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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> How does the Savage do on long trips?
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Message started by davedra on 04/27/07 at 22:12:20

Title: How does the Savage do on long trips?
Post by davedra on 04/27/07 at 22:12:20

Well, here's the story. I'm the dad and my son has a 98 Savage.

I've got a VTX 1300, an uncle has a M109R, and a friend has a VROD. (I know, I know - we make fun of him)

We're going on a couple of 3-4 day trips. I want my son to go and the other guys are asking me if I really think that my son should go on his bike. I don't know much about cc's and speed for long periods. We're traveling the back country of Southern Utah. I don't think that it would be a problem for my son but I'm dumb with this stuff.

Would he have a problem? Would his bike keep up? (We wouldn't be going over 65-70) Would his bike be okay for that long? I know he'd have to stop for gas more often.

Give me some true stories and some ammo to fire back at my "buddies".

Thanks!

Title: Re: How does the Savage do on long trips?
Post by Jack_650 on 04/27/07 at 23:12:56

Last summer, July/August during all of those near 100 degree days I took my 2k 650 on a round trip of 4,200 miles to Miamai, FL. Never a hitch in it's giddy-up for the whole trip and there were several 450-500 mile days. That was running a lot of interstate at 65-70+ as well as some four lane back roads. On the way home the "hawg boys" were headed to Sturgis and I was able to keep up with them just fine. As long as I could stand the noise that is. And that was with 180 pounds of me and close to 100 pounds of cr*p I took along and never used, but a guy's gotta have his toys and clean undies.

I suggest running synthetic oil though just for the exta protection from heat and friction additive breakdown. And I left home with new tires and brakes. He'll only have problems with his tush on those long runs on the stock seat. There's a seat mod on this forum where you lift the front of the seat an inch or so that really makes a difference in pain control. Get a memory foam cushion from Wally-World or some such pad to spread the pressure around a bit.

It's been a good highway bike for me despite what a lot of folks say. Haven't had problems with the wind even around the big rigs. Except for the arches of the feet on the pegs I've not even noticed too much trouble from vibration discomfort.

One fellas opinion.

Jack

Title: Re: How does the Savage do on long trips?
Post by firsts40 on 04/27/07 at 23:21:24

At the speeds you are talking, there shouldn't be much problem. You will have to stop every 100 miles for him to get gas. I ride with the Patriot Guard Riders, and I have been on 400 mile round trips with them in one day. We will normally stay around 60 - 65, some times 70 for short periods on the highways, and I have not had a problem. On one ride, we had a Highway Patrol escort for about 70 miles at around 75-80, and my 06 S40 did OK. At around 60-65 MPH, the S40 will be fine. I am 5'10" 220 in leathers.
As far as gas milage goes. I get around 58 to 60 MPG at around 60, and about 54 to 56 MPG at around 65 to 70. The best I have got was 63 MPG, which was on a little 100 mile ride I went on on country roads doing around 45 to 55. :o
After around 100 miles he will be wanting to get off and give the backside a rest for a few minutes, so that works out good because of gas stops. After 300 to 400 miles in a day on a bike weighing only around 360 wet, he will be ready to call it a day. 400 to 450 in a day is enough for my on the S40.
One more thing I will tell you, is if you have to time before you go on this trip, have him get a Superbrace. The difference it makes is tremendous. It took me approximately 20 minutes to install it, and that is including cutting off the factory plastic fork guards with a razor knife. I bought my Superbrace on line from Superbrace.com for $182.00 including polished stainless fork guards and shipping/handling.
:) 8)Have a safe trip, and I hope this info has been some help.

Title: Re: How does the Savage do on long trips?
Post by sluggo on 04/28/07 at 01:20:40

savage does just fine, it's my butt that gets sore. :o

Title: Re: How does the Savage do on long trips?
Post by K1200LTryder on 04/28/07 at 04:45:31

No reason why it shouldnt stand up to any kind of highway trip, the question is, can the rider handle it ?

As stated here, several riders have no probs gearing up and going long distances, but they also know the bike's limitations (all bikes have limitations, as well as riders).

I'd rather take a Savage on a long trip, than ride something like an R-1 on the same ride.

There are a few crotch rocket guys around here that we ride up to Daytona with, it's only 75 miles, and they have to stop and get off of them and stretch and get their bodies back into shape after 40 miles.

I go 275 on the beemer, but it's time to top up the tank after that anyways... ;D

Title: Re: How does the Savage do on long trips?
Post by Paladin on 04/28/07 at 09:04:54

davedra wrote:

Well, here's the story. I'm the dad and my son has a 98 Savage.

I've got a VTX 1300, an uncle has a M109R, and a friend has a VROD. ....

Would he have a problem? Would his bike keep up? (We wouldn't be going over 65-70) Would his bike be okay for that long? I know he'd have to stop for gas more often....

The VRod has a nominal 3.7 gallon tank, at 65-70 probably gets about 45-50 mpg -- 166 to 185 miles and then he's walking.
My Savage has a measured 2.93 gallon tank, at 65-70 should get 60 mpg -- 176 miles 'til it sputters to a stop. Son's Savage won't be holding you back any more than the VRod.

My Savage keeps up with L.A. Freeway Traffic -- at 0 to 85 mph depending on time of day.

Last year I did a ride thru the Mojave under a full moon. Took a short nap after work, rode 130 miles to Yucca Valley, topped up, an 80 mile putt thru Joshua Tree National Park (at 30-35 mph), topped up in Coachella, and then a 140 mile run back home. IIRC I didn't go on reserve. The two longer runs were at 65-75 mph. Arrived home not particularly sore or tired.

Later this year I'm planning on riding to the GEEIA Reunion in OKC. On the basis of last year's run I've booked my first night's motel in Holbrook AZ, 585 miles.

Title: Re: How does the Savage do on long trips?
Post by Savage Librarian on 04/28/07 at 10:16:00

The Savage will keep up. It won't be as comfortable, necessarily, as some of the others might be, but it'll do the job.

Might check into some of the comfort mods that have come up from time to time, if you haven't already. Raise the front of the seat, etc.

But as for the bike itself...it'll keep up no problem.

Title: Re: How does the Savage do on long trips?
Post by PA KID on 04/28/07 at 14:29:35

Wife an i go 2 up on day trips on our's.Has no probs keepin up with the others we ride with.

Title: Re: How does the Savage do on long trips?
Post by barry68v10 on 04/29/07 at 03:17:15

The Savage can handle a MUCH longer trip than any of us could stand. ;D

Title: Re: How does the Savage do on long trips?
Post by davedra on 04/30/07 at 21:54:38

Thanks - it sounds like my son won't have a problem keeping up!