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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> s40 vs LS650
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Message started by savagenation on 08/18/06 at 15:15:24

Title: s40 vs LS650
Post by savagenation on 08/18/06 at 15:15:24

Well I rode two bikes today as part of my search and wanted to share my experiences with each and obtain some feedback. The first was a 2005 s40 with 2k miles. The bike had good power, very torquey however, it seemed a little awkward in terms of its low speed handling. I attributed this to the combination of a somewhat raked fork and the short drag bar. In addition to that the bike backfired like crazy on the 15 minute test ride. The only thing I liked was the power.

A short while later I rode a 1999 Savage (LS650) with 5k miles on it that I liked a lot better. No backfiring and the steering felt much more forgiving and intiutive. It did have buckhorn bars on it rather than the drag bars. I don't know if that alone attributes to the better steering feel or not.

My original plan was to purchase that bike and put the drag bars on it since I think they look better. After riding the s40, I'm wondering if I want to swap the bars out at all. Maybe this is why one person on this message board suggested that I opt for longer/wider drag bars than the stock ones on the s40. Hmmmm...

I'm interested in hearing some opinions about my observations with regard to the steering.

Decisions decisions,
sn

Title: Re: s40 vs LS650
Post by Savage_Rob on 08/18/06 at 15:30:31

Everyone has different tastes. You gotta go with what feels right to you. My previous suggestion/caution only concerned the placement of the brake line on some later model master cylinders with regard to the shorter flat bars on the early models. I just wanted to be sure you took a look at the thing before you assumed you could easily swap it out. The newer S40 bars may actually be different from the early flats and a swap may be quite simple; I just don't know. I definitely like wider bars better, but that's a personal preference.

Title: Re: s40 vs LS650
Post by 911radioman on 08/18/06 at 16:15:37

I happen to like my buckhorns quite well, but to each his own.

Title: Re: s40 vs LS650
Post by Dynobob on 08/18/06 at 18:08:44

I too like my buckhorns. My '03 LS650 handles and steers great :)

Title: Re: s40 vs LS650
Post by babbalou on 08/18/06 at 18:24:24

I liked the looks of the drag bars on my S40 but they felt too narrow & high for me so I put on Sportster bars & removed the risers. Feels roomier for me now. Yeah, the fork rake took some getting used to for me. It's 35 degrees, about 8-10 more than my past bikes.

Title: Re: s40 vs LS650
Post by PerrydaSavage on 08/19/06 at 02:09:38

I own an '03 Savage with the buckhorn bars and recently had an opportunity to Ride an '05 S40 with the drag/riser combo and would have to say that I liked the comfort and riding posture of the S40 much better (I'm 5'-5", 130lbs w 30" inseam) than my Savage ... found that the S40's setup seemed to give it crisper handling ... put that down to the fact that with the drags, my elbows weren't tucked in as much, giving me better leverage and control ... I've since rotated my buckhorn's forward, raising the grips by about an inch or so and it has made a world of difference! My Savage is now much more comfortable to Ride and it handles almost as well as the S40!
Also, with the bucks rotated forward, the rise of the bars doesn't follow the line of the front end anymore ... giving the scoot a bit of the "Easy Rider" look! LOL!!
Still, I think the S40's drag/riser combo is a better, cleaner look ...

Title: Re: s40 vs LS650
Post by georgekathe on 08/19/06 at 18:13:31

I have a '96 - came with buck horns. I replaced them with almost flat bars - no risers - a little under 31" wide.

I like leaning forward a bit while I ride, but seeing all the Harley Riders leaning back makes me think they can't all be wrong so can see how others on Savages would prefer buckhorns.

Depending on price & your wallet - buy the drag bars & if you don't like them change back. I had to make no changes to my cables/brake line/wiring when I changed & doubt if you will either.

George :o

Title: Re: s40 vs LS650
Post by Trippah on 08/19/06 at 18:36:32

i use the buckhorns, since i use a windshield; think if you don't use a windshield, the slightly forward lean of the flat bars a la sport bike position makes sense. Good luck with your choice.

Title: Re: s40 vs LS650
Post by JerryAssburger on 08/19/06 at 22:56:38

One of the things I love about my bike is that its like sitting at the dinner table. Those buckhorns are like holding a knife and a fork..... Let's eat!

Title: Re: s40 vs LS650
Post by Savage_Rob on 08/20/06 at 11:57:15

I don't care for a forward-leaning posture personally. With the 36" bars and the pullback risers, it's not forward-leaning at all. With the raised shocks, it's generally an upright position, which I like. If I'd gone for shocks less than the 12.5", it'd be backward-leaning. I think it's having my arms positioned slightly wider that I like best. Though the buckhorns are fairly comfortable, I always felt like my elbows were tucked in too much. Riding in hot weather is definitely better without my arms tucked into my sides.