quick Oil change question

pallybear · May 28, 2009, 04:41:34 PM

Hello, I just bought a '90 GS500E last year, and I'm about to take it out of storage and change the oil/filter. When I went to the motorcycle parts store to buy the filter and oil, the cashier advised me to buy 20W50 since it has 30,000 miles on it. Is that okay or should I take it back and get 10W40?

ohgood · May 28, 2009, 05:20:09 PM

20w50 is kinda heavy. 10w40 is on the dipstick.

there are now 2,000,001 threads about oil.

your filter is a ch6000 i recall.

ps- i'm turning over 29,000 or 30,000 tomorrow, can't remember, but i'm due for a change too.

TheGoodGuy · May 28, 2009, 05:34:50 PM

you are fine with 10W40, if you want you can do 15W40 if you wish.

qwertydude · May 28, 2009, 05:43:13 PM

I've got 30,000 on the odometer just now, it rolled over before I got to work. Mine doesn't consume a drop of oil so unless yours does on 10w-40 don't switch, your tolerances are still tight.

simoniz · May 28, 2009, 06:09:34 PM

Stick with 10W/40. Make sure you get bike oil, not car oil.

kml.krk · May 28, 2009, 06:13:56 PM

Quote from: simoniz on May 28, 2009, 06:09:34 PM
Stick with 10W/40. Make sure you get bike oil, not car oil.

why bike oil?

ojstinson · May 28, 2009, 07:19:56 PM

10w-40 car oil is just fine, my friend has an old air cooled Kawasaki KZ -1000 with 150,000 miles on it, and he has used nothing but Castrol 10-40 in it. It has never had anything break down in the engine, and he still commutes 100 miles round trip 5 days a week. He does change his oil at 2500 to 3000 mile intervals.

PS-You're off to a very bad start with the old timers here. you don't ask oil questions----you research the archives.

kml.krk · May 29, 2009, 05:14:43 PM

Quote from: ojstinson on May 28, 2009, 07:19:56 PM
PS-You're off to a very bad start with the old timers here. you don't ask oil questions----you research the archives.

+1

pallybear · May 29, 2009, 05:28:13 PM

Quote from: ojstinson on May 28, 2009, 07:19:56 PM

PS-You're off to a very bad start with the old timers here. you don't ask oil questions----you research the archives.

Actually I did research the archives- I found nothing on oil weights.

I am just wondering if using the 20w50 will ruin my engine...

08GSSteve · May 29, 2009, 05:51:55 PM

oil oil oil and more oils

My Suzuki dealer uses 15w/50 motorcycle grade semi synthetic when servicing bikes.

ohgood · May 29, 2009, 06:57:35 PM

look at your dipstick. car oil doesn't matter. 'friction modifiers' is what you DONT want to see on the package.

searching for 'friction modifiers' will show you why. a few posts by me.

go ride !

jp · May 29, 2009, 09:26:43 PM

It depends where you're at. 20W-50 is OK in warmer weather, too heavy if you're in a cooler climate. I used to run it in the summer, then switched back to 10W-40 around September.

gsJack · May 30, 2009, 06:40:15 AM

Quote from: pallybear on May 28, 2009, 04:41:34 PM
Hello, I just bought a '90 GS500E last year, and I'm about to take it out of storage and change the oil/filter. When I went to the motorcycle parts store to buy the filter and oil, the cashier advised me to buy 20W50 since it has 30,000 miles on it. Is that okay or should I take it back and get 10W40?

Some think 30k is high milage on a motorcycle, I think it's just broken in unless someone has seriously abused it. Use the 10w-40 or 15w-40 unless you have a high oil consumption problem and really need the 20w-50. Copied from previous post of mine:

I put 15W-50 Mobil 1 synthetic in my 97 GS for about 45k miles after breaking it in on 10W-40 dino for 5k miles and when oil consumption increased I switched to the 15W-40 Delvac for another 30k miles. I have used the same 15W-40 Delvac or the Rotella T in my 02 GS since I got it and now have 70k miles on it. Engine wear due to miles seems to have progressed about the same on both bikes regardless of oil type.

My 97 GS progressed from regular to mid grade to premium gasoline to prevent gas knock in hot weather as the miles and carbon built up same as the 4 Hondas I used 20W-50 in summers did previous to the GSs.

When I switched from the 15W-50 to the 15W-40 in the 97 I went back to regular gas year round without gas knock and have used regular gas all the 70k miles on the 02 also w/o knock.

The GSs run cooler on a xxW-40 oil than on a xxW-50 oil and your doing it no favor using the heavier oil in hot weather unless oil consumption is real bad. Besides lubricating the engine the oil also provides cooling by carrying heat away from the head to the sump. This cooling flow is reduced with the heavier oils.

pallybear · May 30, 2009, 02:11:14 PM

Thanks for all of your advice. I think I'm going to try and trade my 20W50 for 10W40.

pwostrel · May 30, 2009, 04:40:46 PM

You will get tons of different options on oil! I use 15W-40 the Rotella T and like it seems to shift well Etc. Plus it's not a lot of $$$$ I think it's a great value in my option. Just find a oil you like and stick with it don't buy oil with friction mod in it you don't want these labels on the oil see below.

http://www.dansmc.com/starburst.jpg

http://www.dansmc.com/starburst2.jpg

10W-40 or 20W-50, automotive oil with no "Starburst" symbol, and no "Energy Conserving" label, will be o.k.. If you are really worried, get a motorcycle oil. but remember this most cost a lot more.

Pigeonroost · May 30, 2009, 05:09:41 PM

Quote from: ojstinson on May 28, 2009, 07:19:56 PM

PS-You're off to a very bad start with the old timers here. you don't ask oil questions----you research the archives.

But all of that reading!

bill14224 · May 30, 2009, 05:38:42 PM

I used 10W-40 like the book says but recently went to 15W-40 Rotella on the recommendation of numerous members here. It shifted good before, but ridiculously smooth now, thanks!

The book does not recommend 50W for this bike. I believe the reasons given here are accurate. 11,000 rpm redline is too fast for 50W oil.

ojstinson · May 30, 2009, 06:43:51 PM

Quote from: Pigeonroost on May 30, 2009, 05:09:41 PM
Quote from: ojstinson on May 28, 2009, 07:19:56 PM

PS-You're off to a very bad start with the old timers here. you don't ask oil questions----you research the archives.

But all of that reading!

Tell me about it, I've been there.

08GSSteve · May 30, 2009, 09:36:30 PM

why would my stealer be using 15/50

would not a dealer have to be using what suzuki tells them to use as suzuki in the end pays for warranty claims? and to be honest I can't see a dealer doing log book services using oil that over a term will harm the engine. There are dodgy mechanics etc but oil should be a constant in check with suzuki quality audits.

bill14224 · May 31, 2009, 10:43:40 AM

Steve, you're right. I did some more checking and the Suzuki factory manual says, along with the Haynes manual to use 10W-40. But the factory manual also says if it is not available, oils on the accompanying chart can be used. According to the chart, 20W-50, 15W-40, 15W-50, 10W-40, and 10W-50 can be used above -10 degrees C. 10W-30 can be used from -20 to +30C.

So I guess it's not critical which to use, but I agree with those who think avoiding 50W oil is a good idea unless oil consumption is a problem. There must be a reason Suzuki and Haynes recommend 10W-40 above all others.

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quick Oil change question