I've seen various topics and must admit to being a bit overwhelmed. Here's the basic question. I've got oil filters and am due for a change in about two weeks. I have a wally work, o'reilly's and auto-zone near me. I have an 07 thumper (I call her suzie q) with 10,750 miles on it. I honestly don't remember what I bought last time in the way of oil, so here's my question. I've seen "ZDDP" tossed out a bunch and want to know simply this: When I go to change my oil next, do I buy just oil (and if so,does where I live make a difference), or do I buy stuff with ZDDP in it or needing to be added to it.

Obviously, I'm a straight up noob. No problems in admitting it. Just wanting to learn and tinker on the weekends with a great bike.

Yeah, definitely not trying to start anything, but just looking for generic information on a) if there's oil that contain the zddp stuff or b) if not, what two things to use together,and in what ratio (1 quart to one 1 cup or what). Thanks to all.

Believe it or not...

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1345080430


--Steve

Just buy you a synthetic motorcycle oil and your worries are over,No additives needed,Motorcycle oils are made my oil engineers, not back yard wannabe oil guys.

OldFeller should tell Suzuki about his oil,My Suzuki dealer for over 40 years never heard about putting diesel oil in a motorcycle.And when he was young he raced motorcycles for 20 years

           

hee hee   .....  purty clear who really starts all the oil wars here on the list, casting that klotz top bait and then dragging it slowly across the lilly pads.

Here is a good resource for where you are right now -- it is the VERY TOP item on the Rubber Side Down page for a reason.   Try reading it all then asking your questions according to your new knowledge.

There is a lot of stuff on this list, some pretty advanced, some very basic.   Our problem is we will talk "advanced stuff" to people who are asking simple stuff.

Speaking of Basic Stuff -- don't pay a lot of attention to what Bill says.   He says a lot of things for effect, trying to provoke people.   He is not supposed to be talking to new people any more since he got sentenced for telling newbies complete nonsense on purpose, but that is another story you will hear about later on, I suspect.

Good luck with your first oil change.

BIg difference between "going cheap" & purchasing a well researched item with a proven track record that isnt "cheap" it just doesnt cost a ridiculous amount of money for a lousy quart of it.
My Motorcycles have Rotella T 15/40 in them. The backhoe, the lawnmower & pickup..
Ive bveen running Rotella for at least 15 of the 20, 000 miles on the bike,, no munched bearings,, clutch works great.
Bill happily ignores the facts about Rotella & says its just a Diesel oil,,


Well,, what engines are more hostile inside? Gas or diesel? Diesels LOAD the heck out of the bearings, as they crush the air in the cylinder to the point the diesel ignites,,think about it,,