I was looking at the recommended oils to use for the Savage.  Valvoline VR1 Racing oil is not mentioned.  (I’m new, but starting to get the hang of the ‘search’ button!).  

According to Valvoline’s customer service, this type of Valvoline oil contains 1400 ppm zinc and 1300 ppm phosphorus.  Wouldn’t this fit the ZDDP requirements for the Savage?  They make: 10w-30, 20w-50, and single viscosities of 30, 40, 50, and 60.

This Valvoline oil is very common where I live and would be my choice, … if it works for the Savage.

Thanks,
Ron G

Ron I'll go with Lavis on this one. There have been just too many instances of clutch issues with auto type oil in bikes!

I use suzuki oil in mine and have had no issues with it at all.... its what originally came with the bike from the factory, and for around $6 a quart its not that expensive for 100% peace of mind... Ive heard of some people using Motul oil as well with excellent results.  Depending on the climate, id stick with a viscosity of 10w40 but if youre in a warmer climate a thicker viscosity is definitely better, where I live it rarely gets to 90 degrees. Car oil will fry your clutch in no time flat.

Some time back one of our members (Verslagen, I think) did some temperature testing with various oils. He found that 20W-50 oils cause the engine to run at higher temps than did the 10W-40 oils. These were measured as temperatures above ambient. The higher viscosity oils appear to have higher friction resulting in more losses. Those higher temperatures, to my mind, will cause the heavier oil to "thin" more than lighter oils, so the effect on the engine is higher temperatures and similar oil viscosities at operating temperatures.

One of the things that always happens in forums like these is that worthwhile subjects keep popping up over time.  The kind of oil to use in this bike is a very worthwhile subject because:
-- The motor can be damaged if the wrong oil is used.
-- A LOT of money can be wasted on uber-expensive oil.
-- Humans simply seem to feel better deep in their heart when they use additives.

So,... oil keeps popping up as a subject.

Another thing that happens in these kinds of forums is that, since they reach many many thousands of folks, most of those folks aren't aware of research and discussions over the past decade or two that deal with their pet worthwhile subject.  For the worthwhile subject of LS650/S40 oil:
-- This subject is brought up by a new newbie every few months, unaware of all the previous discussion.
-- This subject has been researched and researched and researched by actual experts,... LS650/S40 experts who are also experts in motor oil.
-- Not only are we fortunate enough here to have these experts that have done this research, these experts (in real time) are keeping the rest of us advised when something changes that affects the oil we use in our bikes.  This is VERY unusual, and really an advantage to folks like me who would never bother to stay on top of situations like the way formulations of oil are changing.

That said, there is simply no point in trying to find an oil better than the Rotella commonly available at Walmart.  There is not any oil that will work better,.. some others might work as well, but not better,..... and there is not any acceptable oil that is cheaper.

To make that situation even better, our LS650/S40 experts (fully knowledgeable of the ZDDP issue) have that situation all figured out for us as well, should we choose to want to increase zinc levels, so to speak.

Anyway, there is just not much point in spending any energy trying to figure out what oil to use.  That issue is fully handled,.. and much to our advantage since the outcome of that issue is probably the lowest cost outcome we could have hoped for.

Every Walmart and truck stop in North America should have it on the shelf. In a pinch and can't find it on a road trip? Delo and Delvac are acceptable for top off and most gas stations carry at least one of them.

I've been an on again off again truck driver for 14 years. Those 3 oils flat out work.  10K mile service life in on-road big rigs is common, in a Savage they are normally/nominally a change once a year deal.

actually its a good post, hopefully people can save themselves money or engine damage by not using the wrong oil.  Of all the various auto forums I have posted to over the years, oil topics are like religion or politics. I don't know why, but some people are oil crazy. All I can do is agree, rotella fits the bill for everything a savage owner needs.

I thot the reply was complete & thotful & nicely done. I was gonna give Gyro a High 5..