SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Shadow vs Savage
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1187660497

Message started by Pizza_King on 08/20/07 at 18:41:37

Title: Shadow vs Savage
Post by Pizza_King on 08/20/07 at 18:41:37

Anyone owned both and care to compare? I'm taking the motorcycle safety course in October and probably will try to purchase a bike in December or January. I figured if I went savage I'd save money in the rare case I decide biking isn't my thing.

Compare things such as.... Size, drivability, reliability, Comfort, Etc...

Thanks all,

Kyle

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by PhotoProf on 08/20/07 at 19:37:40

Kyle... which Shadow are you looking at (displacement)?

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by Pizza_King on 08/20/07 at 19:47:02

Since I'm a beginner no more than a 750.

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by wrongwayair on 08/20/07 at 20:14:24

ok, I haven't actually ridden them but before I happened across the Savage I was ready to sign the papers on the Shadow VLX (600) for no better reason than it just felt right. Nice low seat, well balanced & looked good too. The 750 however, i've sat on a few of these & they seem top heavy & from my perspective just too wide. Then again, i'm only 5'6". The riding part, i'm sure there are others here that can help you with that. Good Luck!

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by firsts40 on 08/20/07 at 22:39:18

What I would do is go to the different dealers, sit on one you may like, bring it up off the kick stand and rock it gently a little from side to side. This will help you get a feel of the balance. What I did for the handle bars is, I sat on the bike with my eyes closed, hands on my knees and lifted my arms up and out in a natural position and see if my hands fell on the grips. If you are riding with your arms and hands not in a natural position for you, you will be uncomfortable.
And last and most important is, what do you want the bike for. If you want a commuter bike, the chances are the S40 will be for you. If you want to cruise the highways a lot, you may want something bigger. I ride my 06 S40 on the highways (60-65) sometimes for 400 miles in a day, and it takes it quite well. I am 5'10" 200 pounds (a lot more in the winter with leathers on).
I hope this helps

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by forrest on 08/21/07 at 04:40:32

First40 is right. Go look and put your butt in the seats of several diffrent bikes. I use my S40 for commuting in fairly heavy stop and go traffic. With it being so light it is easy to balance and when I have to "walk" for a while I couldn't imagine doing that with a 800 lb bike.

But if I was going to do a lot of highway riding I'd feel a wee bit more comfortable on a bigger bike.

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by skrapiron on 08/21/07 at 05:03:53

I've had my eye on a Honda Shadow Aero for a while now. I really dig the styling (the Indian look-alike fenders get me every time...)

But after riding a shadow, I am hesitant to give up my thumper.

The Savage produces about 31hp stock and weighs in at 352lbs. The Shadow (even the base model spirit 750) produces just 45hp and it's dry weight is 496lbs.

Off the line, the Savage/S-40 is SOO much faster than the larger Shadow. Around town, that weight difference can spell the difference between a comfortable commute and a tiring one.

The Shadow did very well on the road, with a smooth comfortable ride. But starting on a hill, negotiating stop and go traffic, or making a slow speed turn, the extra weight became a handicap. I really had to concentrate and make an effort to get it to turn.

What got me was the fuel economy. The Savage/S-40 will deliver 60+ mpg any day of the week (I've gotten as high as 74mpg) while the Shadow comes in around 45mpg. Essentially, they'll both go about 120 miles to a tank. You'll just spend more filing the Shadow. (3.9 gallons vs. 2.5 gallons)

But the bottom line is, what do you plan to do with the bike? Are you planning alot of solo riding and commutes to work/school/library/postoffice etc? Then the Savage/S-40 is the best bike for the job. Or are you planning long distance interstate rides or carrying an adult passenger in pillion? In that case, the Shadow would be the better bike to consider.

I love my Savage. It is small, lightweight, powerful, delivers stellar fuel economy and is fun to ride around town or even on the express way. (over 70mph it gets a bit uncomfortable but that's to be expected from a huge single cylinder spinning at 5000+ rpm..)

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by jrm8486 on 08/21/07 at 05:12:23

I have both a 750 ACE and a S40, the ace is better on the road with 2 up, alot more comfort and smoother ride. weighs alittle more and you know it . My s40 is lighter but I only ride 1 up on it.s40 is faster from a standing start by far but the honda is like sitting on a lazyboy recliner on the road.It depends what your use of the bike will be.

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by Pizza_King on 08/21/07 at 05:37:08

I plan to ride it around town and maybe on short distant trips until I get some experience under my belt. I'm sure my better half will ride with me some of the time depending on how well she likes it. But, I'm almost certain she will never want to get off the bike. Hope this helps.

Kyle

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by Paladin on 08/21/07 at 05:50:59

As others have noted, the two bikes are different and each is better in different situations.

You don't go into a hardware store and ask which is the better hammer, this 16 oz framing hammer or this 3 lb maul? You tell the man what you will be using the hammer for and get the correct tool for the job.

Motorcycles are the same. You need to select the correct tool for the job.

How old are you, how large (or small), where do you live (urban/suburban/rural), how's your driving record (accidents/tickets)? Where will you be riding (check all that apply):

urban, local, up to 30 mph
urban, up to 45 mph
urban + some freeway
dirt, roads, >30 mph
dirt, trails, <30 mph
dirt, tracks, <10 mph
country lanes, 35-60 mph
highways, 50-70 mph
interstates, 70-90 mph

How much time will be spent riding? If you have dirt available to you dirt riding is some of the best fun you can have with clothes on -- and excelent for developing riding skills.

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by Paladin on 08/21/07 at 05:59:51

Pizza_King wrote:

...I'm sure my better half will ride with me some of the time depending on how well she likes it. But, I'm almost certain she will never want to get off the bike. . .

Will that be a his and hers? Riding double is not the Savage's forte. On the other hand taking two m/c on a trip cuts the fuel mileage in half -- but adds tremendous safety benefits. Two bikes means that if one drops the other will be able to care for injuries, call for help, etc; if one bike breaks both can hop on the other and get parts, whatever.

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by PhotoProf on 08/21/07 at 06:09:48

I had a Honda 600VLX and between it and the S-40, the Suzuki is by far the most fun to ride. I don't know if I just got a bad 600 or what but it was slow to warm up and just very touchy when taking off. The fact that it was a 4-speed transmission probably didn't help. I liked the way the Honda looked and it sat fairly low. I would give the 600 the preference on quality of finish but overall, my vote goes to the S40 (plus it is considerably less $$).

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by forrest on 08/21/07 at 06:36:29

Unless you are both feather weights I wouldn't ride double on an S40.

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by thumperclone on 08/21/07 at 07:01:16

forrest wrote:

Unless you are both feather weights I wouldn't ride double on an S40.

wifeys' and me combined over 300# never a problem after i stiffened up the shocks(up to 4 out of 5).
we did go down in my mil drive,almost stopped,6" of gravel (wifey landed on her feet on the lawn)dont go up that drive any more even solo..

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by Pizza_King on 08/21/07 at 08:46:21

I doubt she will ride that often. I imagine some on weekends but for the most part it will be just me commuting to work, cruising around, with the occaisional trip out of town most likely with her.

I'm young and in college, I'm 5'8'' on a good day and weigh around 200. No accidents as of yet knock on wood just a speeding ticket in a 4x4 I use to own that had 40 inch tires and speedo was off 20mph. I DD a 6 speed trans am with the LS1 motor and haven't had any problems as of yet knock on wood again. I live in a small town with a population of around 8k. I only want the bike to ride to work, school, cruise, and some small trips no more than an hour away at this point. Savage has my eye b/c of cost. Going with a shadow will cost me atleast double the savage and since I'm new I didn't want to get in over my head.

Can I still consider a Savage or do I need to lean towards a shadow?

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by ratdog472 on 08/21/07 at 08:58:47

One thing that you might want to do is keep an eye on the used market. I have had this same debate for a long time. I am just over the lip of 300 (not for long) and the wife wants to ride with me. The Savage isn't going to do that. I was looking at an ACE the other day and that would have done it. Shadows are nice but you also need to take into account the shorter wheel base of the Savage and tighter turn radius of the Savage. These little thumpers are GREAT to learn on and inspire FAR more confidence than a 250cc. Either bike is a good choice but each one has it's faults and high points.

With that said I like the new 07 Shadow VT750C2:

http://powersports.honda.com/assets/images/model/c028_029_030_031_photos_all/motorcycles/2008/Shadow_Spirit_750_VT750C2/Medium/Shadow_Spirit_750_VT750C2_Ultra_Blue_Metallic.jpg

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by SavageDude on 08/21/07 at 09:35:02

Pizza_King wrote:

I think the prescription for you is a cheap used Savage/S40 until you have some saddle time and feel for the road you ride on M/C. You then can decide to upgrade to bigger/heavier bike.

I want bigger bike now but I would never get rid of my Savage. It's will be my fun-riding/back-up bike when I have bigger bike for long distance riding.

Good luck in your decision.

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by serowbot on 08/21/07 at 11:16:50

I think the Savage would suit your needs fine.
It's superior in every way to the vlx 600 Shadow, cheaper, lighter, better handling, more comfortable, faster, easier to maintain. The vlx has water cooling, and a v-twin "potato-potato-potato" exhaust sound, that's about it. Neither of these are advantages, to me, but they might be to some people.
A 750 Shadow is better on the highway, more power at 70mph+, but the passenger pillion is no better than the Savage.
You might consider a Yamaha 650 v-star for two up, but it's slower and heavier than the Savage.
I'd go with the Savage, and put a sheepskin pad on the pillion for wifey's comfort.
Actually, almost all bike's passenger seats are terrible, excepting luxury tourers..

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by Pizza_King on 08/21/07 at 12:17:40

Thanks for all the opinions guys. I think I'm going to stick with the savage or S40, whatevers around come Christmas time. I plan to pay cash for what I get that way insurance will be cheap.

Thanks again guys!

Kyle

Title: Re: Shadow vs Savage
Post by Polar_Pilot on 08/21/07 at 17:28:46

Pizza_King - your last posting is the best decision.
You can talk until you are blue in the face but in the end it will be your decision and yours alone.
One up, two up - I have ridden both ways successfully and happily.
Light and delightful to ride - absolutely
A fun ride - yes
Four speed ( mine is that or at least it was until I changed the engine) vs five speed - well the numbers on the 5 speed suggest it is a few hundred rpm lower at highway speed but that is not significant.
Get a scoot - ride it and love it
You and your partner will have a blast with any motorcycle - but I totally support your idea of going with an S40 Savage!
Enjoy your riding
Polar Pilot