SIMPLE OIL QUESTION! (not trying to start anything...)

[biguglyman]

Picked up 5 quarts of Honda synthetic oil on the cheap.  Problem (?) is it's 10-30.  I notice in most of the oil discussions here you guys run mostly 10-40 or -50.  Can I run with 10-30?  I'm in upstate NY so it's not like the temps run in the 90's for weeks at a time.

[Hoser]

It sould not be used if it has friction modifiers,  the bottom half of the API circle label on the can should be blank.  Most of the 10-30 oils have friction modifiers.  It can lead to clutch slippage, since the same oil is shared in the crankcase and clutch.  Hoser

[Bone]

Honda Owners Manual that came with my 98 Tourer page 69.
Recommended Oil Viscosity 10W-40

Other viscosities may be used when the average temperatures in your riding area is within indicated range.
10W-30 temp range  10º - 90º
 

[biguglyman]

It's the Honda brand oil without the friction modifiers.  Maybe if I take it to the stealer he'll let me swap it for 10-40...

[98valk]

the GL1800 recommended oil is 10w30, plus this engine uses chain drive for the cams.

I ran in the valkyrie, amsoil 10w30/30 diesel oil for 8k miles over 2 yrs using oil analysis, even after 8k miles the last OA came back oil still good for continued use.

boxer style engines have low wear.  Honda states 8k oil changes with dino oil including their oil which over the yrs per OA has shown not to be the best oil out there.

www.bobistheoilguy.com  good info and plenty of UOAs.