Lesson #1:
There is a section on the forum called Technical Reference/Documents. Check it out cuz it will help in some of your problems.
In fact... here is a link to the 2002 Savage manual thread...
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1138554254 Lesson #2:
If you have a loose connector, fix that first. If you aren't sure, start wiggling some wires and see what you find. Kinda sux, but it's a free fix.
Lesson #3:
I have no idea if it will cause sputtering in only lower gears. May be something other than a loose connection.
Lesson #4:
Quote:Before I got a new battery not too long ago i had to "pop" start mine every morning before work...... If you put it into 2 nd gear and then push it backwards until you reach top dead center it makes it alot easier to start... I think there were a few threads about this before.
Start with that... make sure the bike ignition is "on", hold the clutch and push away till it's fast enough... pop the clutch and hang on.