Alternative oil, how to chose?

[nrg]

All,

I am currently travelling far from home and about to cross the border into India on my F8.
Inevitably the question of an oil change has come....I have not done my homework on this.
Of course the BMW 15-50 semisynthetic is not available.
What is available is motor oil and some limited oil for bikes.
I have found Mobil 2000 semisynthetic 10w-40 and some synthetic 20-50
So what is more important?
Is it the type of oil, i.e. semisynthetic better than synthetic?
Or does the grading i.e. 20-50 as opposed to 10-40 bear greater importance?
I go by the understanding that any oil is better than no oil but there is some choice out here and would like to keep the bike happily running to SE Asia
I have intention of Eoing an oil change every 2000 to 3000 miles now rather than the standard 6000.
Anyone here with an answer?

Cheers.

 

[v8legend]

When I changed mine, I used Castrol Power 1, which is 10w40 semi synthetic. That was the correct oil according to my dealer. I'd go for the Mobil, sounds spot on.

 

[casper]

Most important is that it is a motorcycle oil.
It should say JASO MA on the bottle.
Oils formulated for car use often contain friction modifiers.
These can cause clutch slip in wet clutch engines.

 

[Ash]

When I changed mine, I used Castrol Power 1, which is 10w40 semi synthetic. That was the correct oil according to my dealer. I'd go for the Mobil, sounds spot on.

Plus one, my 700 has 10w40 also....

 

[Ash]

Edit.....
My 650 GS twin book says
10w-40 or 15w-40

My 700 GS book says
15w-50