Motorcycle Oil?

I am changing the oil on my motorcycle soon and the manual recommends to use 10w30 or 20w40 oil, and I could not find any of that kind. The guy I talked to said that 20w40 and 20w50 were pretty much the same thing and that 20w50 would work just fine.





Does that sound right? Will it do any damage if I use 20w50 oil?





Thanks and any help is appreciated!!Motorcycle Oil?
The generally available motorcycle engine oil weights are 10w40 and 20w50. Use 10w40 in place of 10w30 and 20w50 in place of 20w40. The oil needs to meet JASO MA and/or API SJ. Use the lightest oil acceptable for your area's climate.





Do not use 10w-30 oil formulated for cars and light trucks. Cars and trucks with a manual transmission use a dry clutch. Oil that has API SL or SM contains friction reducing additives that will cause a motorcycle's wet clutch not to work right and could ruin it.





I own a Yamaha which came with an owners manual calling for the use of 10w30 motor oil. But, Yamaha only markets Yamalube in 10w40, 20w50 and a synthetic of 15w50. They say that these oils are specially formulated to Yamaha specifications!Motorcycle Oil?
I will agree with ';irepocars';; And add that if you are in a warm climate the heavier oil will probably not be a problem.





But, as soon as practicable, I would change to what the manual recommends.
You wont do any damage. However, It always best to follow the manufacturers recommendations.
20W-50 is a heavy (thick) oil. use 5w20 or 10W40


the lower the number, the easier to start in cold
if you cant get 20W40..20W50 is not going to make a huge difference.. it's not going to damage/destroy your engine..


I would use 20W50..and I would'nt loose any sleep over it.:)
Don't use 20w50.


It's weird that you can't find 10w30, it's common at every store and gas station that carries motor oil around here (Los Angeles). If you really can't find it, then use 10w40.
if you ride in a hot climate use 20-50 . do not use any car oil's in any of the new school liquid cooled engines. most off road %26amp; motorcycle shops will have the oil you need.
10w40 if its a crotch rocket