SG500 guys' opinions on Savages?

[geekonabike]

A dealer got a late-model Savage recently.  I've always wanted to try one.  I like "relaxed" riding, though my GS is starting to cure me of that.  Anyhow I'm just curious what you guys/gals who've tried one (or an S40) think of them.  Probably next Saturday, weather and rival buyers permitting, I'll finally test ride one.

I should mention that I'm 6'2" and about 210lbs, so I know the ergos might not be for me.  It seems a little small (compared to the lazyboy cruisers) when I just sit, but I've been riding long enough to know that sitting and riding are not the same.

Thanks,
Mike D.

[davipu]

they are 250's right?

[Roadstergal]

The Savage is a 650.

I had one before it was crunched, , and I plan on getting one again.  It's got OK mileage, not great (55ish), a ridiculously small tank (~100 miles before you should start looking for a gas station), has less power than you might expect from a 650, and is very light and short (about 350lbs, and the only bike I have ever ridden or even sat on that lets me put both feet on the ground with my knees flexed).  I like it because it has cruiser styling without Harley over-done-ness, it's low-maintenance, it's a good size and height for me, and the perfectly square thumper is fun - it's burbly, and when you let off the gas, it will pop and sometimes backfire.
The lack of a tach is annoying.
A 6'+, ~220lb friend of mine rode it and declared it far too small for him.  He struck a rather circus-bear-on-tricycle figure.
I've heard the Intruder 800 is a better choice for people of normal height.

[geekonabike]

A 6'+, ~220lb friend of mine rode it and declared it far too small for him.  He struck a rather circus-bear-on-tricycle figure.
I've heard the Intruder 800 is a better choice for people of normal height.

Yeah, that's the rub for me on most bikes.  Just the ergos make me want to buy a VStrom (which lack of funds keeps me from doing).  I do look forward to testing this one they have anyways.  It's on the list of intriguing bikes for me, with its unique character as a 650 single.  I understand there's a new seat, and new bars for the Boulevard, and that these are improvements, so if I find the Savage tolerable I might still consider an S40 in the future.  That's when I start having multiple bikes though.  For now it's GS500E only.  It's plenty versatile for me presently.

Thanks for the opinion.

--Mike D.

[geekonabike]

they are 250's right?

You're probably thinking of the GZ250.  That's another single, cruiser style.  That was the first bike that caught my eye when I started entertaining the notion of motorcycling.  Back then I thought I'd stay off the highways.  Lasted all of two months when I first started riding.

I have yet to snag a ride on a GZ250 either.  I've heard good things about them.  One OK MSF uses them in their courses.  They are probably hard to stall and fairly easy for a newb to ride.  The only downside is that their seats are believed by some to be engineered by the Spanish Inquisition.  The guys at the (Suzuki!) shop I saw (a brand new!) one at said top speed was about 55mph, but these guys don't know 250's.  I've heard plenty of reports that they can do as much as 85mph with help, and that 70mph is usually no problem.  One fellow over 200lbs goes two-up with his wife on one around the local HW's.  But I guess some salesmen want us to think we all need to be on literbikes.  Pishaw.

Savage is now in their Boulevard lineup as "S40" but gee, somehow the GZ250 isn't so renamed/updated.  Too bad.  --Mike D.

[Roadstergal]

I understand there's a new seat, and new bars for the Boulevard

New bars, yep (straight rather than curved), but I could discern no real difference in the seat.

[The Buddha]

A ... aaaah a sausage love the belt drive and the cheapo tires that last forever ... the bad... a head gasket that wont quit leaking, and a starter idelr gear that will break loose and not let you start the thing.  ... and yes the low and tiny stature ... But I was 220 lbs and never felt too big for it ...
BTW I might make drag bars for a old sausage ... so the boulevard s40 isn't the only choice for the bars ... and BTW those stock bars are a torture device ... even worse than the GS bars.
Cool.
Srinath.

[Lars]

Ok, guess from now on it'll be a sausage

The point about the bars is true, it's  impossible to ride highwayspeeds, your arms will get stretched It's also a babysized motorcycle, although it didn't give real problems with my 1,87m

Cool things are:
belt drive
monster torque (for such a small bike)

The torque is very good for accelerating away from stoplights.

[ghettorigged]

I liked the bike but Srinath is very right about the bars.

I also felt it was pretty decent power for a single and the height was insanely confidence-inspiring. PLus... look ma, no chain lube!  :mrgreen: