Regular oil vs synthetic

The SW I just purchased is a 2002 with 50K miles. The previous owner used regular 20w50 oil. I would like to switch to synthetic 20w50. I just purchased Ams oil scooter oil 20w50. Should I use this or purchase regular synthetic.

Lugwrench wrote:

The SW I just purchased is a 2002 with 50K miles. The previous owner used regular 20w50 oil. I would like to switch to synthetic 20w50. I just purchased Ams oil scooter oil 20w50. Should I use this or purchase regular synthetic.

You shouldn't be using 20w 50 at all, just because that dick of a previous owner used it. The Owners Manual states using 10w 30, or 10w 40 oil.

Meldrew wrote:

Lugwrench wrote:

The SW I just purchased is a 2002 with 50K miles. The previous owner used regular 20w50 oil. I would like to switch to synthetic 20w50. I just purchased Ams oil scooter oil 20w50. Should I use this or purchase regular synthetic.

You shouldn't be using 20w 50 at all, just because that dick of a previous owner used it. The Owners Manual states using 10w 30 or 10w 40 oil.

 don't hold back,speak your mind Meldrew.

Lugwrench,oil is a hugely debatable topic with reasoned arguments on all sides.
I personally use the recommended oil, bearing in mind the viscosity is the key to suit the climate/usage.
However if the original owner used stated to 50K without issues & you're happy to do so carry on.(as they say if it ain't broke don't fix it)

I'm with Scootypuff. At 50000 miles the engine has certaily loosened up enough to accommodate a higher viscosity oil. However I wouldn't advise using 20 wt during the frigid winter months.

Now switching from regular oil to full synthetic... The jury is out on that. IMHO it's going to be okay making that leap. If not your oil consumption will increase. 

I'd favor full synthetic 20 w 50 over standard oil anyway. I recall seeing a post somewhere stating that full synthetic viscosity rating are merely a suggestion. Evidently ther's a lot of wiggle room in those ratings.

Contradictory statements, I know. But it's my 2¢ opinion

Tim

Thanks for all he comments I really have to apologize I purchased the 10w40. I have a sportster that I was getting ready to sell and had 20w on the brain sorry guys. But with that being said, the oil I purchased was Ams Oil 10w40 blended for scooters. I am not sure that a SW could be classified scooter(I might get hammered for this statement)
now should I keep or return for regular synthetic.

I have to also say that since I have had this SW I feel much more comfortable and safe(but still 100% focused when riding). I have ridden on freeway at 70mph which is something I would never do on sportster unless riding with group. It quick and nimble.

10W40 is what you want. SYN oils flow better in colder temps. and stays thicker at higher temps.
Nothing wrong with that oil. Sometimes SYN oil starts to clean out old deposits left from other oils and will turn darker after a change. Oil is still good just cleaning up internal engine parts a bit.

SW is a big scooter it can out corner a Sportster because parts don't start to drag.

I have used various 10w-30 and 10W-40 oils with no problems. Normally I use Rotella T-5 10W-30 semi synthetic. The only oil my SWing did not like was Rotella T 15W-40... I had enough of this left over from another bike to do one oil change and the Silver Wing did not like it, used nearly a quart of oil in one cycle (5K miles). Since reverting back to correct oil viscosity the SWing has not used any oil.

I use Amsoil and wont look back.

I don't get hung up on oil brands, I'm currently using Castrol in the Silver Wing and I've also used Motul, and Silkolene. Over the years I've happily used Elf, Mobil, Shell, Pro Honda,  Agip, Aral, BP, Comma, Texaco, Duckhams, and just about any other brand that's easily available. As long it's in the spec recommended by the Owners Handbook for the two or four wheeled vehicle I need it for, it's fine.

Synthetic spec or natural spec oil is fine, as long as it's changed when spec mileage expires.
Synthetic will last about twice as long as natural.

Mobil is now advertising a 10,000 mile synthetic for cars.

I vaguely remember a lawnmower company recently advertising a no-oil-change lawn mower. Never have to change the oil for the life of the mower. Just top up when needed. (Maybe because the engine will wear out before the oil life.)

bikehiker wrote:

Synthetic spec or natural spec oil is fine, as long as it's changed when spec mileage expires.
Synthetic will last about twice as long as natural.

Mobil is now advertising a 10,000 mile synthetic for cars.

I vaguely remember a lawnmower company recently advertising a no-oil-change lawn mower.  Never have to change the oil for the life of the mower.  Just top up when needed.  (Maybe  because the engine will wear out before the oil life.)

One must be careful with oil claims and warranties, after the warranty expires it's yours to change when you please until then no matter what the oil is it must be changed on time, both Honda and Subaru were emphatic about that when I questioned them about this. Honda went by the " oil change light " Subaru by miles driven, Honda's light came on around 8000 miles. Both vehicles used full synthetic 0 w 20 oils.

bikehiker wrote:

Synthetic spec or natural spec oil is fine, as long as it's changed when spec mileage expires.
Synthetic will last about twice as long as natural.

Mobil is now advertising a 10,000 mile synthetic for cars.

I vaguely remember a lawnmower company recently advertising a no-oil-change lawn mower.  Never have to change the oil for the life of the mower.  Just top up when needed.  (Maybe  because the engine will wear out before the oil life.)

That said I have a Craftsman rotary mower that I bought new in 1996! Still starts and runs fine. Change the oil every year or two depending on use. Does not use a drop... So glad I did not go with a Walmart special at the time LOL

GHM-PM wrote:

bikehiker wrote:

Synthetic spec or natural spec oil is fine, as long as it's changed when spec mileage expires.
Synthetic will last about twice as long as natural.

Mobil is now advertising a 10,000 mile synthetic for cars.

I vaguely remember a lawnmower company recently advertising a no-oil-change lawn mower.  Never have to change the oil for the life of the mower.  Just top up when needed.  (Maybe  because the engine will wear out before the oil life.)

That said I have a Craftsman rotary mower that I bought new in 1996! Still starts and runs fine. Change the oil every year or two depending on use. Does not use a drop... So glad I did not go with a Walmart special at the time LOL

There's only 3 blades of grass in Wickenburg that Craftsman ought to last forever

Like my dentist says, "You floss and brush only the teeth you want to keep."
You change oil for only the engines you want to keep.

oldwingguy wrote:

GHM-PM wrote:

bikehiker wrote:

Synthetic spec or natural spec oil is fine, as long as it's changed when spec mileage expires.
Synthetic will last about twice as long as natural.

Mobil is now advertising a 10,000 mile synthetic for cars.

I vaguely remember a lawnmower company recently advertising a no-oil-change lawn mower.  Never have to change the oil for the life of the mower.  Just top up when needed.  (Maybe  because the engine will wear out before the oil life.)

That said I have a Craftsman rotary mower that I bought new in 1996! Still starts and runs fine. Change the oil every year or two depending on use. Does not use a drop... So glad I did not go with a Walmart special at the time LOL

There's only 3 blades of grass in Wickenburg   that Craftsman ought to last forever

Sounds good but most of its life it has been in Idaho and Washington and now it is in Northern Nevada!!! Got a Lowes unit for AZ.

Just pulling a leg, there's more green in Az. then some people think, When you tell people they grow apples and alfalfa within 80 miles of Phoenix they give you a strange look.

oldwingguy wrote:

Just pulling a leg, there's more green in Az. then some people think, When you tell people they grow apples and alfalfa within 80 miles of Phoenix they give you a strange look.

True story, that And cotton too. Water the desert and most anything will grow. It's why Arizona is such an allergy nightmare. All the people from around the country bring their native plants and grasses and grow them in AZ... Go figure.

I remember it from 1960 on our first trip out there, change has been phenomenal, you have to search for the old Az.