I am a newcomer to the Savage site. I have read as a guest for several weeks now and am seriously considering buying a Savage. This bike will be a year-round commuter for me, so reliability and fuel economy are major issues.
I have learned a lot so far from everyone here and really appreciate the information.  Can anyone comment on Savage fuel economy and what I might expect in a commute at 45-55 mph?
I have read about oil leaks, cam chain failure, etc. I would like to hear from some of you about the reliability of the Savage in daily commuting duty.  Is it trouble prone or a reliable bike?
Thanks in advance for all your help!  I may soon be a regular member.

The oil leaks are not a big issue 95% of the time, since it is usually just a slight leak and does not cause any serious problems.  I have only heard of 2 cam chain breaks but they seem to be discussed over and over.  Many owners have logged a lot of miles on the Savage with no problems at all.  Some have gone cross country with no difficulty, and others have ran the snot out of it doing 0-60 and 1/4 mile runs over and over again and the bike does just fine.  I have found the clutch does slip a bit when the engine power is almost doubled, but other than that all is well.
It is a good bike ... very dependable and fun to ride.

When it was new and bone stock the milage was 52.  With the mod's I have done it would vary between 46 if riding hard and fast, to 48 for spirited fun riding, to 50 when cruising on the highway.

I wear ear-plugs to keep from chasing the buzzing/squeeking speedo-cable.
Other than that, I have NO COMPLAINTS.  60+ MPG, 75 mph cruising, no chain, no coolant system to service, no shaft/ring gear to lube.  All-in-all, less routine mnx than any other bike I've owned so far, and I've owned 3 hondas, 1 kawasaki, and 2 yamahas.

I got legal and started riding Thumper on October 14th, 2004.   Have done about 10,000 miles over the past two years.  Overfilled the oil and developed The Leak the first month.  Still have it.  Replaced the rear tire soon after getting the bike and it needs replacing again.  Front was good, replaced it a few months ago, about the same time I replaced front brake pads.  Rear shoes are about gone, will do them when I do the rear tire.

Am suppose to check/adjust valves; haven't.  I haven't even looked at the spark plug.   Have changed the oil and filter a few times -- at 2500 to 4000 mile intervals.  Had a broken clutch cable.   Mostly Thumper has been taking me to and from work  quite reliably for over two years with pitiful maintenance.  I am planning on taking Thumper to the GEEIA reunion next September in OKC, and since I'm that close will be seeing #1 daughter in Jonesboro after.  Depending on how I feel after the ride east I may do a BB1500 on the return (Jonesboro to Needles is 1505 miles.)

I am an abusive vehicle owner, Thumper takes it.  I couldn't ask for a more reliable motorcycle.

My commute is 4 miles one way, stops, traffic lights.  Cruise at 35-45 but average is closer to 15-20 due to waiting for lights.  Thumper likes to get up to speed speed quickly.  Yet no matter how I try I can't get the mileage much below 45 mpg.  On the few road trips I've taken the mileage is up around 60 -- which still includes a considerable amount to street as well as freeway/highway use.  The cruising in the 45-55 mph range has to be 65 mpg+ to give me the 60 mpg average.

I bought a 96 abt 14 months ago, I ride it to work nearly ever day, 25 mile round trip on city streets. It had 6500 miles, now has over 13K.  gets 50-52 mpg.

only 2 failures:
battery died, bought an AGM (BigCrank.com)
broke shift rod, had to wait a week for a new one,
it stuck in 2nd gear, but it still got me home.

any vehicle that doesn't leave me stranded somewhere is reliable to me.

oh, yeah, I park it right at the front door of the factory,
the boss lady asked about my oil leak (she has several bikes)
I told her It doesn't leak oil, it just marks its territory.

I've had excellent reliability with mine. What little problems I've had were caused by my own tinkering.
I've never done better than 46mpg, but this is all in town type driving. I've never taken it on an extended road run without stops. Bike has 6350 miles on it.

My commute distance was only 2 miles when I was working, I'm now retired. This explains why my milage is not as good. If your commute is 20 miles in each direction, and it is pretty much non stop, I can see the 60mpg numbers some have reported.

I sometimes think; why don't you sell this motorcycle and get a pickup truck? The bike's value has dropped a lot, say to about $2800. Man, this this bike has a lot more value than that to me. I'll keep it. It is still a real enjoyable ride. Maybe I'll park it in my dining room.