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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Concerned about size
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Message started by jrdudas on 08/28/06 at 14:16:01

Title: Concerned about size
Post by jrdudas on 08/28/06 at 14:16:01

Many years ago I said that if I ever got another motorcycle it would be a Suzuki Thumper. Well I've got the bug again (actually as we all know, it never goes away) and I have once more noticed the Savage. I really like the simplicity, the price, the belt drive, and the engine size. My problem is the overall size of the bike; it just seems too small for me. I'm not a huge guy, but I am 6' 1" and weigh about 210. When I sit on the Savage I can't see the front tire or fender and the bike looks a good bit smaller than other mid-sized bikes.

I have read a lot of posts here placed by big guys who feel comfortable on the Savage. Are there mods available that will make the bike seem larger? And how do you avoid that feeling of being 4 pounds of tuna in a 3 pound can?

JR

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by Dynobob on 08/28/06 at 14:52:26

It is a small framed bike, no doubt. I think forward controls and/or highway bars would resolve that problem for you.
There are a few over 6 footers on this board that ride a Savage. Without forward controls, I imagine it would be uncomfortable for a tall person like yourself.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by Paladin on 08/28/06 at 14:55:28

Rather than move controls forward, it seems to me that it would be far easier to move the saddle up and back.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by enophile on 08/28/06 at 15:38:45

Compared to a Sportster, the Savage does have forward controls. A Sportster 800 has about the same stature except the controls are straight down from the saddle and the Savage has them forward a little.

The Savage has the same seat height as other mid-size cruisers. What makes it seem smaller is that it is more narrow.

I'm 5'9" and it fits me like a glove after raising the seat about an inch. I would think that a 6' 1" person would fit on this bike just as well as an 800 Sportster or an 800 Boulevard.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by Ed_L. on 08/28/06 at 16:06:19

The seat mod is the first thing you should do to fit on the bike better. It will allow you to slide your butt back and give you more leg room. The Savage is a smaller bike in today's world of large displacement cycles. None the less it can be comfortable for big riders. I'm 6'2" and weigh around 230 lbs and am comfortable on my '02. Of course I've installed 4"forward controls and changed the handle bars along with the seat mod. If the smaller size is a issue then hit a couple of dealers and sit on different bikes, I've done it and found some bigger bikes that were really uncomfortable. I really like my light nimble Savage but to some bike owners these are drawbacks not pluses.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by pjgatlin on 08/29/06 at 13:02:11

I have to disagree with everyone! I am a fairly small person... about 5'4 and 115 lbs. I get blown all over the road! For me, the Savage is too small. I ride my husband's Intruder, which weighs 200 lbs more, and I feel much more safe. In fact, I'll ride his bike anywhere. I avoid the interstate with my Savage.
The small size is nice... when I'm backing it out of my garage.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by divecop on 08/29/06 at 14:26:53

i ride my S40 on the interstate all the time...i have not been blown around either being passed or while passing and we have a crap load of 18 wheelers on Interstate 30...possibly because i weight more than pjgatlin...but have no problems anywhere on my light bike...

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by RadarORiley on 08/29/06 at 14:52:38

I only notice being blown around when the wind gusts hit 35-40 mph on the hwy. Of course I am a pretty good anchor ;D

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by SAMM on 08/29/06 at 16:46:19

My wife keeps telling me that size doesnt matter... and as far as beeing blown around........ ;)

Sorry I couldnt resist....... ;D

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by Reelthing on 08/29/06 at 16:55:27

pjgatlin wrote:

somebody order this girl the double chicken fried steak, and extra on the gravy and mashed taters

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by Reelthing on 08/29/06 at 16:58:08

SAMM wrote:

My wife keeps telling me that size doesnt matter... and as far as beeing blown around........ ;)

Sorry I couldnt resist....... ;D

Shame on you SAMM, and just dont buy a white one

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by SavageDude on 08/29/06 at 18:09:47

I'm 145lbs and 5'8 and feel quite comfortable when riding on freeway (superslab). I do get tossed around a little with wind gust or 18 wheelers. But with jrdudas weight and height, you will do fine with the seat mod suggested above.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by 911radioman on 08/29/06 at 18:10:30

The degree to which one is blown around on any bike is directly related to the tightness of the grip on the bars, IMHO.

I ride interstates all the time. For example, when I first started riding, I'd get pushed all over the place and I had a death grip on the bars when I'd get turbulance. Now, I just ride along relaxed on the bars and I notice very little turbulance at all.

As far as I'm concerned, the amount of turbulance one gets from either a passing semi or a windy day is more related to the mass/exposed surface area of any bike than it is the weight of the bike. Just my opinion on that though...

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by bikingb on 08/30/06 at 05:33:20

I have to agree w/ 911radioman the lack of deathgrip makes a huge diference. I'm 5'7 and 140. I don't want to go back to eating those chicken fried steaks (do miss 'em a little) to be able to ride. The more I hug w/ my legs on the highway and keep my upper body loose, the more stable I feel. The deathgrip makes my hands go numb too.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by Island_Biker on 08/30/06 at 06:33:39

I haven't ridden a lot of different bikes - especially at highway speeds, so I can't comment on personal experience - I do know that my Savage riding 2up stays put better than me alone. I've also talked to my brother-in-law who has been biking for almost 40 years and he claims that a full faring - including lowers - makes a huge difference in turbulance.

So, as in so many things, whatever works for you, your driving style, and your driving circumstances. I don't have any divided highway and very little controlled access. The fastest speed limit in our province is 90kmh (~60mph) and most roads are set at 80kmh (~50mph) so high speed driving and semi turbulence are not issues for me on a daily basis.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by billy on 09/01/06 at 22:57:27

I am a big guy 6 ft 225 # but I have fairly short legs, 32 inch inseam. I think that has more to do with comfort than how tall a person is. My only complaint on the interstate is that the traffic is doing 80 and if you don,t keep up they will run you over. 80 or 85 is about top speed for my S40 and I don't like running wide open for any lenght of time. Plus if you are wide open then you have no reserve to manuver should it be nessessary. mostly I stick to the back roads unless I just have to, the back roads have more scenery any way.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by PerrydaSavage on 09/02/06 at 02:33:42

I'm 5'-5" @ 130lbs with 30" inseam and the LS fits me perfectly ... we get a LOT of wind here in eastern Newfoundland and my experience has been that it is much less turbulent Riding 100kph on a calm day than 60kph on a very windy day! :o So wind velocity here is as much a factor as rolling speed ... that said, a relaxed grip (something I have "force" myself to do at times ... ) makes a world of difference.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by mavrik on 09/03/06 at 15:54:44

Paladin wrote:

Rather than move controls forward, it seems to me that it would be far easier to move the saddle up and back.

Ok Help me out, how do you move the seat up and back? I'm over 6' ride with the death grip and get serious monkey butt after 1.5 hrs. Ya I'm new at this. Also is there highway pegs for this bike, and would it stabilize the bike at high speeds? Thanks :D

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by 911radioman on 09/03/06 at 16:10:45

mavrik wrote:

You can't without some major modifications. You'd lose the pillion seat, and have to fabricate quite a bit to get a level seating surface. Then you are left with a huge gap in between the seat and the tank which would look utterly stupid, IMHO.

To me, that's not a sound option. Although forward controls are expensive if kits are bought, there are plans here on this site to fabricate your own if you are good at that sort of thing.

For me, I'll shell out the money for made-to-fit stuff before I'll screw with the looks of the bike.

Lose the death grip -- it doesn't cost anything. You'll find a notable difference in handling once you do that.

Title: Re: Concerned about size
Post by gary_ona_savage on 09/03/06 at 19:54:58

I'm 5-10 with long legs (32 inseam) and 200 lbs. I ride very comfortably on my savage. Heck, I just upgraded from a Rebel so ANYTHING is better. I used to run my Rebel at freeway speeds with no problem (other than the front tire wanted to follow the groves). My savage is so much smother on the freeway. I run comfortably at 65-70 on the freeway no problem. I did raise the front of my seat and rotated the handlebars upward which makes it more comfortable. I would like to get forward controls, but that's only because I like to stretch my legs out in front of me more. I have no problem riding for long periods on it (other than my backside likes to go to sleep after an hour).

As far as wind turbulance, the key is 1) a windscreen the right size and the right angle and 2) relaxing on the bike. When I get up to speed I force myself to relax my arms and legs. It's common knowledge that being relaxed will help you stay more in control of the bike than being tense. I don't think the savage is too light for the wind, because my Ford F-150 extended cab gets blown around alot more than my Savage does! As it's been said, it's all about sail surface. It's how much you and your windscreen (if you got one) catch the wind (some of us catch a lot more)! I've done quite a few freeway test miles trying to get the windscreen set just right.

Gary