SuzukiSavage.com - 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions

DesertCat

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2014 LS650 - First ride impressions
01/20/20 at 14:06:57

I've sat on a couple of LS650s over the years but never ridden one. This is a first for me . . .

Just completed my first ride on my new (to me) 2014 LS650. It has 2550 miles. Partly cloudy with temps in low 70s. Some wind. I went for a 50-mile ride, almost all back roads. No interstate -- yet. I averaged about 45-55 MPH staying mostly in 4th gear. I got up to 65 MPH once or twice.

- The front end geometry, the cruiser rake, causes the front wheel to fall into low speed corners. Once you get the feel, it can even be helpful in sharp low-speed turns.

- The ride is a bit stiff, not quite harsh, but very firm.

- It launches easily from a stop. I weigh 210 lbs and the clutch/torquey motor are quite capable of smooth easy launches.

- Some vibration at higher RPMs but nothing bad. My mirrors were clear almost all the time.

- Seating position is OK. I'm not a big fan of forward controls but these are OK for me. I'm 6'2" with 34-in inseam and I'm comfortable enough for 100 mile rides.

- Plenty of power. Riding along at 50 MPH in 4th gear, there is plenty of power with a twist of the grip.

- This stock engine/exhaust is very quiet. With my full face helmet on I couldn't hear much of the engine or exhaust when cruising at constant speed. I like quiet, so this is a big plus for me.

(BTW, this is my 63rd motorcycle in 51 years of riding.)

Here's a pic I took just before the ride:

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IMG_1252A.jpg

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ohiomoto Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2825	Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions Reply #1 - 01/20/20 at 19:26:55 Looks great. I love the two-tone paint. Best look the bike ever had IMO. If you find it comfortable for 100 miles then your are one badass!!!
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MMRanch Serious Thumper Offline Evil flourishes if Good Men do Nothing. Posts: 6023 LYNCHBURG TN Gender:	Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions Reply #2 - 01/20/20 at 19:36:00 It sure is a "LOOK-ER"
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IslandRoad

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It doesn't vibrate,
it purrs!

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Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions
Reply #3 - 01/20/20 at 20:06:29

That is a beautiful looking bike!

As for the gears, there's not much you can do in 5th that you can't do in 4th. I think the difference between 4th and 5th is about 200 rpm.

I also found the bike felt like if dropped into a turn, especially at slow speeds. I opted for slightly wider drag bars (31") with a bit less pull back. It gave me more leverage and felt more stable.

It also took pressure off my dodgy shoulder and moved the 'work' to my upper back instead of my shoulders - much more comfortable for me.

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« Last Edit: 01/20/20 at 23:28:44 by IslandRoad »

S40, 2014, Dyna, Raptor, 52.5/152.5, spacer mod, sea level, cat-eye LED tail light, bullet style halogen turn signals, 'Superbars' with custom 40mm risers, modified stock seat, Metzeler tyres.

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jcstokes Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com is very useful Posts: 2142 Mauku New Zealand Gender:	Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions Reply #4 - 01/20/20 at 20:15:51 An Airhawk seat pad, may help comfort somewhat, as others have said it's a lovely looking bike, so ride and enjoy. Worry about exhaust and carburettor mods, if you feel like worrying.
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Juliana Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 50	Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions Reply #5 - 01/21/20 at 00:37:18 Agree on the Airhawk, have used on my last three unforgiving sportsbike seats and they are great.
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DesertCat

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Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions
Reply #6 - 01/21/20 at 05:30:47

ohiomoto wrote on 01/20/20 at 19:26:55:

Looks great. I love the two-tone paint. Best look the bike ever had IMO.

If you find it comfortable for 100 miles then your are one badass!!!

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I like the paint scheme too. I found it comfortable enough for 50 miles -- maybe 100 miles is wishful thinking. Wink

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DesertCat Full Member Offline Posts: 192	Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions Reply #7 - 01/21/20 at 05:32:32 MMRanch wrote on 01/20/20 at 19:36:00: It sure is a "LOOK-ER" ================= It's a fun bike. I was telling the seller that when I was 19 years old (late 60s) and had this bike I would have thought I'd died and gone to heaven.
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DesertCat

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Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions
Reply #8 - 01/21/20 at 05:33:58

IslandRoad wrote on 01/20/20 at 20:06:29:

That is a beautiful looking bike!

As for the gears, there's not much you can do in 5th that you can't do in 4th. I think the difference between 4th and 5th is about 200 rpm.

I also found the bike felt like if dropped into a turn, especially at slow speeds. I opted for slightly wider drag bars (31") with a bit less pull back. It gave me more leverage and felt more stable.

It also took pressure off my dodgy shoulder and moved the 'work' to my upper back instead of my shoulders - much more comfortable for me.

=======================================

Yeah, I found 4th gear to be good for most of the riding that I do -- 45-55 MPH.

Thanks for the drag bars tip.

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DesertCat

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Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions
Reply #9 - 01/21/20 at 05:35:48

jcstokes wrote on 01/20/20 at 20:15:51:

An Airhawk seat pad, may help comfort somewhat, as others have said it's a lovely looking bike, so ride and enjoy. Worry about exhaust and carburettor mods, if you feel like worrying.

==================================

Thanks for the tip. Yes, I think the LS650 is one of those icon bikes.

I'm a bit different than most motorcyclists. I like quiet and all my bikes are stock. I have 10 bikes at the moment -- all completely stock.

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions Reply #10 - 01/21/20 at 07:13:20 The 05 had one piece seat and drag bars,, The 02 , two piece seat, buckhorn bars. Seat much nicer Arms and back really appreciate the bars.
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DesertCat Full Member Offline Posts: 192	Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions Reply #11 - 01/21/20 at 15:06:37 justin_o_guy2 wrote on 01/21/20 at 07:13:20: The 05 had one piece seat and drag bars,, The 02 , two piece seat, buckhorn bars. Seat much nicer Arms and back really appreciate the bars. ============================ Thanks!
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jcstokes Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com is very useful Posts: 2142 Mauku New Zealand Gender:	Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions Reply #12 - 01/21/20 at 16:52:42 DesertCat, I'm so glad to know that there others who like things "quiet and stock".
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DesertCat Full Member Offline Posts: 192	Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions Reply #13 - 01/21/20 at 16:56:13 jcstokes wrote on 01/21/20 at 16:52:42: DesertCat, I'm so glad to know that there others who like things "quiet and stock". ======================= Thanks. It's a rarity. When I went thru my Harley phase (3 Softails, 2 Sportsters, and a Buell) I was the only guy riding a quiet stock Harley.
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Juliana Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 50	Re: 2014 LS650 - First ride impressions Reply #14 - 01/21/20 at 19:16:50 Im with you on the standard sound too. I have twin yoshimuras on my Sv1000 and the sound is to die for, but having said that im enjoyng the quiet S40, it sort of suits the relaxed thumpy thumpy slow lane ride of the bike. With my full face helmet i cant hear the engine enough tho haha.
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