Recently Shell changed the container format for the Rotella oil, and they made a few changes to the oil inside as well.

The changes to the Rotella T have been somewhat minor, and it is now marketed as T4.  It remains one of the best oils you can use in the Savage engine, and it most likely doesn't need any bump to the ZDDP levels, and does not have any friction modifiers so it is safe to use in a wet clutch motorcycle.
Old Rotella T analysis:
http://pqiadata.org/ShellRotellaT15W40.html
 
New Rotella T4 analysis:
http://pqiadata.org/Shell_Rotella_T4_15W40_4192017.html

The changes to the T6 seem like they may not be good for the Savage clutch - as they have added Moly to the oil.  MMRanch and Oldfeller were both long time users of the T6, and they both experienced clutch slippage and have stopped using the T6.  I don't know at what ppm level the Moly causes clutch problems, and I have not yet found a listing of what is in the new T6  - hopefully that will come along soon.

Old Rotella T6 analysis:
http://www.pqiamerica.com/June%202014/shellrotellat6.htm

The purpose of this thread is to discuss if we should stop recommending the use of T6 in the Savage.

I'm using T6 and I'm not having any issues, as a matter of fact it seems to run smoother. My bike is new (2017 3500kms) I will keep a eye on this.

On this page https://rotella.shell.com/products/t6-full-synthetic.html
it says at the bottom:

"OEM Specifications and Approvals for Shell ROTELLA® T6 full synthetic heavy duty engine oil
   API: CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4
   ACEA E9; JASO DH-2; Cummins CES 20086; Volvo VDS-4.5; Detroit Fluid Specification (DFS) 93K222, Caterpillar ECF-2/ECF-3, MAN M3575, JASO MA/MA2, Allison TES 439, MB-Approval 228."

Pretty well answers that question

Any motorcycle specific synthetic oil will work fine. Go to your local bike shop and they will have dozens.

T4 for me ... forget the "sprinkles"  

Name one

Gary_in_NJ wrote on 11/06/17 at 15:07:50:

------------------

Here is one, and I think there are more!  Otherwise, they would be listed here on this web site, wouldn't they?

There are also some that have low levels of ZDDP that shouldn't be used unless one ups the ZDDP himself.

Lucas High Performance 4T Motorcycle Oil WITH MOLY is designed for NON WET APPLICATIONS

I also think (as I remember when I did all my own research with the various companies) that there were some Harly V-Twin specific oils that were not compatible with wet clutches (Valvoline or something like that if my memory serves me).  I know for a fact that there are some BMW specific oils that were not designed for wet clutches - but for the older dry clutches on them.

I think that the synthetics add far more lubricity  than the conventional oils.  And the super-synthetics (those with the natural gas base) are even better.

I was informed by an oil "guru" that the supers have proven to be markedly superior to even the older synthetics and that they actually double the oil life as they provide superior lubricity and they don't break down as easily as other offerings.

There are only 2 "supers" that I know of, Shell Rotella T6 & Pennzoil (the one with the blue print on the label). Both owned by Shell.

However, I was told that the T6 was suitable for the Savage (by the mfg. techs whom I contacted on my own).

Well . . . yeah...