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Message started by rebslb13 on 02/11/05 at 23:08:29

Title: low ground clearance
Post by rebslb13 on 02/11/05 at 23:08:29

Looking at it today it looked there is not much ground clearance. Anyone had any problem with that? I ask because I like to putter around on gravel/dirt roads, crossing creeks, etc. Not "dirt riding" but poking around the out of the way places. It's one of the things I like about the bike, light enough to pick back up if necessary.

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by klx650sm2002 on 02/12/05 at 00:19:31

My KLX has 10.5" of ground clearance and never goes off road.

Clive W :D

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by Mr 650 on 02/12/05 at 00:42:08

rebslb13 wrote:

Have you checked out the V-Strom 650?

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by Susan on 02/12/05 at 06:02:58

I don't regularly ride dirt roads but I have scraped my footpegs while leaning a time ot two! ;D

Regarding riding off-road, someone else with more technical knowledge should chime in but I'm not sure the Savage is well suited to it. I think someone here has mentioned that the design seems to throw rocks and dirt onto the belt which obviously isn't a good thing.

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by Greg_650 on 02/12/05 at 07:50:38

Yep, rocks and dirt on the belt, plus the rake is stuck our there a bit too far for any quick steering response in dirt. Not a whole lot of ground clearance either. I have thumped up a couple small hills just for grins, but the Savage is more at home on asphault.

I sure would hate to drop my Raask on a rock too :'(

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by raytoews on 02/13/05 at 13:04:17

Low ground clearence, fragile crankcase and no skid plate, poor handling with street tires, and tall gearing even in first.
Tried going down a back trail once, won't do that again.
Buy a KLR650 if you want to thump down a gravel raod.
Ray

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by bentwheel on 02/13/05 at 13:32:19

Allow me to chime in here. First off I love dual sporting. Last year my 2nd bike was a dualsport. I rode it more often than the Savage. So yeah I've been off road with the Savage. Nothing serious of course. I recall riding the Savage on a jeep trail and came across a shallow creek crossing and instinctively picked up my speed and stood up on the pegs to splash the creek. I forgot about the Savage's feet forward position so of course fell back into the seat and rode through the creek cruiser style. This was so stupidly funny to me that I laughed in my helmet all day.

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by gitarzan on 02/13/05 at 14:26:00

Greg, Where'd you get the Raask? Are there any US domestic outlets? Or do you have to order them from Sweden?

???

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by Greg_650 on 02/15/05 at 05:39:45

gitarzan wrote:

Greg, Where'd you get the Raask? Are there any US domestic outlets? Or do you have to order them from Sweden?

???

Ordered from Sweden and paid by wire transfer. Worked very well and had my pipe in about 10 days. Much cheaper too....$285 total.

If you go to the site, just find the contact link and they'll get back to you quickly. The guys name is Sivert Raask.

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by rebslb13 on 02/27/05 at 11:23:04

Sorry to be so long responding. Thanks for your comments. The problems with a dual purpose bike:

1. I'm 5'2" with a 26" inseam so a 31+" seat height is a REAL problem. (maybe I could get some of those platform boots to add 3" like the hookers wear, not to offend you ladies or others who might actually wear them. I guess others wear them too.)
2. I did not want a chain drive, all my prior bikes had chains and I'm tired of that.
3. I actually ride mostly on pavement but where I live a lot of shortcuts are gravel and the Missouri Department of Conservation areas (up to 7,000 acres) are gravel and sometimes have creek crossings. I certainly wouldn't try anything very rough. When I have time I may try to make a plate for the bottom. The trade off is losing even more clearance but having some degree of protection. I was thinking of a hardware cloth piece in front of the engine to catch rocks that could come off the gravel roads. Of course I'd have to still keep it "cool" looking too, if that's possible. Ha. This one Conservation area has some cool places to camp by the river but you have to cross a couple SMALL creeks to get there.

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by RadarORiley on 02/27/05 at 12:50:16

[quote author=rebslb13 link=board=RubberSideDown;num=1108192109;start=0#9 date=02/27/05 at 11:23:04]Sorry to be so long responding. Thanks for your comments. The problems with a dual purpose bike:

1. I'm 5'2" with a 26" inseam so a 31+" seat height is a REAL problem. (maybe I could get some of those platform boots to add 3" like the hookers wear, not to offend you ladies or others who might actually wear them. I guess others wear them too.)

I understand 26" inseam, that's the same as mine, but be careful with the "Hooker-Lady" boots. You can get the toe of them caught between the shifter and the foot peg real easy. Oops!

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by Mr 650 on 02/27/05 at 13:51:20

Greg_650 wrote:

Ordered from Sweden and ... The guys name is Sivert Raask.

I got a vision of the the Swedish Cheif from Seseme St, (w/ a welder in hand).

OOOORRDY, ORRRDY, ORRRDY
.....NORK! NORK! NORK!! ;D

Title: Re: low ground clearance
Post by rebslb13 on 02/27/05 at 17:37:08

Radar, sounds like you speak from experience??? Not that you would be of the "working girl" profession of course. :D