SuzukiSavage.com - ok, you guys are scaring me

Ed L.

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #15 - 01/06/07 at 10:40:21

Of course I'd say get the S40, don't worry about the oil leak, Suzuki fixed that in 2002 so it is a non issue for anything newer. The only modification that might be needed to a new S40 would be the seat lift and that only if it is uncomfortable for you to ride. Beside that it is buy and ride for you. Maintance is pretty simple, just oil changes, I've almost 5,000 miles on my spark plug and havent noticed any decrease in performance so it doesn't seem that plug life is an issue either. Just because a lot of the riders on this board have tweeked thier bikes it doesn't mean it is needed, we just love wrenching on the big single to see what it can do. Can't help with the Rebel, never had the chance to own one so can't give you any comparision between the two.

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Silver '02, clubman handle bars, Cobra headlight, Sportster muffler, K+N stock air filter, 152.5 main, Superbrace, oil cooler, 1/2 inch aluminium plate forward controls, spark advance, goes like stink

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r80rt Ex Member	Re: ok, you guys are scaring me Reply #16 - 01/06/07 at 11:44:00 My wife sold her GZ250 and got a S40, she's never been happier, she's 4'10 and 90 lbs and says the 250 ain't enough bike.
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georgekathe

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #17 - 01/06/07 at 13:20:11

I think the Savage is a great bike to ride/own. like others have said, no need to mess with it. wouldn't get new one & lose lots on depreciation - just one a year or so old in excellent condition. agree I'd rather not have forward pegs (don't go with the almost flat bars I installed & the way I prefer to sit & ride but can't have everything), but that is just my style.

really maintenance should be minimal - just regular oil & filter changes (I happen to change both @ 1000 miles as I don't ride too much now & as it is a small filter & bike is a 96 want to ensure it is doing a good job.

don't have to tinker with it (to be honest wish I'd not changed the muffler as could do with less noise & I get a slight pop on deceleration I never got before I just can't lose. however, when I changed oem muffler was almost welded to header so had to mangle it to get it off so can't put back on!)

so, don't be put off by what is said on the site - thgink like everyone - all bikes have quirks but think some of trouble (mine included) we on site have with our own steeds is our love for tinkering.

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free_fall Ex Member	Re: ok, you guys are scaring me Reply #18 - 01/06/07 at 19:34:42 Thanks for all the thoughtful and encouraging replies; I feel more reassured now. The real test, of course, will come when I can get a chance to try out both bikes for myself, hopefully within the next couple of months or so.
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georgekathe Ex Member	Re: ok, you guys are scaring me Reply #19 - 01/06/07 at 22:13:34 Like to hear what you decide to get in the end! Happy riding, whatever it is!
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Paladin.

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #20 - 01/07/07 at 08:13:24

free_fall wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:

The real test, of course, will come when I can get a chance to try out both bikes for myself, hopefully within the next couple of months or so.

Where in SoCal are you? I need a good excuse for a ride and am willing to swap a ride on Thumper for lunch. (Of course it'll have to wait 'til this deep freeze eases up.)

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Savage_Greg

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #21 - 01/07/07 at 08:38:06

r80rt wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:

My wife sold her GZ250 and got a S40, she's never been happier, she's 4'10 and 90 lbs and says the 250 ain't enough bike.

My spouse did the same thing. The GZ250 is a good little bike, but no top end. You go through the gears so fast, and then there you are going 40 and waiting...

One thing about the 2000 model was a really great seat...they changed them a couple years later. I also liked the flip up seat to access the tools or lock the helmet. Those were 2 options that would have been nice on the Savage.

Anyway, after a year of that little 250, she traded for a 650.

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Phelonius

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #22 - 01/08/07 at 10:41:21

Buying a motorcycle is a bit like buying a new pair of shoes. It does not matter how pretty they are if they do not fit the wearer or are not designed to do the things the wearer wants to do.
If you get one that does not do what you want or fit you properly, you will not be happy with it. That is why you should never buy one without a trial ride first.
Asking questions about maintainence is a good start, your OK there cause you are asking owners who have no vested proffit interest in what you purchase.
However, nothing beats experience. If you can,t get a trial ride from the dealer, do not expect to be able to trust him for maintainence questions either.
If you have a friend who will allow you a ride on the machine of choice, that is best since you will not feel pressured to buy from an aggressive salesperson.
As for mechanically challenged persons, remember that like any new thing, it is possible to learn and not that difficult if all you want is to be able to care for your own machine.

Phelonius

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Phelonius

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necropsy

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #23 - 01/10/07 at 06:56:23

I, like Perrydasavage started out on a Rebel 250. Great LITTLE bike to start out on. Rode it for a little over a year, made the trip down to Port Dover on it, and when I got back, I knew I needed a bigger bike. Bought an S40, because that's what I originally wanted, and haven't regretted it one bit. The foot pegs are only a little more forward on the LS650, barely even noticable. The power of the LS650 is above and beyond what the Rebel outputs, and I would NOT take the Rebel out on the highway. The Savage requires less maintenance than the Rebel, and is actually easier to work on considering that everything is single and less cramped. The only thing I can think of where the Rebel actually is better than the LS650, is gas mileage. Rebel got 72 MPG and the LS650 gets about 50 MPG. A new Rebel Vs. a new LS650 cost wise, is only a couple hundred dollars.
Advice from someone who's been there:
Get the LS650/S40/Savage !!

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Music calms the SAVAGE beast

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Kropatchek Serious Thumper Offline Why more than 1 cylinder? Posts: 1457 Alphen a/d Rijn Netherlands Gender:	Re: ok, you guys are scaring me Reply #24 - 01/10/07 at 07:12:40 necropsy wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01: Get the LS650/S40/Savage !! http://w1.bikepics.com/pics/2005/12/14/bikepics-483045-full.jpg AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Greetz Kropatchek
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free_fall

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #25 - 01/10/07 at 10:44:09

As I'll be paying cash, I could theoretically buy the Rebel tomorrow, while the S40 would still be 7-8 paychecks away. So, much as I might want it NOW!, I'm a-going to take it slow. Build a solid foundation by talking to you guys & the guys on the Rebel boards, spend a little money in the meantime on my current ride, take the MSF (when it warms up a bit), etc. - all leading up to those all-important test rides.

Which bike is more comfortable to ride will be the determining factor, of course; however, I realize that the other side of the equation - how comfortable I am as a rider - is equally important.

So, while the S40 has the advantage of being more freeway-capable than the Rebel, that has to be balanced by how comfortable I would feel taking it (or any bike) on the freeway, which at this point would be nada, zip, zero. I look at the S40 in this regard a bit of future-proofing on my part (tho, again, the Rebel should be adequate for whatever little bits of freeway driving I might envision, say from where the freeway feeder road ends to where it starts back up again lol).

I feel fairly comfy doing 50 on the main roads here; the thought of going 65 in the slow lane of the interstate with semis in front of and behind me kinda gives me the willies.

Thanks for the pic, Necropsy - doesn't help much, tho, cause they're both good-looking bikes ... ok, ok, the S40's a little better looking. lol

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justin_o_guy

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #26 - 01/10/07 at 11:31:41

Since you've been riding already you have some experience. Here's my bet. If you go with the Honda you will be wishing you hadn't in a very short time. The additional performance of the Suzuki is big. It's not scary stuff. It can't wheelie out from under ya. It won't hit the power band & be at the end of your arms & can't roll off the throttle. ( I had that happen on a GS 1100 & skeert the hekkoutta me) The Zuki is low at the seat. I was very weak when I got mine, after an extended illness. I was much weaker than I though & very wobbly. I should not have gotten a bike. BUT, it is so well mannered & easily managed I never dropped it. The low CG is important to confidence. I felt safer on it than any bike I ever tossed a leg across. Not that I have that much experience, but enough to see the value in the design of the Zuki. Once the confidence built up ( & the warranty was over) & I had found this place I decided to mess with it. I am having great fun piddling & getting better performance out of it. I have tanked my mileage but for now I dont care. I may put it back closer to stock later after I get some of the "Need for speed" outta my system. Whatever, but about you & your needs. How tall are you? What do you weigh? There are some very small women who ride the Zuki. There is at least one who weighs less than 100 pounds here. I think she is 4'9" or so. If someone of that stature can handle this machine that should give ya a good feeling about your own ability. I would consider the weight difference between the Honda & the Zuki, Consider their respective seat heights. A heavier machine with a lower seat can feel lighter than the lighter machine.CG is a big factor. The Zuki has low ground clearance. It's easy to drag a peg. I haven't ridden the Honda & have no frame of reference.
One factor I looked at that made me happy with the choice I made was the fact that this thing has enough SQUIRT that if I mess up & pull out in front of something it will get on poutta the way pretty well.. I don't think the Honda accelerates with too much gusto. Yea, that's about all I've got, But, the Zuki is a ton sexier l;ooking. & with a different pipe, it soounds OHHh soo nice..

I hope you are happy with your choice a yaer or two after the decision. I personally believe the Zuki to be the hands down winner unless MPG is very important. Then, the Honda returns such fuel efficiency it would be the winner. BUT, The Ninja 250 delivers BIG MPG & is very easy to manage. I am considering one, cuz it's a fun bike with a long history, Cheap to buy & maintain & easy to ride. Sounds just like another bike to have in the garage.

Oh, I am 5'6 with 30" inseam. I can flatfoot the Ninja & I can stand over the Zuki with a few inches clearance on the seat. Good Luck Free Fall, & I wish you the best.

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geo

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #27 - 01/10/07 at 19:58:42

The Suzuki LS650/S40 is not a service and maintenance problem if you leave it in its stock configuration.

Most of the stuff that is scaring you is owners attempts to get more performance out of their machine. There is a lot of performance that can be gained. That is why this website is successful.

If the stock configuration is adequate for you then you need to do nothing except basic maintenance.

This is not enough for most people, so they want to change the appearance of your machine. Granted there is not much after market stuff for the LS650. People do find a way to personalize their machine.

Next they want to change the performance of their machine.

First it is Muffler.
Second it is air filter.
3. It is re jet the carb.
4. It is saddle bags.
5. It is the wind screen.
6. It is a different seat.
7. On and On.

You need to understand motorcycle owners. Every motorcycle owner tries to tailor his machine to his own taste.

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Black 2002 Savage with SuperTrapp 13 discs, Dynajet Kit-DJ144, K&N drop-in, NGK-Iridium, Windscreen, Amsoil 10w-40, Metzeler ME880's

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Jodicline

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #28 - 01/28/07 at 00:42:01

hello everyone I'm new to this site. My first bike was a used 2002 Honda Rebel in Mint condition. LOVED that bike...still have it its for sale for my husand can get a bigger bike. I just bought a 1995 Savage 650 with 16,000 miles on it. It's in mint condition and my husand did the normal tune up, new plugs, air filter and oil change and re jetted the carb in one day plus took off most of the pipe for the muffler and put a cherry bomb on it. I LOVE THIS BIKE and I'm 5 foot and 90 pounds... This is a perfect step up from the Rebel

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Tammi

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Re: ok, you guys are scaring me
Reply #29 - 01/31/07 at 11:43:21

I don't think I could add to any of the excellent advice already offered here, but I would like to say that if you buy an S40, do the spark plug door modification and you'll never have to take the seat off again to access the spark plug:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1124016763

Cheers. Tammi

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