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[dazza]

Hi all just after advice I have just purchased a new 2015 GT continental it says in Manuel that the engine oil is 15w50 ALI So JASO semi synthetic but the main dealer whom is in touch with moto GB recommend to put 10w40 silco oil in it so I'm just checking what other people use I'm just concerned if book says 15w50 why don't they stick to it they say the change is due to this country to India ? So as I'm runing her in before my first oil change at 300 miles should I stick to 10w40 or ask the dealer to put the 15w50 in her next time thanks

[PeteF]

Have a look in your owners manual. It could well specify different oils for different ambient temperatures (they usually do)
In any case, the difference between 15/50 and 10/40 is not that great.

[Pathfinder856]

Good morning

I would ask our hosts what oil they recommend, as I believe that they have a lot of experience with this engine.

I do however know that some older engine designs do not like synthetic oils especially during running in
BMW had issues with their oil cooled boxers . The bores were glazing and the bikes using a Lot of oil !
I would speak to our hosts, and order some of the oil that they recommend.
And I am sure it will be better than any oils that are supplied by the factory!

However it is correct about different viscosity oils for different climates.
Have a look at the book and see what is recommended for Europe !

[Presto]

Our host's catalogue has in bold letters - 'Hitchcock's use 15w-50 in their EFI engines'.

[dazza]

Yes it's same in my owners book it only states this 15w50 so I don't understand why moto gb and my local dealer recommend useing 10w40 in this country if that's the case why not put it in owners manuel so when my bike has its first oil change I'll tell the dealer I want to put what the manuel states 15w50 has anybody else had this experience thanks

[Thack]

I think it's worrying that the dealer recommends 10w40. Perhaps its because all the other bikes they sell are modern Japanese things, and thus require 10w40. They don't have the facilities or the know-how to determine the right grade for the Bullet engine - that requires extensive testing and some knowledge of the working clearances, the metallurgy, the operating temperature ranges, etc.



In my view the dealer has no grounds for making that assertion, whereas the manufacturer of the engine most certainly does.



I'd insist upon 15w50.

[Pathfinder856]

I take my Harley to an local bike shop.
He had everything from super sports bikes, to pre war flat tank bikes.
He services Harley's for some of the local HA chapter and only uses genuine Harley oils
They are 20W50 oils, when I had jap sports bikes they used 10W40
He recommended a 20W50 oil for my classic engined bullet.
He stocks a wide range of oils, and the requirements of a modern four cylinder liquid cooled engine with fine clearances are totally different to an Air cooled engine with somewhat different tolerances.
The behaviour of these oils is totally different and there is a lot more involved than just the viscosity

Like Harley's the bullet engine has been around for so long that people who make them know what does and doesn't work in them.
I understand that there is a few differences between the classic and EFI engine however they are also both very old technology.

If Hitcocks recommend a particular 15W50 I would buy that and give it to your mechanic and. Tell him to use that and deduct the cost of the oil from your servicing.

[dazza]

Thanks guys I agree I called moto gb and guy I spoke to recommended 10w40 but I don't understand why the owners manuel dosent state it so after my first 300 miles runing in I will ask him to put 15w50 back in her thanks again for all replys

[bikerhifinut]

just picked up on this thread.
I was on the phone today to Hitchcocks on an oil change related query and the very helpful (as always) gentleman on the other end told me that 10W40 was fine. I personally see no reason why we can't use 10W40 in the bike. All I would say is, don't waste your money on fully synthetic oil, especially on a new engine as the parts won't run in properly.
Also I noticed i was getting a lot of filings and swarf out of the engine at around 1500 miles when I did the annual oil change after buying the bike with 350 miles on it with allegedly a service from the selling dealer. Another chat with our hosts suggested that doing more frequent oil changes on a new motor wouuld assist in getting rid of a lot of this debris of which some may be swarf etc left from the factory. These bikes arent built in the same way as western (or japanese) gear.
Just my take on things.
By the way, my Triumph Sprint has a recommended 15/50 grade oil in the handbook but the local dealer sells 10W40 for them. I haven't noticed any adverse effects there either.

[bikerhifinut]

Then again, as you can buy 15 w 50 from hitchcocks and it gives you peace of mind, that's the answer.

Most other manufacturers specify ranges of viscosities according to climatic conditions, the ranges invariably have some overlap, and if you take that into account, I would think any good quality Multigrade oil specified for the application will be fine.

What did we do before "Special Motorcycle oil"? Granted that was before the manufacturers started putting extra additives into motor oils such as friction modifiers and things that help prevent cat converter poisoning etc.

A.