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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
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Message started by SAVAGE1 on 07/01/04 at 09:15:45

Title: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by SAVAGE1 on 07/01/04 at 09:15:45

just join up and cool site!! I also am thinking of the new savage s/40 and would like to ask can one tour on the savage? ;D

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Greg_650 on 07/02/04 at 13:25:33

It depends on your definition of touring. If riding 2 lane twistie roads through the mountains with no particular time limit is your idea, then yes. That is what the Savage (or S40) is really intended to do. If cruising the interstate at 70-80 is your plan, you'll be more happy with the next size up v-twin (s65?).

The Savage is a torquey single. It is smooth in it's best RPM range around 4K. The spouse and I have ridden ours fully loaded with gear on 300 mile days, but our average speed was 45-50, with occassional hops on the interstate.

You can do interstae speeds with the Savage, but it isn't at home there (IMO)

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Jon on 07/02/04 at 20:19:03

>You can do interstae speeds with the
> Savage, but it isn't at home there

It will cruise the highway all day at 65-70mph, but you better be chewing gum so your teeth don't bang together. They don't call thumper riders "numb nuts" for no reason.

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Greg_650 on 07/03/04 at 04:44:12

SAVAGE1 wrote:

just join up and cool site!! I also am thinking of the new savage s/40 and would like to ask can one tour on the savage? ;D

You also need to remember that "interstate" cruising involves more wind...from speed and and trucks. The Savage is the lightest "cruiser" bike on the market, and wind does have an effect on the interstate.

Also, does "touring" mean 2-up riding? Nope. The Savage seat and suspension isn't made for that either. The engine has the power for 2 people, but now we are talking about ergonomics and comfort. Short rides are okay, but you don't want to take off for the weekend (unless both of you are alot smaller than me :o)

The Savage is a thumpin' back roads single rider machine. Throw your gear on the back seat and head for the hills.

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by SAVAGE1 on 07/03/04 at 07:53:17

Thanks ,I don,t plan on doing interstates just the backroads I don,t ever go on freeways. there full of idiots on cellphone that put others in danger. and the best way to see america is the back country anyway. Ron

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Chench53 on 07/04/04 at 05:55:20

You can! I've gone from NYC to Myrtle Beach, to West Virginia, to New Hampshire. I've taken interstates on parts of those trips, riding as fast as 70+, even 80+ for short stretches.

With a TBag or duffle bag, and saddlebags, you can haul a lot of stuff too (too much, I usually overpack. :P ::) )

Have fun!

Gerry

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by gitarzan on 07/04/04 at 09:05:58

The savage just makes the rest stops all that much sweeter!!! ;)

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Wayne Crannell on 07/14/04 at 20:25:40

Well, I just got back from 2350 miles -- Dallas to Milwaukee and back in 350-400 mile chunks. Mine handled it fine, but there were moments I was wishing for a Goldwing! (4 hours of thunderstorms from Dubuque to Des Moines was one.) Country roads at 65 mph were much more comfortable and fun than interstates at 70 mph. The Airhawk pad, Protac backrest, Throttle Rocker, Throttle Lock, and windshield made it possible. Would have liked a bigger gas tank, better suspension, and about 10 mph more in reserve on the top end. On the other hand, it kept up just fine on the interstate. It does suck that the stock rear tire has 5500 miles on it and looks like I'll need a new one soon!

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Greg_650 on 07/16/04 at 11:41:46

Wayne Crannell wrote:

Admirable ride. Whoa! I guess the Airhawk was really your best part of that ride. I met someone that did an Iron Butt ride, and he gave all the credit to that seat....he was riding an Indian, too.

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by AL_DOWN_UNDER on 07/18/04 at 15:02:17

CHECK OUT YOUR LONGEST TRIP ON A SAVAGE PAGE 5 ALL THE IMFO YOU NEED ;D

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Savvyge on 09/07/04 at 22:54:03

Yes, you sure can tour on a Savage, if you know how to pack light and dry and you are happy to stop for gas and a break every couple hours. Bert Heise just posted my thoughts and some pix I sent him on his Savage Owners Owner's site. in the "Reviews"section. Enjoying touring depends more on your approach than your equipment. Your Savage will make as fine a companion traveling unfamiliar roads far from home as it does taking you to work every day.

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Chench53 on 09/08/04 at 05:40:44

I have ridden up to 632 miles in one day, all day, for over 12 hours on my Savage. Just me on the bike; Overally, relatively light with me weighing in at 116 lbs, plus packed saddlebags, TBag and a dufflebag.

We traveled at speeds of 75+, and while the bike did OK at that speed, the part of the ride past 7-8 hours became more like work for me. I think the bike was just fine. But over 12hours in the seat isn't much fun.

I had done another ride, almost 400 miles in one day, speeds of 70-75. I was alone, so stopped when I wanted, went when I wanted. I was on the road that day from 10:30am til 7:15pm, and found that day most delightful, and very comfortable, just getting tired around the 375 mile mark. That and the later hour made me stop when I did.

Gerry

Gerry

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Gargoyle on 09/08/04 at 06:08:11

Years ago when I first started riding I toured on a 250 Honda. So my answer is yes you can tour on a Savage.

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Old Geezer on 09/08/04 at 13:56:00

Just remember one of the basic premises to the sport of motorcycling, it's not just the destination, it's the ride. Take your time and enjoy it. Your Savage will do just fine. Have fun and be safe.

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Jon on 09/08/04 at 14:39:51

> yes you can tour on a Savage.

You could ride a LS650 from coast to coast, it's strong and reliable.

Sitting in one position during long rides on any bike can be uncomfortable, so move around and stretch a little at gas stops. I try to limit my touring to 400 mile days to give the buns and back a break.

As discussed in another thread, the LS rides firm which can really beat you up on a tour. I strongly recommend the Hagon shocks if you are going to do some high mileage riding.

> Years ago when I first started riding
> I toured on a 250 Honda

Shameless plug for another group. If any of you have a Honda 250 Nighthawk, check it out:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/CB250_Nighthawk

We tour on them, one rider has clocked over 79,000 miles on the original engine.

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Greg_650 on 09/09/04 at 04:46:09

Jon wrote:

>
> Years ago when I first started riding
> I toured on a 250 Honda

Shameless plug for another group. If any of you have a Honda 250 Nighthawk, check it out:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/CB250_Nighthawk

We tour on them, one rider has clocked over 79,000 miles on the original engine.

Neat and clean little bike. 79K on the ticker, too? Impressive. Does Honda still make those?

Title: Re: TOURING ON A SAVAGE?
Post by Jon on 09/09/04 at 10:39:50

> Neat and clean little bike. 79K on the ticker, too?
> Impressive. Does Honda still make those?

The bike on the front page is not the 79K machine. The high mileage scooter is red. It resides in Florida and was ridden in the hurricane a few days back, see posting 2985.

Like the LS650, the CB250 has had a long production run. Other than the addition of a halogen headlight in '01, and required wiring tweaks, the '04 250 Nighthawk is the same bike as the original version in 1991. It's supposed to continue in the '05 lineup.