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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1141522444 Message started by SavageDude on 03/04/06 at 17:34:04 |
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Title: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by SavageDude on 03/04/06 at 17:34:04 After all the fuss about Savage's reliabbility and quality, I think we should have a survey of all the bike on this board. I don't know how we will conduct this but maybe for starter, we could post YEAR model, current ODOMETER reading, how long you have the BEAST. If anyone have more suggestions for this survey, then do so. This survey would really give us the real answer to how long our beloved SAVAGE really last? Since mine is pretty new so here it is: 2005, 2450mi, 1 year |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by Max_Morley on 03/04/06 at 17:40:43 96 25000miles, 5.5 years |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by Paladin on 03/04/06 at 17:40:57 This is a self-selected survey and thus invalid. Thumper is a 2000, 11000 miles, half in the last 15 months that I have had him. I expect many more years of trouble free riding. |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by 911radioman on 03/04/06 at 17:50:33 I'll abstain since I've only had mine close to a month. :) However, mine is a 2002 with 4,700 miles. Dealer told me that when they took it in on trade, the plug had not developed a leak but they were aware of the potential and went ahead and replaced it before reselling it. In my time of ownership, I've had zero problems other than a bad tube in the rear tire. Got that replaced Wednesday and all is well once again. Other than that, the only thing I can offer is that this bike has had a 20 year production run. A product that is defective doesn't make it 20 years without the manufacturer either correcting the problem or pulling the plug on its run. |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by HawkEye1967 on 03/04/06 at 19:08:06 1986 approx 29000 km I have hade to replace a starter drive gear, weld the crankcase, replace the cam chain adjuster, have owned this bike for about 8ish years, also had a oil leak,(not the plug),stripped head bolt, had to put in a heli-coil, of the top that is all I can think of. |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by AussieSavage on 03/04/06 at 20:47:49 1986 Savage with 98,600km.Owned for 3 years One complete motor rebuild, starter motor replaced, fork seals, clutch cable, Clutch, needle valve, solenoid, decompression unit and cable, throttle cable, new drive belt and side stand relay. One of the most reliable bikes I have owned. Never let me down on long rides. Cheers Aussie Savage |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by diesel on 03/04/06 at 21:47:03 ya know fellas(and gals), of all the Savages running out there for the last 20 yrs, I have to wonder what percentage of all of them is represented on this board or all the Savage boards, for that matter. my guess is mabey 2 or 3 percent, if that many. whaddya think, folks? how many Savage riders out there know that a great info source like these boards even exsits? Bill aka diesel. this is a very unique group. |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by lancer on 03/04/06 at 22:27:02 We are unique indeed, and quite a handsome/beautiful bunch as well. I have a '96 model with just 6000 miles. It was purchased new in '99...it was a long wait in that crate. My only problem was due to road damage @ 1800 miles...not the bikes fault. It has been problem free otherwise. |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by klx650sm2002 on 03/05/06 at 02:33:21 KLX is a 93 model, I got her in '02 and she now has 14890 miles on the clock. Clive W :D |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by jbird on 03/05/06 at 03:37:02 dont laugh ,2004 3500 miles i work 6 days a week 10 hours a day dont have a lot of free time to play but no ttouble |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by red2k1 on 03/05/06 at 05:22:45 2002, 12,143 miles. Just routine maintanence and bolt-on upgrades. |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by PerrydaSavage on 03/05/06 at 05:51:15 2003 LS650, 4800km, 2.5 years, 1st owner ... so far just oil changes, and clutch cable adjust ... |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by thehoghunter on 03/05/06 at 06:21:37 1. 1996 - purchased new - now has 8300 miles - only issues have been my own fault. Has oil leak which may or may not be the infamous plug. 2. 1996 - 17,000 when purchased - has 21,000 now - half the issues have been my own fault (maybe 1/3 mine - have to blame the idiot who ran it over for some, and the fact it was sitting outside wasting away for some too). It has been a royal pain in my 'neck' for the last year - I'll be surprised if it starts again (which hopefully will be in the next month if no more of life's surprises get in the way) |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by mornhm on 03/05/06 at 06:34:38 2004 7K miles. Purchased with 17 miles on the odometer 9 months of riding (actually switched over to a Concours in November). Routine maintenance and one episode with the starter switch (in a thread somewhere). |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by USCG Cremeans on 03/05/06 at 08:12:19 1987 - 10,000 miles still working on her, have had her for the winter and have only needed cosmetic work and some good carb cleaning. oh yes and the plug cap, but thats a given |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by Kropatchek on 03/05/06 at 08:19:05 1993 42K Km Previous owner replaced the camchain and tensioner at 32K Km. Purchage at 33K km 2 years ago. No failures of any kind, I do not consider replacing a rear tire when it's worn, a failure. Greetz Kropatchek ;D |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by threezukes on 03/05/06 at 09:19:23 '86 32000km overhauled at about 27000km due to either leaky piston ring or valve seal maybe both. Needs a new clutch and still leaks oil from many places starter, side covers...oh and just recently replaces the infamous oil plug. At least the simple engine is much easier to repair compared to most other engines. |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by Ed_L. on 03/05/06 at 10:51:57 Only 5,000 miles on my '02, life gets in the way of riding. Purchased the bike used with 1500 miles on it. So far no problems with the bike except when I dropped it the second week I owned it and broke a few ribs. ;D |
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Title: Re: How reliable is SAVAGE survey? Post by Taz on 03/05/06 at 11:00:10 If all goes as stated, I should be picking up my new 2006 Savage on March 11th. From what I understand some/most of the problems begin after the first service. So... I intend to change my own oil and filter at 600 or less miles; Keeping the engine closed and tight until I feel a need to open her up and adjust valves etc. Am I on the right track? |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by slavy on 03/05/06 at 20:43:59 Always check and change the oil, I'd say- every 1000-1500 miles. If You do it this way, You can change the filter every other oil change or skip 2 and do it every third. Always make sure the tires are properly inflated / at least once a week if riding regulary or before every ride if riding on the weekends/ Check and adjust the valves accordingly the manual. If riding in a green country with a lot of bugs and flys- clean the chrome fork tubes every time after You come back from a ride - this will prolong the life of the fork seals. Make sure the air filter works properly. If You install K&N, make sure You use K&N filter oil. If the cam chain starts rattling- change the chain and the tensioner. Whatever You do- either do it when You have time and desire and do it properly, or do not start it at all. A lot of people get hurt and a lot of machines get scrappped, because somebody was in a hurry. The Savage will run untill You get tired of it and sell it to somebody else |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by Tony on 03/06/06 at 04:30:45 I have had my '05 S40 for about 1.5 years.I purchased her new. She now has 6200 on her. I've never had a problem that I didnt cause myself. |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by bikingb on 03/06/06 at 05:05:45 2002 purchased last July with 1500 miles on her. At 4500 now. It is snowing outside. Just finished mods. Can't wait to ride. No problems. |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by torque on 03/06/06 at 06:01:25 i had a 98 which we bought in 2003 with 4,500 miles,now it has 18,000. so i had 13,500 miles of trouble filled riding. :( |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by Savage_Rob on 03/06/06 at 06:12:29 1998 Savage purchased in July of 2004 with 1640 miles on her. She now has 6,000 miles and no troubles to speak of. About the most abuse she suffers is running 75+ MPH sometimes on the freeway just to stay with traffic in the HOV lane and she doesn't complain about that. |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by vroom1776 on 03/06/06 at 08:42:25 1997 savage. bought in 2002 with 8.5k miles. Cam chain tensioner broke at ~15k miles due to serious abuse on the highway. now has 23k + miles. runs great. |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by Dynobob on 03/06/06 at 11:53:20 torque wrote:
Hey torque, your grenading your engine has alot of people here worried about longevity. Funny how you claim to have not abused your Savage, yet I run into this old post while searching for something else: torque wrote:
Question - why were you running 100 octane in a low compression engine ? Question - don't you think all those burnouts contributed to your engine's demise ? |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by Banger on 03/07/06 at 05:10:42 My 1997 Savage ("Zook," I call her) had 7,400 miles on her when I bought her. Rode her last summer until the clock showed just shy of 14,000 miles, so I put nearly half the miles on the bike within the span of about six months. Laid it down once at ~15 mph in a parking lot, which put a large dent in the tank. Foolishly tried to blow the dent out, splitting the tank. Welded the small crack in the tank and continued riding her. Going to work one morning, the fuel delivery valve (can we just say "petc0ck without the stupid zero?!?) snapped clean in two from rubbing against the cylinder head at highway speed. Replaced tank and valve and all was well again. Continued riding for another 2,000 trouble-free miles with a bright yellow 1996 tank on my sparkle black 1997 LS650. This winter, I've enlisted the help of my stepfather to change the bike a bit. Just bought PPG flat black paint and primer. Chrome rails gone, sissy bar gone, tie-down handles added and welded into place (I kid you not...homemade!) and dual taillights fitted. New signals are on the way. We also did the cap leak fix. Next will be dual headlights, euro-style, plus S40 or Intruder or Sportster flat bars. And I suspect a boat-load of miles this summer. Regards, Banger ======= |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by Jim Smith on 03/07/06 at 06:39:51 Mine is a 2002, bought it used in 2004. It has 12,700 miles so far and all I've had to do, other than services, is to replace a battery, which was my fault for failing to check and top it up. I've owned several Suzukis and always found them to be very reliable bikes. |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by cowboylukas on 03/09/06 at 22:26:20 Bought in April 2004 2004 with 12,000 miles on it. Original everything except rear tire replaced from wear at 6,500 miles. I replaced it with a bigger tire that is rated for more miles (made out of harder rubber) |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by WD on 03/09/06 at 22:47:36 1998 bought new with 1 mile on it (mechanic took it for a quick shakedown per my request). Current mileage? I don't know for sure, never check anymore. Problems: 1) Fork seals popped 5 minutes after taking delivery. I wheelied it unintentionally... 2) Headlight snapped off. I added a toolroll to the bars and forgot the bucket was plastic... 3) Insides of fender rails rusted rapidly. Sold them to Max Morley to make a fender rack for his bike. ;D 4) Handlebar and riser knurling stripped out. Oh yeah, 14 inch apehangers attract people with NO respect for other people's bikes... 5) Headlight, aftermarket blinker sheared off, brake hose smashed flat, tank crunched (twice), tail pipe tip ground down. Taught the kid to ride on it and he layed it down, once at speed. Oh well, it runs and I'm fixing it up. -WD |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by barb36jack31 on 03/11/06 at 13:46:05 O5 S40 2500 miles, 0 problems, not even a backfire. Have the air needle turned out 2/14 turns, that may be why no backfire. |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by Digger on 12/25/06 at 14:32:21 My bike is in my signature. Bought it used in late '01 for SWIMBO. It had only 60 miles on it and had been sitting in a shed for nine months. Carb was gunked up good. Cleaned the carb up and have had no problems to speak of. The petc0ck diaphragm took a dump a few months ago, so I just bypassed the vacuum function and run it in PRIME (I turn the petc0ck to ON when I shut off the engine). I suspect the diaphragm has been dodgy ever since I bought the bike, due to the time it spent in that shed. I use the bike year 'round as an around-town errand-runner. I really like it for this task. I've other bikes for serious long-distance riding. SWIMBO barely rides it at all. :( |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by TVR on 12/25/06 at 17:23:41 2001, 24,000, 3 months |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by verslagen1 on 12/25/06 at 18:49:08 '96, bought it with 16,400 miles, 4 months and a 1000 miles later and it still feels like yesterday when I got it. ;D Previous owner said just maintenence and tires. Clutch slips, brakes squeal untill I clean 'em. :P Big crank ordered, had to bump start it these last few cold mornings (if you call 42F cold, I do) Probably do the clutch and cam chain at 20k |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by geo on 12/25/06 at 20:06:22 I have no reason to doubt the reliability of this machine. I have a 2002 with 6350 miles (10217km). I do run a pure synthetic oil, and I have made the mods below. |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by justin_o_guy on 12/25/06 at 23:17:20 2005 S40, 13,500 miles. It got dodgy starting & I bypassed the kickstand & clutch switches. It still didn't start reliably. I added an emergency start switch under the right side of the frame, just under the seat. Now, even after cleaning the start switch, I still have to use the emergency switch sometimes. Oil leak at the clutch actuator thru the case. Hasn't been an issue since I changed to 20/40. I think if reliability is the subject riding style is a factor. Most things give good service if they are babied. This bike is not babied & it is hanging in well mechanically. The wiring issue is a disappointment. I didn't pay for a Mercedes tho, so I spose some "less than perfect" areas are just to be expected. I still think I got more than I paid for. |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by azjay on 12/26/06 at 06:39:10 '96 bought last year, 5600mi on the clock, constant issues with the stock cv style carb acting stupid for no appearant reason. taken apart and thouroughly cleaned, rejetted, spacer mod and reassembled shortly after purchasing the bike, and repeatedly during it's daily usage. it would flood the motor occasionally, it would lean itself out while riding, it would choose not to accelerate, most of the time it would run perfectly ???. the engines demise at 8000mi was do to a mechanic induced lack of oil :-[. it will be rebuilt, engine failure report will be posted here, shopping continues for a suitable operator controlled carb replacement for the d@mn vacuum controlled carb >:(. |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by smokey02 on 12/26/06 at 08:46:38 96 bought in Oct 05 with 6500 on it, had new tires. Now has 14500+. I broke a shift rod (limped home in 2nd gear, but It didn't strand me, I carry a spare now) Replaced front brakes twice (first time OEM parts, they didn't last, 2nd time used EBC FA106X and practiced using more rear brake) Replaced battery with BigCrank. Like Digger above, I sometimes have to use the Petc0ck in PRI, especially if its colder than 50°F in the mornings. Sometimes I have to use the choke when its cold, mostly not. See other mods below It's my daily work bike, 12 miles each way on city streets, gets 50 mpg. I upgraded my AAA to include bike towing, but it has never let me down. |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by Southpaw on 12/26/06 at 09:48:03 2004 with 4,200 miles. I've only had it a few months. Just a hint of the oil leak, no other problems. Always checking the tire pressure and fluids leaves less to chance! |
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Title: Re: "How reliable is SAVAGE?" survey Post by firsts40 on 12/26/06 at 10:24:18 2006 S40 with 2800 miles. No problems to talk about at all. Today had the 3000 check up, "doctor" said she is fine and doing well, just did a slight valve adjustment. I run with the Patriot Guard, and she does excellent long side the HDs. (65-70 MPH on the highways). Have had it up 75 on a few occassions for a short distance. Plan on keeping her for at least two more years. ;D ;D 8) |
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