Dave
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SuzukiSavage.com Rocks!
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Camp Springs, Kentucky
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I used to use expensive designer oils, and I never had any oil related failures.
Then when the oils started to be changed and the ZDDP levels dropped, and I started reading about the failed cams and rockers in vintage cars, tractors and motorcycles.....I started to pay a bit more attention.
For the Savage, I do believe the Shell Rotella T and T-6 will work just fine, and you will likely never have any oil related problems. I really don't believe the Savage is over-stressed thermally or mechanically - and the difference in oil viscosity between a 15W-40 or 20W-50 is most likely negligible at normal operating temperatures. There have been a few instances where I have gotten the engine noticeably hotter than what is my "normal"....once we were on a 1st gear climb up a steep gravel road in 90+ weather on a trip to TN/NC....and another time MMRanch took me down Main Street in Gatlinburg in 90+ temperatures, and we were just crawling through town and I shut my engine off several times as we sat and waited for some kind of movement.
The only oil related failures I am aware of come from: 1) Most are cam bearing failures from running the engine at too low of an idle speed. 2) The next most common failure is cam lobe or rocker failure from running an oil with too low ZDDP content. 3) Some folks have clutch slippage from running an automotive oil that is energy saving and has friction modifiers. 4) Some members have run their engines on the interstate at high speeds for extended periods and run low on oil and suffered from piston/cylinder seizures.......two members had Wiseco piston seizures during the "break in" period (one pushed his bike to 80 mph for an extended period....the other one has never reported back on why his may have seized - The Wiseco pistons have proven to be reliable when they are broken in properly).
So....the bottom line is that you most likely don't need to worry about an oil related engine failure as long as you keep 1,200 ppm of ZDDP, don't use friction modifiers, and keep an eye on the oil level, and keep your idle speed up around 1,100 rpm. We also don't recommend letting your bike warm up while idling on the side stand - start the bike up, give it a few seconds to get the oil flowing....then slowly ride off and allow the bike to warm up a bit before using full throttle.
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