"lucky" there I guess - I ride a round trip 60-80 mile comute 3 or 4 days a week - plenty of solo time for sure - then the ocean side fishing shack is right on 100 miles each way from the house that we try to get down to most weekends - works out to every other - so I'm looking for the savage fleet for transport there but we're going slow for now - 200 mile weekend ride doesn't seem like much but if your new it's enough to get a case of monkey but-t for sure.

Did the seat lift mod lastnite, up the main jet to a 150 and pulled the mixture plug - after market pipe and wind screen real soon - the fun has begun!

PerrydaSavage wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:


I would like to be able to ride to Solvang for an overnighter with the wife -- but I can't justify riding when there's an empty seat in her Volkswagen.   She's not gotten on the pillion, but she doesn't want me to remove it.  She says she wants to learn to ride but she wants to practice a bit before the MSF course; except the Savage is too small.  Doesn't want to look at bikes until she has a license.

Red_Wine wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:


The MSF is a private organization, santioned by certain states to provide motorcycle training.  They are not a real government organization...and not available in all states either.  The comparable group here in Oregon, is called Team Oregon, but I'm sure their program is similar.

Since we just moved, I think that I know where our MSF course material is for the classes that we took, but I'm not sure.  I may be able to get you some of that documentation if you really want it...if I can find it

Tell your hubby to hunt for an XS series Yamaha. They made them in 400, 650, 750, 850 veritcal twins, and at least 1100cc inline 4 cylinder styles. Think vintage British twins like the real Triumph Bonneville (not the modern pseudo-bike). They were known by the trade name " Special". The 650 twin will walk all over a Savage, and could be had with spoke or cast wheels, mechanical drum or hydraulic disc rear brakes.We've got a 650 Midnight Special Heritage at work right now for under a grand. Not bad for one of the best vertical twins ever made.

Like the Savage, the XS series are good starter/re-entry/skilled rider machines. ANYONE can ride one. IF they buy a 750 or smaller, the big ones are best left to hot-rodders or chopper folks, they are flat out MEAN.

If he is just starting out, DO NOT let him buy an older HD, BMW, or 4 cylinder motorcycle. Good bikes for someone who likes turning wrenches more than throttles.
-WD

If he likes the Savage, he could always pick one up cheap. Brand new they are only going for around $4200. But if he likes to tinker, as in tear things to pieces and take forever to put them back together (hmm, I resemble that remark) get him something else. If he wants to ride, and do cosmetic type tinkering, a Savage, Ascot, older Nighthawk, Yammerhammer Special, or related would be ideal.

My wife says to go for it. She loves her Intruder (I loathe her Intruder). She also says to keep in mind that a stock Intruder 800 weighs close to 500 pounds, and is considerably more top heavy than a Savage. Does handle better though. She put about 5000 miles or so on hers. We bought it in 99, tabs expired in 2001, hasn't been ridden much since.
-WD