Winter Oil Viscosity in snowbelt

[Coldfinger]

I don't see a seasonal oil viscosity recommendation.

I'm thinking of using something less than 20w50 from now thru March.    Temp ranges for riding like 30-65.

I'm not sure a 20w40 would gain me much because it's still 20.

What about a 5w40, 10w40 or 15w40? 

[arrowdriver]

My mechanic knows I ride in all kind of temperatures and have never recommended using anything but the default one.

[johnny555]

The dealership nearby only carries 10w40 and 10w50. ThAts all they recommend all year here and we get up in 100s in summer and down to teens in winter.

[StrykerBilly]

The dealership nearby only carries 10w40 and 10w50. ThAts all they recommend all year here and we get up in 100s in summer and down to teens in winter.

That probably covers a lot.  Looking at the chart below there is a fair amount of overlap and in reality those who are riding in the "extremes" probably know what to run for those temps.  For the rest of us something from 5-50(basically including all the combos in between) covers everything.   Note:  I have a Stryker so the liquid cooling helps in the high range(but kills me with the blast of hot air:()  Personally I'd give her a little more time to warm up for winter rides but would be much more concerned with an ice patch or salt than the oil.  Modern oils are well "modern" 
Low 60's this weekend so my girl survives another week before being sent to hibernation

[Coldfinger]

For the Raider, I see no vicosity range chart.  I only see 20w40 as the recommended oil.  Actually, this is the only vehicle of many I've owned, bikes included, which don't give a range so does anyone want to make a guess as to why that is?

[RaidWA]

Where are you checking? The owner's manual has a very clear range chart for the two viscosities Yamaha recommends for the Raider; 20W50 and 10W40. The latter is what you need. I run it year around.

[Coldfinger]

Owners Manual
Star
XV19csx(c)
XV19cx(c)
29s-28199-10
copyright 2007

Page 6-12 it says Recommended engine oil: see page 8-1
Page 8-1 in the Specification section it just says Yamalube 4 20w40 or SAE20w40, API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA.

I got the manual from the dealer who ordered it for my bike.  Maybe it's not the right one?

[Silent_Mike]

I don't think I'd use the 5 weight since it may be a little too thin for the how the engine is built.  But any of the others you listed in the OP should be fine.  The listing of only 20w-40 and 20w-50 is from older manuals (the service and owners manuals from '08-'11). The 2012 manual is updated but applies to all raiders since the engines are the same. 

The 2012 service manual lists the following under engine specs:

Engine Oil
     Recommended Brand                                  Yamalube
     Lubrication System                                      Dry sump
     Type                                                            SAE 10w-30, 10w-40, 10w-50, 15w-40
                                                                         20w-40, or 20w50
     Recommended Engine Oil Grade                  API service SG or higher, JASO standard MA

[RaidWA]

Owner's manual, page 9-1.

[Coldfinger]

Thanks guys.  Judging by the copyright date I have one of the early manuals which doesn't have the chart.

[GlacierBlue]

The dealership nearby only carries 10w40 and 10w50. ThAts all they recommend all year here and we get up in 100s in summer and down to teens in winter.

That probably covers a lot.  Looking at the chart below there is a fair amount of overlap and in reality those who are riding in the "extremes" probably know what to run for those temps.  For the rest of us something from 5-50(basically including all the combos in between) covers everything.   Note:  I have a Stryker so the liquid cooling helps in the high range(but kills me with the blast of hot air:()  Personally I'd give her a little more time to warm up for winter rides but would be much more concerned with an ice patch or salt than the oil.  Modern oils are well "modern" 
Low 60's this weekend so my girl survives another week before being sent to hibernation

That chart is in my owner's manual.  I note that 15W40 is listed as an acceptable viscosity.  The only oil I have ever seen in the 15W40 viscosity is also rated CC/CD for diesels.  My manual specifically says not to use any oil with the C rating.  Kind of weird since Shell Rotella also carries the motorcycle rating JASO MA.  I always used Rotella T in my Honda but this is a different bike with a lot more power.  I guess I will use Mobil 1 V Twin oil...with 10W40 in the cold season (fall and spring) and 20W50 in the summer.  I ride about 12,000 miles/year so 3 oil changes.

[Coldfinger]

I see Castrol has a 10w50 bike synthetic bike oil.  That would work.  Now have to see if anyone around here carries it.

[GlacierBlue]

I see Castrol has a 10w50 bike synthetic bike oil.  That would work.  Now have to see if anyone around here carries it.

The problem with those wide viscosity oils, as I understand it, is they do not tend to stay in grade.  What I have read it that 10W50 would become a 10W30 after a few thousand miles.  I am not an expert on oil.  That's what I have read on BOBistheOilGuy.com, where there are a lot of oil experts, real and self proclaimed.

[Coldfinger]

I've read something about that, staying in grade stuff.  It seems like they said dino oils were more prone to it vs synthetics but I'm no expert either.

[Coldfinger]

I sent an email to Castrol asking about the service life of their 10w50syn vs their 20w50syn and I'll let you know how they respond.

Interesting note - looks like:

early manuals listed 20w40
maybe middle manuals listed both 10w40 or 20w50
later manuals listed 10w-30, 10w-40, 10w-50, 15w-40, 20w-40, or 20w50