BEST oil for 1999 Yamaha Roadster?

[axjohn]

A friend of mine is currently using 20w-50 oil in the following motorcycle. I say it's too heavy. What would you suggest

1999 Yamaha Roadstar
1601 CC V-twin pushrod engine
35,000 miles
Ceramic coated cyliners
Air cooled

What weight/brand do you think would work best? Thanks

 

[road_rascal]

You opened a can 'o worms! Right now I have Mobil 1 15w/50 in my air/oil cooled Nighthawk (60K miles). Probably switch to Rotella 5w/40 only because that's what the Wing uses. I use 20w/50 dino whatever in my old KZ.

 

[TimVipond]

Use what it likely says in the Owners Manual. 10W40 JASO MA motorcycle oil. Check out this 10 ASTM test of 26 motorcycle oils and pick one of the better ones. https://www.amsoil.com/lit/g2156.pdf .

 

[wileyE]

hum, let me think. Aircooled, low rpm big ci pushrod motor, heavy bike, so cal........20w50

 

[75003]

Why not try Yamalube 20w40?

 

[arkainzeye]

i think i remember reading the yam's like 50 weight. also make sure your yam had the transmission recalled performed! there was a massive recall on the 1600's. had something to do with the 2nd gear i believe.. since the bike is only air cooled i think thicker oil would be a smart move.

 

[axjohn]

I guess I should have been clearer when I said the oil was "too thick." Even though I assume the oil he is using is dino (I forgot to ask), I just thought a 50 weight dino wouldn't hold up. I was really thinking that Mobil's motorcyle oil (10w40 something or another), or another synthetic, might be better, as 40 weight synthetics might perform and protect better than 50 weight dinos.

I sent him this link, so I hope he'll become a member so he can add to this post.

 

[PT1]

Mobil1 10w40 or Redline 10w40 or Amsoil 10w40 or RP 10w40...see he trend here? The 50wt is defintely way too heavy.

 

[wileyE]

The trend I see is: Redlines big v twin oil is 20w50, amsoils big vtwin oil is 20w50, royal purples big v twin oil is 20w50. 1999 Yamaha Roadstar 1601 CC V-twin pushrod aircooled engine is about as v twin as it gets. A metric harley if you will.

 

[TimVipond]

Take a look at the test I posted and you will notice a lot of 50 weight oils shear to a 40 weight. A lot of 40 weight oils shear to a 30 weight. So why not start with a 40 weight that does not shear?

 

[axjohn]

How about the Havoline Synthetic 5w-40 available at Big Lots for $3/qt? Would that work witht this bike? And it that might be "too thin", how about spiking it with a little VSOT?

 

[axjohn]

should read "and if that might be too thin"...

 

[Ron Neisler]

I use at the moment 20-50 Schaeffer's racing oil, and on the bottle it says also for V-Twin motorcycles,
schaeffer's is a good oil, my K&N Dist. wants me to try this 15-50 synthetic called Alisyn, he beleives it is one of the best if not hte best oil out thier, but too each his own, just do your research and make a decision from that.

Ron

 

[Ron Neisler]

PS, this is for my 1999 Roadstar, the above statement.

Ron

 

[fuel tanker man]

Quote:

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PS, this is for my 1999 Roadstar, the above statement.

Ron

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Oh... I was thinking roadster, as the title of the thread implied.

Didn't know Yamaha made any roadsters...