Time to move up from my starter bike and have whittled the list down to an S40 and ... um ... something else.

Or so I thought.

After perusing this board for a few days, I'm not so sure that the S40 would be a good choice *for me*.

First thing that caught my eye was the bit about having to remove to seat to do most any maintenance (and how that in itself is kind of a hassle, very easy to strip the bolts, etc.).

Then, today, it was the oil leak/plug cap thing and, even worse, the having to remove the gas tank just to replace the spark plug thing (that doesn't make much sense to me that it would be designed like that in the first place).

Now, when I say *for me*, I mean that I'm mechanically-challenged, having neither the experience (or tools) to do much more than change the oil.

Add to that, that the closet authorized dealers are 25-50 miles away (and the dealer with the best OTD price, by several hundred $, is 122 miles), you can begin to see my trepidation. Sure there are some some local shops, one which I've used but wouldn't trust to do more than change tires or oil, and others of unknown reputation; one has been recommended by a co-worker but, again, is a good 30 minute drive away.

I'm interested in the S40 because it had a tad more oomph and a tad more weight (it can get very windy here) than the other model I'm considering, plus it has the belt drive. And I've been enamored with this bike ever since I sat on a beautiful dark British racing green 2000 model on a showroom floor back in 2001 - it just felt ... "nice".

By contrast, the other model I'm looking at has a reputation for being "bullet-proof" and much easier and simpler to service, even for someone like me, should I want to get started in with that.

I'd be interested in hearing your opinions on this aspect of S40 ownership.

Ther's a couple of ways to enjoy these bikes. The first, buy it, ride it, basic maintenance. Don't treat it too rough & it is very cool to own. Good mileage, decent Oooomph, & it looks good & is low & easy to ride.

NEXT! Piddle with it, Make it yours. Experiment some, but, with some guidance. (Smart guys here, saved my tail) This means you will be pulling the tank & messing around. You will need to pull the tank to do basic maintenance. Namely, adjust the valves. Once you've seen it, it's cake. I don't really like doing things, especially things that , if done wrong can cause problems, without SOME idea how to do it.So, I paid a mechanic to do the valves & now I do it myself. Actually, he just told me how, cuz he did it real early i the AM before I got there.

Tell me what you are considering buying other than the Suzuki. You have to get what you are most comfortable with.


I ride the dog outta my Suzuki & I don't have any leaks or clatters in the engine. The plug they are talking about leaking is something that is supposed to be pulled at about 600 miles & the heads retorqued. I didn't do it & I have over 13000 miles on it. IF ya pull it, there's a way to reinsatll the NEW one that will keep it from leaking. Some mechanics are just sloppy & they allow leaks sometimes.
If you ever wanted to get better with wrenches, here's your chance. I think ANY bike offers that,

I hope this helps some. Consider this. The matket is still there for Suzuki & this is about a 20 year old design. IF it still sells & the design is unchanged, aparently the public likes the bike so well they buy it, warts & all, cuz overall, it's a heck of a deal. If it was a lousy machine to own it would have been out of production long ago.The competition in Motorcycle production is too steep to allow for crummy machines to stay on the showroom floor. BUy a used one & see if ya don't love it. New bikes devaluate immediately, just like cars. I bought mine new,Once I found this site I wish I hadn't.There are some really nice bikes for sale right here every so often.
Good luck, whatever you choose.

Well, I didn't mention the name of the other bike because I'd just read the PG, which said to only talk about Savages. But I see there's other posts (and one very analogous to this one (once I name that other bike) a couple down from mine.  lol

Ya, the other bike I'm looking at is a Rebel, a shiny, new red "07 (S40 would have to be the '07 in blue, hands down).

My current ride is an'81 Honda CM200T that I've had for 1 1/2 yrs now (purchased after my 80cc Elite was stolen after 4 years use). It has an oil leak and the seat is thrashed, but it runs pretty decent. I use it to get to work and back, 1 mile each way, and short errands around town (no car, btw).

I plan to keep this one and start practicing on doing my own maint, with it as the guinea pig; better if I screw something up that one, while learning, than the shiny new bike.

Some of the pro and cons I've been weighing:

- the Rebel is basically just a newer version of my current ride This qualifies as both a pro and con - pro, in that I like it, I'm comfortable on/with it, etc; con, in that if I'm going to get a new bike, I maybe want to step up just a bit rather than getting basically the same thing.

- I'd like to start thinking of using it a bit more than just work commuter/errand hopper. The Rebel could certainly do this, the S40 could do this a little more so.

As you point out, some problems can be caused by sloppy mechanics; with the somewhat limited selection here, I'd be a little concerned that one such could do more damage to an S40 than to a Rebel. I think I would also feel more comfortable trying to do some maint on the Rebel than the S40, judging from some of the detailed posts/pics I've seen here (the plug seal and swinging spark plug cover, for example).

So, I'm torn between these 2 bikes. If I lived in a big city where there was a wider selection of repair options, I wouldn't hesitate to get the S40.

One thing I did want to ask about - I find the riding position on the 200T very comfortable, with the pull-back handlebar and the pedals straight down (very similar to my scooter riding position). Would I find the more forward pedals on the S40much of a change and/or uncomfortable? The Rebel has the the same straight down pedals, but I understand the handlebar is changed and not quite as pulled back as before; some say not as comfortable to them.

I'll be able to judge better for myself when I can get a chance to try them out for myself, but that will have to wait until I can get a friend to drive me in to the nearest dealers.

I'd get the rebel since your already used to the feel of small bikes.  There's a ton of aftermarket stuff for it to make it yours (read bolt on).  From the two wheel vehicles you've mentioned, the Rebel fits into that type of small bike catagory.

Have you looked at the Burgman or similar bigger scooters?  Helix?

Don't get me wrong, love my Savage.   It's peppy!

- Roadie

First off, let me say that I am a mechanical moron!

And I have owned a Rebel and currently own an '03 Savage ... loved the Rebel ... very nice little Bike! Essentially bulletproof and easy to handle ... big plus is that it literally sips fuel!
Sold the Reb and bought the LS ... was looking for a small Rebel-like Bike with more punch ... and seeing as the CMX450 Rebel is no  longer in production, the Savage fit that bill TOTALLY! I am completely 110% in love with my Savage!! And yes, I literally have to beat people away from it at local Bike Nite!

Now back to the "mechanical moron" part ... when I got into Bikes, I hardly knew which end of a wrench was which ... but figured, if I was gonna Ride and not pay thru the nose for every little bit of maintenance, then I'd better start learnin'!
So, depite generally being scared sh!tless of screwing stuff up, I took the bull by the horns (or Bike by the bars!), read as much as I could (this website is an awesome resource!) and bought Clymer manuals ... am still a mech. moron, but here's some of the stuff I've done so far (and if I can do it then anyone can believe me!);

Rebel - change oil & filter, adjust clutch, replace spark plugs and remove/reinstall battery, remove/reinstall front wheel, clean, adjust & lube drive chain.

Savage - change oil & filter, adjust clutch, remove/reinstall gas tank, remove/reinstall petc0ck, replace spark plug, replace front brake pads, remove/reinstall battery, adjust handlebars, jurry-rig repair to clutch lever housing which I busted when adjusting handlebars   ... repair works great BTW!  

All Bikes have their maintenance quirks no matter what you buy ... best of luck with your ultimate choice!

I just love this bike and i have owned a lot of bikes pretty much bullet proof. I also love to mess with it and make it my own.   that is all   john

My 96 has the pull-back (buckhorn) handle bars and it only cost me $1800 bucks w/6000miles and new Dunlops on it. I've had it 15 months, racked up 8000 more miles (12 miles to work) and it has never stranded me. I've modded/replaced a few parts, (peg & mirror oops, shift rod, battery, muffler, bags, fork brace) and done some maint (oil, oil filter, air filter). I have some new jets to put in, and I should take off the tank for the first time and adj. the valves and look at the spark plug, but it's so darn fun to ride - I just can't stay off it long enough to work on it.

Oh, yeah, it leaks a little, but of all the vehicles I've had since I started driving in '62 have leaked except one! ('94 2.7L 4 cyl T100 Toyota w/ 130,000 miles - I still have it - It has a very similar power curve to my bike. LS650 is 94x94 bore/stroke, T100 is 95x95 bore/stroke)

If you can change the oil and filter on this bike then you have got enough mechanical ability to own it. The Rebel is NOT a step up from where you are the Rebel is on the same plane. If "bulletproof" describes the Rebel then "Bullet resistant" describes the S40. You can't buy a better bike new for the money.