I think in 4 years I have started out from a dead stop on my savage in first gear maybe twice. I always use second gear. Its low enough it dosn't bog down on starts and it accerates much quicker.  Is there some reason this isnt good for the tranny? I think I read somewhere in here long ago that it wasnt advised, but I cant remember why? Any help?
Also I seem to use my brakes as much as anyone but I have just passed 26,000 miles on the original  brake set.  I bought it new in 02. The dealer said the front was ready for a change but the rear still had some wear. How can this be?  I read where some in here have changed in as little as 9,000 miles. I dont do much city riding but still, isnt that a bit abnormal for this bike?

stinger wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:
I don't think there would be a problem with the transmission, you may wear the clutch out if you have to slip it to get going, but my question is this:  don't you like shifting through all the gears?  I wish it had 10 gear with close ratios so i could just shift and shift and shift. i love to shift.   john
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stinger wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:



As other's have mentioned, you will wear the clutch faster by taking off in second gear. If you are "accelerating" much quicker, it must be due to slipping the clutch, because it is not possible for a higher geared machine to launch as quick as a lower geared machine unless the clutch is slipped A LOT. that is why drag bikes and cars have very low gearing for the launch.

Here is how the transmission gearing stacks up between the Savage 4-speed (80s) models, and the 95 and on models:

Ratio -   4-speed   5-speed
-----------------------------------------------------
1st gear    2.214 ----- 2.333
2nd gear   1.500 ----- 1.578  
3rd gear    1.095 ----- 1.142
4th gear    0.875 ----- 0.956
5th gear   __________0.884

Now here is my subjective opinion:

I have the 4-speed model, and I WISH I had your slightly lower first gear for quick starts!

Your second is slightly lower than mine, and maybe that is what makes you comfortable starting in it with your 5-speed. I would not subject my clutch to the slippage from starting in second gear on my 4-speed.

I've stated before that the Savage has such a wide torque band that it only NEEDS 3-gears, and I believe that I could ride quite well with 3 wide ratio gears, but I'd want them to be like the low first in the 5-speed and a second gear somewher between the existing seconds and thirds (maybe 1.25?)  for high gear, I'd want something higher than either existing transmission like a .75 (?)  that would grunt along at 65mph at  an RPM that would just allow accelleration for easy passing.  (My ratio numbers are just guesses thrown out there as examples, I didn't "do the math.")

OTOH, as someone else suggested, an ideal would be to have MORE gears. I think 6 in close ratio would be plenty. A serious low first for digging out. An "all she can handle" OD for sixth, and evenly spread gears between for general purpose. And you then you don't have to use them ALL. If you want to take off at a moderate rate; start in second. If you never go over 55; never use sixth. If you like to short-shift, just skip gears between as needed.

As far as your brakes wearing slowly: The front does bear the brunt of the load if used properly. And if yours seem to be lasting longer than you think other people's, you must be using them easier than you think.

For instance, though I ride my bikes hard, I drive my autos to the speed limits, but VERY smoothly on both accelleration and braking. My maintenence on the cars/trucks is probably far less than people who stomp the gas, tailgate, ride the brakes, and barely stop in time at red lights. As the man says YMMV  

transmission input shaft (engine) turns 2.214 times
transmission output shaft (drive pulley) turns 1 time
.956, .884, .875, represent overdrive gear ratios.

Yea, actually, not a prollum, Just had ni idea what was being measured. Once identified, it's easy. I've been a mechanic & body man & roughneck & fixed copiers & cash registers, so taking things apart & LEAVING them apart is no problem for me,, he he he,,Thanks for the rundown,

Wow, you start in second gear only? The problem is you will get more clutch wear. That's a major tear down issue for a motorcycle.
I always blastoff in first gear up to 35mph. Second gear is still strong from there up to 55mph. Third gear will take you to 75mph strongly.
Now, I wear out rear tires fairly fast, but this is a much easier repair than a clutch replacement.

Stock front brake was shot at 5,000 miles. It was also wearing at a slope, so that took one edge down quickly. Oddly, it was the leading edge that wore down. Seems the rear edge would be the one to go first if it was gonna be uneven, since the rotor would tend to drag it into the rotor & spread at the front, closing tighter at the rear.Anyway, with almost 9,000 on the EBC front now on it, I thinko it's starting to stop better. That or I am turnin into POpeye.The rear brake, with the surface area seriously diminished, stops so much better I am tickled,, How long will it last? I dunno, but quality is so improved I really don't mind if it shortened the life of it.