Oil weight for my climate

SuperNoob · 07-13-2021, 03:49 AM

I know oil threads can go real bad real fast, so I'll try to keep this one simple. My Lifan Xpect is on the way, and I plan to follow the commonly posted wisdom of changing the oil before ever starting it up, and then pretty damn frequently for the whole break in period.

I found a .pdf copy of the Xpect owner's manual, and predictably their guidance for oil weights isn't quite as detailed as I'd like. https://archive.org/details/american...age/3/mode/2up

What I'm wondering about is if I should consider going with 20w-50 oil.
We've been having a hotter than usual summer in my area so far this year. Set a new record high a few weeks ago (something like 115 IIRC), and it's been in the high 90s or over 100 pretty consistently since then as well.

Does anyone know what this 200cc engine is a clone of so I can check that mfr specs? According to the lifan manual, their 15-40 is good for -10 to 40C, and google tells me 40C is 104 in freedom units. So I'm curious if this bike could benefit from 20W-50 oil during the peak summer months, and then maybe 10W-40 in fall/spring.

**JerryHawk250** · 07-13-2021, 07:43 AM

20w-50 for the hot summers for sure.

ChillRider · 07-13-2021, 09:53 AM

You're getting an entire oil temperature chart with over 10 recommendations -how much more detail do you need? Granted, they probably ripped that chart off somewhere else, but at least they tell you more than the laconic "15W40 SF" that came with my bike (Zongshen Sierra)

They also threw some quite unusual viscosities in there (seriously, who uses 25W40?) and they don't mention anything in the xW-50 range, but it stands to reason that this would go even further -hotter- than xW-40.

20W-50 is OK for really hot climates, but you're going to regret it as soon as the oil gets used or the weather cools down a bit (but, if you plan on doing frequent changes, that doesn't matter much).

A 15W50 would be a better option IMO, because it will be part-synthetic, while most 20W50s will be pure dino oil. Also, note no mention of MA/MA2 specs anywhere....

alex_in_az · 07-13-2021, 12:34 PM

I'm in the hot part of AZ, I run 10w40 year round with no issues

ExMxer · 07-13-2021, 08:34 PM

10 40 GN4, or Yamalube. Never had a problem, and we hit 100 here often in the summer.

Fireman350 · 07-14-2021, 03:46 AM

Rotella t4 15w40 is what was recommended by my dealer and also my oil of choice for some of my other machines with a wet disk clutch.

ChillRider · 07-14-2021, 10:52 AM

Since I asked "who uses 25W40 oil anyway?", I did some research and it seems that it's a very common weight for outboard/boat motors, and all the 25W40 oils that I could find were marine oils. Go figure.

07-13-2021, 03:49 AM	#1
SuperNoob Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 15	Oil weight for my climate I know oil threads can go real bad real fast, so I'll try to keep this one simple. My Lifan Xpect is on the way, and I plan to follow the commonly posted wisdom of changing the oil before ever starting it up, and then pretty damn frequently for the whole break in period. I found a .pdf copy of the Xpect owner's manual, and predictably their guidance for oil weights isn't quite as detailed as I'd like. https://archive.org/details/american...age/3/mode/2up What I'm wondering about is if I should consider going with 20w-50 oil. We've been having a hotter than usual summer in my area so far this year. Set a new record high a few weeks ago (something like 115 IIRC), and it's been in the high 90s or over 100 pretty consistently since then as well. Does anyone know what this 200cc engine is a clone of so I can check that mfr specs? According to the lifan manual, their 15-40 is good for -10 to 40C, and google tells me 40C is 104 in freedom units. So I'm curious if this bike could benefit from 20W-50 oil during the peak summer months, and then maybe 10W-40 in fall/spring.
	0

07-13-2021, 07:43 AM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,710	20w-50 for the hot summers for sure. __________________ 2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

07-13-2021, 12:34 PM	#4
alex_in_az Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Goodyear, Arizona Posts: 412	I'm in the hot part of AZ, I run 10w40 year round with no issues __________________ 2020 Tao TBR7 9.3:1 PnP head CRF230F exhaust 4 degree advance key 290 degree cam Nibbi PE30 and cone filter Front fork brace
	1

07-13-2021, 09:53 AM	#3
ChillRider Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: A small country with a funny name Posts: 164	You're getting an entire oil temperature chart with over 10 recommendations -how much more detail do you need? Granted, they probably ripped that chart off somewhere else, but at least they tell you more than the laconic "15W40 SF" that came with my bike (Zongshen Sierra) They also threw some quite unusual viscosities in there (seriously, who uses 25W40?) and they don't mention anything in the xW-50 range, but it stands to reason that this would go even further -hotter- than xW-40. 20W-50 is OK for really hot climates, but you're going to regret it as soon as the oil gets used or the weather cools down a bit (but, if you plan on doing frequent changes, that doesn't matter much). A 15W50 would be a better option IMO, because it will be part-synthetic, while most 20W50s will be pure dino oil. Also, note no mention of MA/MA2 specs anywhere....
	0

07-13-2021, 08:34 PM	#5
ExMxer Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Earth, USA Posts: 196	10 40 GN4, or Yamalube. Never had a problem, and we hit 100 here often in the summer.
	1

07-14-2021, 03:46 AM	#6
Fireman350 Join Date: May 2021 Location: Fall River Wisconsin Posts: 11	Rotella t4 15w40 is what was recommended by my dealer and also my oil of choice for some of my other machines with a wet disk clutch.
	2

07-14-2021, 10:52 AM	#7
ChillRider Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: A small country with a funny name Posts: 164	Since I asked "who uses 25W40 oil anyway?", I did some research and it seems that it's a very common weight for outboard/boat motors, and all the 25W40 oils that I could find were marine oils. Go figure.
	0