Hello BITOG,
I'm from Portugal, and I'm new on the forum.
I am a visitor whenever I get doubts about oil properties.
I've never created an account until now, because as I search the web, I can never seem to get my doubts fade away.
I have a Bajaj Pulsar NS 125.
It's a 125cc single cylinder engine, air cooled.
The manual specifies 20w50 JASO MA.
The dealership where I bought the bike used Motul 7100 10w40.
I used on last autumn/winter maintenance Motul 7100 10w50.
But after 1500km I noticed the oil went dark like I've never seen on this bike (the 10w40 while being used, maintained the red colour).
I suppose the 10w50 was getting the viscosity additives getting burnt.
And probably, 10w50 is too much of a spread in a shared sump.
I know that Bajaj shares a lot with KTM, and KTM uses 10w50 on most bikes. But mine is a solely air cooled engine.
This is a bit of a long post, but my doubt is:
As I live in Portugal, climate varies a bit.
Summer is hot 25/40c
Winters go near 0c ( a bit rare)
I read that one of the things that dictates oil viscosity are bearing clearances on the engine.
So, shall I continue to use the 20w50 that the manual recommends (possibly going to a 15w50), or is the 10w40 safe?
Even for long rides (200km)?
I'm from Portugal, and I'm new on the forum.
I am a visitor whenever I get doubts about oil properties.
I've never created an account until now, because as I search the web, I can never seem to get my doubts fade away.
I have a Bajaj Pulsar NS 125.
It's a 125cc single cylinder engine, air cooled.
The manual specifies 20w50 JASO MA.
The dealership where I bought the bike used Motul 7100 10w40.
I used on last autumn/winter maintenance Motul 7100 10w50.
But after 1500km I noticed the oil went dark like I've never seen on this bike (the 10w40 while being used, maintained the red colour).
I suppose the 10w50 was getting the viscosity additives getting burnt.
And probably, 10w50 is too much of a spread in a shared sump.
I know that Bajaj shares a lot with KTM, and KTM uses 10w50 on most bikes. But mine is a solely air cooled engine.
This is a bit of a long post, but my doubt is:
As I live in Portugal, climate varies a bit.
Summer is hot 25/40c
Winters go near 0c ( a bit rare)
I read that one of the things that dictates oil viscosity are bearing clearances on the engine.
So, shall I continue to use the 20w50 that the manual recommends (possibly going to a 15w50), or is the 10w40 safe?
Even for long rides (200km)?