What weight fork oil

[Guest]

I'm changing the forks on my 650. The manual calls for 15w oil. A couple of dealers said to use 10w, that 15w was too heavy.

Everything is stock, I'm the only rider @ 200#'s. I can get the 15w for just under $20 by the time I pay tax. Or, I can have my brother bring me some Honda 10w,,,from the Honda dealer that he works at, for $5.

I really don't care what the cost is. I just want the right stuff. What do you guys recommend. Thanks.

[hikermikem]

I used 15W on my 850 & I used 10W on my 1100. It's a matter of personal preference...

I will be switching over to 15w in the 1100, as I ride a little "spirited" at times, and like you I'm around 200#.

[koolaid_kid]

At that price, I would give the 10W a shot. If it is too light, you can always change it out without much of a loss of $$.

[Steve]

Like the others have said, it's a matter of riding style and comfort preference.

I have adopted the philosophy that I saw put forth by a racing tuner some years ago, "use the lightest oil that will do the job".

The purpose of fork oil is not to hold up the front of the bike, it is merely to damp the movement that is allowed by the springs.
The springs will be what determines how much the forks move, the oil only determines how quickly.

My riding style is not quite as "spirited" as others, and I do enjoy my comfort, so I use 10w in all my bikes.

.

[7981GS]

I agree with Steve.
It depends a lot on what YOU like and how you ride.
12.5W seems to be a happy medium on some of my bikes.
I am using 5W-30 synthetic motor oil in one and it seems to be working fine also. The hotter it gets, the firmer it rides.
As I ride a few of my bikes all-year from 25ish to over 100 degrees, I have experimented with many different ideas.
15W works on some of the more spirited summer rides.

Eric

[haztoys]

A) is it leaking ... B) how does it ride now ....?

The best way is to fill it with want the maker says and then tell us how it handles for there ...

[koolaid_kid]

A) is it leaking ... B) how does it ride now ....?

The best way is to fill it with want the maker says and then tell us how it handles for there ...

Afraid I cannot agree with this. Fork oil technology has changed greatly in the last 30 years, and I would go with modern trains of thought.

[haztoys]

Afraid I cannot agree with this. Fork oil technology has changed greatly in the last 30 years, and I would go with modern trains of thought.

... OK ....LOL...This is the madding part about forums..

[Quick Cal]

Well, I guess I'm not a very "Spirited" rider,,,lol. My bike is used 90% for commuting back and forth to work. And I only go about 5 mile's, if that. I don't get a chance to get out and hit the twisty's. But I'm hoping that's about to change. Truthfully, I never felt real comfortable taking turns very fast on this bike. The shocks are shot, along with trashed forks. The tires are not too great either.

I had just got my new fork seals and was getting ready to rebuild the fork's. Then someone backed into my bike at work. The worst it did was smash the chrome fender (that doesn't exist for this bike) and rack the forks. It did brake out one of the mounting bolts for the fender. Now I've got it tore down changing out the triple trees and forks. I'm going through the bike front to rear,,,as much as cash permits. I did get a new Avon for the rear. Hopefully I'll be able to get one for the front this payday.

Well I guess you guys weren't really needing to hear all that. But there it is. Sorry. I guess I'll start a thread about the crash.

So I guess I'm going for the 10w. Thanks.

[Steve]

That's OK, fresh 10w is probably much better than what's in there now.

.

[7981GS]

That's OK, fresh 10w is probably much better than what's in there now.

.

Anything (Practically) should be better than the 25-30 YO worn out, dirt filled, yucky stuff that is in there currently.
True enough.

[lurch12_2000]

I use 10w because 15w or 20w gets a little stiff for all the cold weather riding in NH. Remember that different brands of fork oil vary....their 10w is really 8w or some their 10w is really 12w. I'll see if I can find the web link that listed the true ratings.

[Quick Cal]

Who's 10 is really 8,,Honda?? A chart would be great. Then I can see how the Honda 10w compares to the Suzuki.

[koolaid_kid]

Quick Cal, you are over-thinking this. Use the 10W that is available and go from there. Keep it simple, don't overload yourself with extraneous information. Look at it this way: Using the available 10W will give you a benchmark. After adjusting preload (usually with spacers) go for a ride. See what you have. If you are pleased, you are done. If you feel it is underdamped, change it out. Easy peasy.

[haztoys]

Quick Cal, you are over-thinking this. Use the 10W that is available and go from there. Keep it simple, don't overload yourself with extraneous information. Look at it this way: Using the available 10W will give you a benchmark. After adjusting preload (usually with spacers) go for a ride. See what you have. If you are pleased, you are done. If you feel it is underdamped, change it out. Easy peasy.

This is what I was try to get at Koolaid when you told me I was "wrong"....lol

Get a base line and go from there ....Or as a guy thats been dealing with the black art of suspension for sometime dealing with Fox shock right now at work there look at the shock valve body I come up with some time ago.. ... Put half 10w and 15w add a 1/2 inch spacer and see where that gets you ...Dr Haztoys would say with your style and 200 pds