10w40 or 20w50 for MZ660 Skorpion

[Petrolhead]

Hi folks, the manual says 10w30 below 5 degrees and 20w40 over 5 degrees. I have always used semi synthetic 10w40 in my Honda fours as it get round to the cam plain bearings quicker.

What do you use, bearing in mind I'm in the Uk and the bike doesn't get used in low temperatures, neither will it be thrashed like on a track day.

[Petrolhead]

If anyone is still wondering ,after looking at all the options, I went for a fully synthetic oil - a basic one not all singing and dancing - Shell Advance 10w40 motorcycle oil and i'll be changing it every year or approximately 1000 miles.

[tigcraft]

I noticed you put also 20W50 in the title. I used to sell that stuff for old Cortinas, Morris Minors Victors!!

[Hajok]

The SZR manual states:

Oil recommendation SZR.PNG (9.37 KiB) Viewed 2722 times

Some time ago I read a most interesting post by AE Haas at Ferrarichat.com about motor oil basics: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?faq=haas_articles

"Most believe that pressure = lubrication. This is false. Flow = lubrication."

Very informative. I decided to run full synthetic Castrol 5W40 oil. Not because the engine needs thick oil when hot, but because it can get tricky when colder... after installing a temp gauge at the oil pipe from the filter housing to the camshaft the oil temp reading never got over 100 F (40 C) with ambient temperature around 45 F (7.5 C). Just to be sure I double checked the accuracy of the gauge

[Petrolhead]

I read your blog with interest, it just shows what can be done with the Skorpion 660 if you put your attention to it. Lots of good mods and info there. If mine becomes one to keep, I'll be looking to mirror some of your mods.

My thinking about oil was less formal than yours but I had a hunch that the lower viscosity oil would reach the plain metal cam bearing faster from cold and that would be a good thing. Also with the synthetic it is more likely to say in grade when very hot so still giving the vital protection needed to the bearings.