For those with experience riding other bikes, how does the Savage compare with other bikes in handling characteristics such as overall stability and dealing with back road curves.

I've had 83 bikes.

The Savage is a good lightweight bike. You'll get blown around a bit on the superslab. Once you get to the twisties, it might wallow a bit, but it tracks like it is on rails.

Mine runs 15 inch rise apehangers, a cut down solo seat, and stock rear shocks. Handles great, still rides like crap. Needs to be hardtailed.

In a nutshell, it handles beautifully, but the supension is pathetic. And easily fixed (struts, bolt on hardtail, or better rear shocks and heavier fork oil).
-WD

jaeger wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:07:

The only source I know of is Hagon. You can find them scrolling down this link:http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/FS_Apps_list.htm
Progressive doesn't have the LS650 listed but if you know the right size, length, stiffness etc, some of theirs might fit. I've got stock springs so I can't say how these would work out.

vroom1776 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:07:


I think it was suggested by WD, though I don't disagree.  I went the easier route of upgrading the shocks.  Since I used 12.5" shocks, it raised the rear noticeably but I've come to like it that way.  If you want to retain the lower rear, struts would likely be best though 11" Progressives would probably not raise it all that much.

i consider the savage a good "neutral" handling bike, it doesn't corner like a "cafe racer/sport bike" and it doesn't tour like a full size "bagger", but it fits very comfortably in the middle. it has good manners, in that it doesn't oversteer or understeer, the long rake on the forks gives it good straight line stability. a very good compromise, middle of the road bike. i've only ridden something less than 10 different bikes over the last 30+ years of riding, so i'm probably less qualified than others to speak, but that is my $.02

babbalou wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:07:


Bingo!  That's what I needed!  Thank you very very much!

--Jaeger

--Jaeger

WD wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:08:


Now see here ... I know you have been out back behind the dumpster again.  Every time you go out there you come back with some wild idea to modify it yet again.  It is really a shame that we are on opposite sides of this big block, if we could get together surely some good ideas would result from it.  
Years and years and years  back I had a friend who was called "Dandy Dan".  Don't get me wrong here, he was in no way "dandy", somewhere along the line he got stuck with the name in spite of himself.  In some ways you remind me of him, you even look a bit like him.   He was basically a creative thinker mechanically... made all sorts of things work when mere mortals thought they were dead.  Back in those days we had several dumpsters  scattered about the countryside from which we could launch our raids into civilization.  

i'm envious! how can it get any better? you get paid to play with bikes, have a huge parts source, and a creative nature! life's good!