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Message started by derbro on 01/31/11 at 20:56:35

Title: my first motorcycle?
Post by derbro on 01/31/11 at 20:56:35

hi my name is derek and i am new to the riding experience, in the motorcycle aspect anyway. I have been looking all over everywhere for bikes in my price range for about a month solid. a friend of mine at work has a 87' savage for sale. really the bike is beautiful. new custom paint job done in house. they claim that alot of engine work has been done to the bike and it has basically been rebuilt. i haven't seen any records yet, but they are good people and i feel i can trust them. the bike has 14,xxx miles, they are asking 1,500 firm i believe. i have some pics i can post up. any input is apriciated. oh and explain to me how to post up pics thanks.

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by Serowbot on 01/31/11 at 22:11:03

Hi Derek,.. welcome...
We all like the Savage, of course, and it's not a bad starter bike. It's also not a bad bike for old timers too...
It's a cheap, simple, reliable, machine, with plenty of personality.
An 87' is an old one, but 14k miles is not a lot. If you think it's been well taken care of, go for it.

Now, you be careful learning to ride,... okay?...

Shiny side up,... rubber side down... ;)...
Serow

PS... To post pics, you have to put them on a host site, like Bikepics, or Photobucket, (they are free),... then link them in your post here...

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by LostArtist on 01/31/11 at 22:23:00

for an 87 that has been rebuilt. . . I don't know about $1500, but I don't know the guys and 14k miles isn't bad. some other guys here can tell you more about what to check over, I love custom paint jobs, but they aren't the most important thing on a bike.

as far as learning to ride, take a course if you can, be safe, the savage is a great starter bike, enough umph to get you going and light enough to make you feel comfortable.

rubber side down!

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by verslagen1 on 01/31/11 at 22:45:28

$1500 is high for an '87 normally, maybe not for a rebuilt.
I'd sure hate to learn on a beautiful bike though.
That 1st scratch will be a killer.

What's your local?

for $1500 you should be able to get a 2000 or better.

Also, I'd be concerned why they rebuilt it. There's a couple of things which if ignored will bite you in the a$$. Cam chain and the starter. 14k is too early for an '87 but my guess is the starter. If the engine kicks back on shutdown the one way clutch will jam the starter and bust out the mounts.

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by Yonuh Adisi FSO on 01/31/11 at 23:00:24

0308120F0E130F0C0F600 wrote:

oh and explain to me how to post up pics thanks.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1240899665

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by Tanker2Biker on 02/01/11 at 01:13:36

I just (yesterday) sold a '97 w/8K for $1200 in Houston. And there was another fellow in central Ohio (I think) that was selling nearly a twin of mine for about the same. They are great bikes, and wonderful for a beginner. lightweight and very forgiving.

+1 on taking the MSF course if it is available, it will give you a lot of great information and some practice.

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by derbro on 02/01/11 at 05:21:39

i work at an aston martin dealership in colorado. everyone i know is a technician or a salesman. i'm pretty savvy on turning a wrench too (i recently replaced the oil pump on my 96' acura gsr). one of the techs i work with races bikes and is part of a racing shop, he has known the owners for years, like i have, and he said that the bike has been well taken care of, and basically rebuilt the engine (rings? cam? valves? what?) i should have more info soon, as well as pics. i think imma go for it. and yes i've already looked into enrollment in a riders safwty/beginners course, new helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, oh and insurance. thanks again guys, you'll probably be seeing alot of me in the future.

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by Bubba on 02/01/11 at 08:43:24

Hey Derek, I live in Denver. I've been working on a '97 that I picked up for 500. It had some problems. At 1500 I'd say you're doing alright but ask them about the cam chain. Come spring I'm going to be selling my second one off once I'm through getting it road worthy.
If you want to you can PM me and I'll walk you through some of the stuff I've done.
P.S. rider school is a good choice...you can mess up thier bike if ya tip... :)

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by james may on 02/01/11 at 11:17:57

Yeah go for the course. If you can ride their bikes you can ride a savage no problem. They usually use standard 250cc bikes like honda nighthawks. That are more top heavy and have a less low end power than the savage. You can do figure 8's inside of a parking space with the savage they're so easy to ride.

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by derbro on 02/01/11 at 12:47:40

thanks everybody.

i'm signing up to take an abate class in march :)

pics coming after work today, i think you guys will be impressed.

need to buy: motorcycle, helmet, jacket, pay for course.

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by derbro on 02/01/11 at 18:31:50

here ya go

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/derbrodatsik/savage%20ls650/tankodo.jpg?t=1296613581, http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/derbrodatsik/savage%20ls650/rightbike.jpg?t=1296613581, http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/derbrodatsik/savage%20ls650/leftbike.jpg?t=1296613581, http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/derbrodatsik/savage%20ls650/fender.jpg?t=1296613581, http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g339/derbrodatsik/savage%20ls650/100_3327.jpg?t=1296613581

i think it's badass and if i can't talk them down from 1500 i might not lose sleep over it.

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by 2whlthrpy on 02/01/11 at 20:43:02

Just my 2 cents but you should do some searching for used savages/s40 in your area to get a good idea of what you could get for 1500. I just bought a 2007 s40 with 2700 miles in perfect condition for $2200. It came with bags, shield and engine guard. Of course that is in Florida but you should be able to get a newer bike with less miles for the same price or slightly more.

ps Try craigslist if you havent already. Thats where i found mine.

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by derbro on 02/02/11 at 04:52:02

this is my first bike, i've been looking at bikes cheaper than this, and a few right at this price that are all garbage compared to this. 1500 is alot of money for me, plus i still gotta buy gear. plus everyone on craiglist is a stranger, i've known these guys for years. maybe i could find something better/cheaper, but i think imma get this one.

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by babyhog on 02/02/11 at 05:18:10

Great looking bike. Sometimes you just gotta go with your gut! It does look pretty good for an '87, but its still an old bike, so be careful. (I'm tend to be Mother Hen, so I hope you don't take offense). My almost-20 year old son rides an '87 also, but its been hacked almost to death. lol

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by derbro on 02/02/11 at 07:13:27

More pics/posts later to come. Thank you everybody for the input.

1987=the greatest year ever

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by Bubba on 02/02/11 at 07:16:07

If you trust the guys selling it I'd go ahead and get it but talk 'em down to 1200 and tell them ya gotta get gear, license, insurance etc.. etc...
Have you test ridden it...or at the very least started it up and listened to it?
P.S. my '06 cost me 1900.00 and looks brand new! But I took my time and shopped a lot (for only S40's)...almost drove to Co Springs for one but the '06 just appeared on CL and I bought it.

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by derbro on 02/02/11 at 07:38:18

No. I haven't seen it in person yet. And I'm just learning how to ride so I probably won't ride it till after I complete the course. Everybody says a newer bike would be better but I'm confident in this one. I plan to try and negotiate but I also want these people to get paid too. Thanks again to everyone this site reminds me of clubintegta.com very friendly and helpful

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 02/02/11 at 09:14:05

My only concerns with buying a 1987 would be the starter gear & the timing chain adjuster. Might see if you can get them to do the starter gear mod & check the tensioner; then it would be worth the $1500. :)

My 87 went 35,000 miles before it broke the starter mount. The timing chain was still OK. I think the early bikes had better chains. :P

I've had a 1987, 2000, & still have a 2001. I prefer the 4 speed model because the way they geared the 5 speeds it's just an extra shift with no real benefit. 8-)

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by 2whlthrpy on 02/02/11 at 19:01:12

It is a good looking bike and knowing the history has value. It sounds like you already did your research....thats all I was trying to suggest anyway. Welcome to the club by the way. You will not regret it.
8-)

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by Wake51 on 02/03/11 at 01:49:49

It is a gorgeous bike man! You just have to be conscious of getting eager trigger fingers when it comes to your first bike. I know I almost did, as I looked at a lot of bikes I wanted to buy before I found my girl.

As for a learner bike, I'm one season in to the sport but coming from someone who has ridden bicycles in his youth and dirtbikes briefly, the savage is grand. Lightweight and you can put both feet down confidently. Not to mention I can out accelerate my friends V Star and he has been riding for several years :D

Remember to leave enough money for proper gear and the safety course. Be safe out there! The Savage is an amazing bike all around and will treat you well if you choose her.

-Coming From a First Season Rookie Of Course..

-Wake

Title: Re: my first motorcycle?
Post by derbro on 02/03/11 at 04:45:31

thanks again everyone. i already bought a used jacket, shopping around for new helmet. i'm going to take the class before i buy the bike. and trust me safe is my middle name, moving 300,000 dollar 500 horsepower super cars on a sheet of ice in -10 weather is all about being safe lol.