Ok to run 20w50? - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

Back In Black · 01-11-2012, 02:49 PM

I did a search, but it looked like the few people that asked this question live in Michigan and other states in the far north. I have about 20 quarts of Kendall 20w50 motorcycle oil leftover that I used in my old Yamaha V-Max. It really doesn't get that cold around here in the winter, but gets really hot in the summer. I was wondering if it would be alright to just use this 20w50 that I have year round or should I use 10w40 in the winter and switch over to the 20w50 in the summer?

gsxrjarrett · 01-11-2012, 02:58 PM

I run 10W40 all year around. Its what Honda calls for. Myself, I wouldn't run 20W50. But thats JMO.

rich450es · 01-11-2012, 03:07 PM

it wont hurt a thing running it year round ......but if it does get realy cold i would idle it for 10 mins untill its warmed up to temp

Back In Black · 01-11-2012, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich450es

it wont hurt a thing running it year round ......but if it does get realy cold i would idle it for 10 mins untill its warmed up to temp

Good deal. I let my bikes warm up anyway when it's cold outside.

Eagle_On · 01-11-2012, 03:17 PM

its fine

stickman756 · 01-12-2012, 06:17 PM

I drop to 5w40 in the winter, change back to 20w50 in March. I've been out at -30c. cold cold oil takes a while to circulate. Considering oil is the lifeblood of your tranny. I wouldn't run a thick oil in the winter.

rich450es · 01-12-2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickman756

I drop to 5w40 in the winter, change back to 20w50 in March. I've been out at -30c. cold cold oil takes a while to circulate. Considering oil is the lifeblood of your tranny. I wouldn't run a thick oil in the winter.

he lives in alabama its not as cold as canada in the winter

stickman756 · 01-12-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich450es

he lives in alabama its not as cold as canada in the winter

LOL, don't have to rub it in.

Man i'm really getting to hate snow, cold and freezing rain. Last night was -20c, now it's -6c and snowing, first major storm this year, a small relief after 3 heavy, long winters. Tomorrow morning +1c and freezing rain then forecast to warm up to +10c. Crazy weather for this area.

Yah, i guess that far south, 20w50 should never be a problem.

pls1911 · 01-12-2012, 08:13 PM

Alabama's not that much different from North Texas, so I'd have to agree that you'd get by fine so long as you let it warm up before your pressed it into service.
I might suggest you consider what many pilots of ancient air cooled engines do for their piper cubs....use Marvel Mystery oil per the instructions on the label. It will reduce the viscosity of the thicker oil when cool but remains tough with the heat, and cleans the crap out of motors which may have not had oil changes as regularly as they should. works well for top end lube as well lubing upper cylinders like diesel fuel in diesel engines.
smells nice to boot.

I also use MMO as an added component to "Ed's Red"..in equal parts to other comonents.
If you don't know what that is, you're in for some larn'in and saving a bundle on gun cleaning and preserving juice.
Google "Ed's Red".
I mix it by the gallon and use it for solvent cleaning and lubing everything EXTERNAL.. repeat EXTERNAL, NOT to be confused with engine or transmission lubricants.
Great for loads of antique guns and associated hardware, but if acetone is added keep it on the metal, off the wood.

rubiranch · 01-12-2012, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxrjarrett

I run 10W40 all year around. Its what Honda calls for. Myself, I wouldn't run 20W50. But thats JMO.

I too only run 10w40 oil.

01-11-2012, 02:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Back In Black Honda Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 149	Ok to run 20w50? I did a search, but it looked like the few people that asked this question live in Michigan and other states in the far north. I have about 20 quarts of Kendall 20w50 motorcycle oil leftover that I used in my old Yamaha V-Max. It really doesn't get that cold around here in the winter, but gets really hot in the summer. I was wondering if it would be alright to just use this 20w50 that I have year round or should I use 10w40 in the winter and switch over to the 20w50 in the summer? __________________ 2001 Honda Foreman Rubicon - "Frankenstein" Recent Work: Fresh Top End Rebuild New Brakes Front & Rear STI HD1 Wheels 27" Maxxis Zillas Warn RT25 2500lb. Winch Wide Open 424 HMF Eco-System Exhaust DynoJet Jet Kit Uni Air Filter Coming Soon: Exhaust Snorkel, Intake Snorkel, 2" Lift.

01-11-2012, 02:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
gsxrjarrett Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: ONTARIO Posts: 684	I run 10W40 all year around. Its what Honda calls for. Myself, I wouldn't run 20W50. But thats JMO. __________________ 2007 HONDA RINCON 680 FI 27X10X12 / 27X12X12 EXECUTIONERS ! ITP SS106 RIMS (CHROME) 2" HIGH LIFTER LIFT KIT RDC-RAD RELOCATE KIT LINE-X RACKS/BUMPERS 2500LBS WARN WINCH POWERMADD HANDGUARDS CARGO BOX/BEER HOLDER WARN FRONT BUMPER 2003 HONDA XR50R (KIDS) 2004 HONDA CRF50R (KIDS) 2004 RAM QC 5.7L HEMI (LIFTED) 2006 MAGNUM 3.5HO (WIFEY) PROUD TO SERVE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER ONTARIO , CANADA "If your gonna be stupid, you better be tough ! "

01-11-2012, 03:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
rich450es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ludlow,mass Posts: 10,644	it wont hurt a thing running it year round ......but if it does get realy cold i would idle it for 10 mins untill its warmed up to temp __________________ 2000 foreman 450 es-s the fking pig 14% 300 foretrax gear reduction 30in gorila silverbacks on C-5 wheels 2500lb warn winch superatv disk brake conversion kit 2in ssatv lift kit and progressive 512 shocks the original 4in PVC storage tube hurculined racks with rear cargo box czr loud exhaust , uni airfilter and drilled main jet foreman 450 parts for sale pm me for info**

01-11-2012, 03:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Eagle_On Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SOUTH CAROLINA Posts: 803	its fine __________________ 04 rubicon -28 zillas

01-12-2012, 08:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
pls1911 Honda Addict Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: DFW Posts: 101	20w50 Alabama's not that much different from North Texas, so I'd have to agree that you'd get by fine so long as you let it warm up before your pressed it into service. I might suggest you consider what many pilots of ancient air cooled engines do for their piper cubs....use Marvel Mystery oil per the instructions on the label. It will reduce the viscosity of the thicker oil when cool but remains tough with the heat, and cleans the crap out of motors which may have not had oil changes as regularly as they should. works well for top end lube as well lubing upper cylinders like diesel fuel in diesel engines. smells nice to boot. I also use MMO as an added component to "Ed's Red"..in equal parts to other comonents. If you don't know what that is, you're in for some larn'in and saving a bundle on gun cleaning and preserving juice. Google "Ed's Red". I mix it by the gallon and use it for solvent cleaning and lubing everything EXTERNAL.. repeat EXTERNAL, NOT to be confused with engine or transmission lubricants. Great for loads of antique guns and associated hardware, but if acetone is added keep it on the metal, off the wood. Last edited by pls1911; 01-12-2012 at 08:20 PM. Reason: spelling

01-12-2012, 06:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
stickman756 Honda Rider Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: moncton, new brunswick Posts: 56	I drop to 5w40 in the winter, change back to 20w50 in March. I've been out at -30c. cold cold oil takes a while to circulate. Considering oil is the lifeblood of your tranny. I wouldn't run a thick oil in the winter.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Honda Foreman Forum Advertisement