This comes up fairly frequently with Japanese bikes...

Adjust your clutch cable. 1/32 inch LESS freeplay than the book calls for. It works.

Switch to 20W50 DINO oil. Clutch seems to engage better than with 10W40 dino or syn or blended.

Unless you bought your bike from a guy named Frank who lives in southern California, your mileage is accurate. His is the only 97 model Savage I know of with over 100K miles on it.

Clutch life varies based on maintenance and riding style. I've had HD clutches last 10 years, or 10 minutes. Honda ditto. The harder you "spank" the throttle, the faster the clutch wears, just like side slipping a car clutch.

Do you need a new clutch? Maybe. Does the bike "stink" when you leave the line? If it doesn't your clutch is likely fine. Does the bike "stutter or chatter" really bad when you crack the throttle?  No-clutch is okay, yes-clutch is likely nearing the end of its service life.
-WD

It happened to me 3 times on bikes below 15K mi , but all of these were 86-88 model , so I thought the main reason is the bigger step between the gears. I changed the plates and put preload on the springs / wasners/ , and everything was OK.
May be WD is right, but from my expirience "it is too good to be truth".
To check the clutch plates You have to do all the work like changing the plates. Better get Yourself a new clutch cover gasket, new friction plates and if You can get stronger springs it will be awesome or if not- just be prepared to go to the hardwear store for couple of washers. Change the plates, put the recommended oil, adjust the free play , and be a happy camper.

Does the biek top out at 65 or so? If so, you may check the cam tensioner.