What oil do you use when it's cold?

No H2O

Active Member
I ride to work daily year-round so I'll plan to change oil in late fall and late spring.
DC winters get down to single digit temperatures, sux out here.
I want to be able to start the bike easily in the cold (I'm in an apartment so it's on the street under a cover) so I need something that will flow easily that will still protect my engine.
For those who ride in the cold, what:
1) weight
2) viscosity
3) brand
4) type (regular or FS)
do you use?
 

knothead

Second Chance Customs
Supporting Member
Im not going to period below freezing.....i have left home at 50 and came home it was 28.....never ever again
 

No H2O

Active Member
Unfortunately out here driving really isn't a viable option.
It would take me well over an hour each way compared to 15 minutes each way being able to take a bike on the express lanes.
Furthermore the cost of parking, which is three blocks away, is $23 a day as opposed to $0 right in front of the building.
The investment in winter riding gear has paid for itself many times over
 

Marky-Marc

Well-Known Member
Well, if I were riding in the temperatures in the video below, I think I would use vegetable oil (JOKE!!). 20/50 should be fine, but again, I wouldn't ride in that weather.....cheers...

 

No H2O

Active Member
Well, if I were riding in the temperatures in the video below, I think I would use vegetable oil (JOKE!!). 20/50 should be fine, but again, I wouldn't ride in that weather.....cheers...
I guess to be clear if it's wet and below freezing I wouldn't ride unless it was not much more than a dusting of snow.
Typically out here it's dry but just cold as f---
Adding to the reasons above I don't like having vehicles sit for long periods of time, bad for vehicle, motion is lotion for me.
FWIW mechanic recommended 10w-40 royal purple but not going thinner than that or the oil would be too thin for my machine
 

No H2O

Active Member
to add to the starting woes, even when it's warm, at first start in the AM I'll hit the starter button and there'll be nothing but a low level hum and then whoosh it'll fire right up. Not sure what that delay is indicative of but ... if that guides the decision on what oil to use
 

TapioK

Well-Known Member
to add to the starting woes, even when it's warm, at first start in the AM I'll hit the starter button and there'll be nothing but a low level hum and then whoosh it'll fire right up. Not sure what that delay is indicative of but ... if that guides the decision on what oil to use
You happen to have a lithium battery?


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PROFLYER

SWOLE
Some guys have had issues when it's cold with the EHC being temperamental. If you're getting really strange issues when cold, try warming the EHC with a hair dryer before you start it up.

For oil, a good synthetic 20w50 will work in all temps. Let her high idle and warm up before you take off, and the motor will just run a bit cooler than it does when it's hot out. Even when really cold, that oil is still a 20w, so you're fine. Just let her warm up nice (1-2min) before taking off so everything is nice and lubed up.
 
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