14w50; API SH, SJ, SL, ACEA a2/b2, CF4

Is the higher spec oil (#1) still better for my climate or is the higher viscosity (#2) preferable.

Both are semisynthetic

Thanks in advance

 

[Shannow]

Depends what you are doing with the bike.

Hard road riding, or track days.

Everyone up here (Lithgow) runs Mobil 1 4T in their roadies no probs.

 

[dparm]

If you're really beating down on the bike, I'd tell you to go with 15w50. Otherwise I see no reason not to use 15w40.

 

[Tay]

i am riding a small water cooled 135cc motorcycle. the recommended grade is 40 or 50wt engine oil. weather wise is topical whole year round.

can i just a 30wt engine oil for motorcycle? at 100C the engine oil viscosity is about the same.

 

[dparm]

I would follow the manufacturer recommendation.

 

[kr_bitog]

Originally Posted By: Tay
i am riding a small water cooled 135cc motorcycle. the recommended grade is 40 or 50wt engine oil. weather wise is topical whole year round.

can i just a 30wt engine oil for motorcycle? at 100C the engine oil viscosity is about the same.

it think if you are running a Honda, it should be fine because the factory sepc 30wt oil nowadays

 

[Steventh749]

Originally Posted By: Steventh749
I live in a hot climate (Sydney Aust) where summer daytime temps are 25-40C (75-100F. The bike is a Ducati 1198 (new; only 1,000km). Recommended oil is 10w40 (up to xxw50 can be used in this temp range).

I have the choice of two oils;
#1 is 15w40, API SJ,SL ACEA a3/b3/b4/a3/a2/E7 and Mack EON+, EOM+
#2 is 14w50; API SH, SJ, SL, ACEA a2/b2, CF4

Is the higher spec oil (#1) still better for my climate or is the higher viscosity (#2) preferable.

Both are semisynthetic

Thanks in advance


Omitted that #1 is also API SL

Bike ridden in city traffic and fast country rides

Tx

 

[fdcg27]

First, nice bike. I've always liked Ducatis, although I've never owned one.
Does Ducati say anything about oil specifications beyond recommending a 10W-40?
Also, are you sure that the 15W-50 is only ACEA A2?
I would think that a 50 weight would meet A3.
Anyway, based upon what you have posted, I'd probably use oil #1, since it does meet A3, and unless you track the bike, you shouldn't get the oil to high enough sustained temperatures that a 50 would be necessary.

 

[Steventh749]

fdcg27

Thanks, it is a nice bike,

The oil specs are (similar to other bikes) API SE, SF, SG or higher.

The 15W50 is only A2/B2 plus API sh, sj, sl and CF4

Thanks

 

[Steventh749]

Originally Posted By: Steventh749
I live in a hot climate (Sydney Aust) where summer daytime temps are 25-40C (75-100F. The bike is a Ducati 1198 (new; only 1,000km). Recommended oil is 10w40 (up to xxw50 can be used in this temp range).

I have the choice of two oils;
#1 is 15w40, API SJ, ACEA a3/b3/b4/a3/a2/E7 and Mack EON+, EOM+
#2 is 14w50; API SH, SJ, SL, ACEA a2/b2, CF4

Is the higher spec oil (#1) still better for my climate or is the higher viscosity (#2) preferable.

Both are semisynthetic

Thanks in advance




Opps - just for the record. My 1198 manual states oils is 15w50 not 10w40 and the 10W40 is also OK in my temp range. The 10w40 is recommended for the 1098 - not sure why 100cc makes a difference>.