I routinely do 150-300 miles a day with my Savage.  

Bone stock, I'd have monkey butt within 30 minutes and not be able to sit if I rode more than an hour.

The Progressive Suspension shocks are a GODSEND.  The extra 1/2 of length gives you more piston travel, which will equate to a smoother ride.  The progressive rate springs allow for a push initial setting, but can soak up the bigger bumps in the road no problem.

The second complaint is the seat.  You'd be better off sitting on a peice of plywood covered with a throw pillow than you are with the stock seat.

You have 3 options.  Live with it (your backside WILL get used to it),  replace it with an aftermarket one (The sportster seat is an option, but is marginally better than the stock seat for long distace comfort) or you can have it reupholstered (which is what I chose.)  Find an automotive upholsterer in your area.  Most likely, they will do motorcycle seats as well.

Have them shave approx 3/4 of the original foam off of the pan, reshape the back of the saddle (to create more of a saddle shape. It moves you slightly forward, but relieves the pressure on the lower back and tail bone) and have them add either 1" of memory foam, a 3/4" gel pad, or do like I did and have them add 1/2" of each)

The shocks will set you back about $200.00 (installing them is a DIY job).  Having the seat redone will cost between $175-$300.00 depending on how creative you get, what materials you choose, and what rates the shop charges.

Seriously, those 2 changes will eliminate the two most common complaints about the Savage.  After that, its simply a matter of sitting back and enjoying the ride.

If you don't want to spend much money on it - at least raise the front of the seat - costs about $5 for two longer bolts and two #7 rubber stoppers - this will raise the front about an inch - lines the seat up up better with the tank, keeps you from sliding forward onto the tank, and puts more of you on more of the seat.

Likely need to spend more time on the bike to break in your arse, figure it takes at least 200 hours to numb you up properly

Here's a message thread with a lot of info on how people did their seats.
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1204805991/0

Keith_T wrote on 04/24/08 at 05:50:50:


Keith,

I do 30 miles each way, with a few extra thrown in for lunch-time.  When I got mine last year I was uncomfortable at first, but it certainly got better over time.  Being conscious of my posture helps as well.  Being relaxed helps the most.

I like to sit at the back lip of the seat myself, but the other day I sat forward a bit and suddenly was much more confortable.

I have been planning to try the #7 rubber stopper bit as soon as I get a round tuit.

-Matt

P.S. I put on my driver backrest again the other day, and I really think that once I get the adjustment issue resolved that it will be a huge improvement in comfort.

I did the rubber stop mod because I felt like I was always pushing myself back and off the tank all the time. My legs would be KILLING me after a short ride, now I can ride for hours at a time and not have a problem at all. The rubber stoppers I got at lowe's were in the hardware area in pull out bins. I thought I would just throw that in there because I had no idea where they were.

I bought my 2004 Savage with under 300 miles on it a week ago Saturday.  I took my first long ride...  a little over an hour each way, this past weekend and I understood then what people mean about the seat being uncomfortable after an hour or so.  I could almost have set my watch by my butt!!

Came home by way of Lowe's where I purchased nylong spacers and longer bolts.  I rolled the stack of spacers in shiny aluminum tape before I bolted the bracket back down.  Looks pretty which is important to me.  Haven't had the chance to take a long ride yet, but commuting to and from work and running errands has sure been alot more comfortable.

I'm new here and can't thank all the regular contributors enough for the advice I've gotten from this forum.  I'll post a photo of my bike soon.  It's pretty, I'm proud, and having a LOT of fun.  Stay safe.

Reelthing wrote on 04/24/08 at 06:15:44:

What is the usual application for these 'rubber stoppers'?  I've searched hardware supliers, ebay and everything I can think of and can't find any product even remotely similar to the sort of thing you're describing - where do you get them?