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Message started by keithert on 02/14/08 at 10:52:03

Title: Rode one today
Post by keithert on 02/14/08 at 10:52:03

I got to ride the bike I'm most likely buying soon. It is an 04 Savage. It had been sitting in a garage since November. When I first tried to start it the petcock was in the normal run position. It wouldn't start so I moved it to PRI and it started right up. With the choke I was able to ride off in a couple minutes. The first thing that struck me was how comfortable the riding position was. I was expecting to feel a little cramped. I am 5' 11". I previously owned a Virago and this bike felt more comfortable. The bike felt bigger than it is. I rode it for a couple miles. The streets were wet with snow melt. I was a little afraid of black ice so I took it easy. The fastest I got up to was 35 but it was acceptably smooth and had enough power. All in all I was very impressed with the ride. I can't wait for the warm weather!!

http://www.keithert.com/pics/savage/Photo_021408_003.jpg
http://www.keithert.com/pics/savage/Photo_021408_005.jpg
http://www.keithert.com/pics/savage/Photo_021408_010.jpg

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by mornhm on 02/14/08 at 11:06:10

That's a nice looking ride. Looks like someone had the polishing rag out.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/14/08 at 12:43:51

Looks good. Spose its time to get it off of prime? Sitting that long, needs an oil change if there were any miles on the oil when it was parked.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by forrest on 02/14/08 at 12:45:07

Looks like a nice bike.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by keithert on 02/14/08 at 12:47:58

524D4B4C51566757675F4D410A380 wrote:

Looks good. Spose its time to get it off of prime? Sitting that long, needs an oil change if there were any miles on the oil when it was parked.

I put the petcock back to the vertical normal position. That would cut off gas flow when the engine wasn't running wouldn't it? The bike only has 600 miles. I will change the oil to synthetic when I get it home.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/14/08 at 12:57:27

Yea, vac actuated petcork, no real OFF position, but PRI is a steady flow to the carb, so it can run into the intake & flood the crank with oil, seriously screwing with the lubrication! Someone took care of it, Nice looking little dude.

HEY!! he wrote petcock & it worked! When did that start?

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by T Mack 1 on 02/14/08 at 13:12:03

Nice......... I see slight discolored pipe. Means the carb is stock (lean !!!!!).

The carb mod's listed in the Tech section will make the bike even more enjoyable........ ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by Kix on 02/14/08 at 15:01:12

71086844464E14250 wrote:

Nice......... I see slight discolored pipe. Means the carb is stock (lean !!!!!).

The carb mod's listed in the Tech section will make the bike even more enjoyable........ ;D ;D ;D

I "second" that!

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by Rogue_Cheddar on 02/15/08 at 09:21:04

76696F6875724373437B69652E1C0 wrote:

He said petcock! Heh heh heh heh heh! :D

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by stinger on 02/16/08 at 02:12:02

I third that! Loose that 200 lb stock muffler that makes it sound like a lawn mower and replace it with either a supertrapp, jardine or harley muffler, and rejet it. You wont be sorry, and isnt all that expensive.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by keithert on 02/16/08 at 17:29:54

I rode the bike quite a bit more today. I was on it for about 45 minutes. I got it up to 60 mph briefly. Most of the time I was going between 30 and 40 mph in my Dad's subdivision. Getting it going 45 was not a problem. The handling was nice and light. At first it felt good, but after about 20 minutes the back part of the seat was bugging me. I have had a terrible time finding seats that I like on most of my bikes. The Corbin's I've had I've liked though. The bike just felt a little too small. I'm thinking that with the forward controls that Ed L is making it might be much better. I also will likely replace the seat and bar. Has anyone here adapted a Corbin seat to the Savage?

After today's ride I'm not quite as sold on the bike. I still like it, especially for the money I would be paying but part of me wonders if i should find a nice 80's UJM that might fit me better.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by sluggo on 02/16/08 at 18:16:39

hell i got a petcock that's a real pregnant dog.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by Ed L. on 02/16/08 at 19:37:38

Looks like it could use the seat lift mod for less monkey butt and more leg room.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by joebothehobo on 02/17/08 at 01:01:41

2F2835323B392E5C0 wrote:

Interesting that you say lawn mower, i've heard the Buell Blast (Harley's 500cc sportbike thumper) compared to a lawn mower, but never the savage. i've more often heard it compared to a sewing machine (which I i think is pretty dead on).

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by keithert on 02/22/08 at 19:39:56

I had planned to ride the bike again tomorrow for a half hour or so to make my final decision and then to get the money together. Today I got a message from my Dad's wife who owns the bike that she was not happy about me being in their house when they were away even though my Dad had given me permission. She doesn't want me there until they get back at the beginning of April. That is 5 weeks! The weather here won't get good until then, but if I have to wait that long I may end up finding another bike.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by verslagen1 on 02/22/08 at 20:52:03

And you think she's gonna give you a good price? :o

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by keithert on 02/23/08 at 07:06:59

The price has already been agreed upon. If it changes I walk. I'm kind of pissed about the whole situation right now.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by T Mack 1 on 02/23/08 at 08:28:44

If they're gone for 5 weeks, I would think you would have to wait anyway. How would you do the title transfer?

5 weeks,...... that's like first week of April... perfect riding weather ;D

Get the money together, bank it and make some interest. Then in five weeks if you decide you don't like the bike, find another.... an April test drive is usually nicer....

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by keithert on 02/23/08 at 10:45:32

My Dad took the title with so he could sign it and mail it to me. I spent this morning looking at some older UJM's. They would come with new tires and a carb cleaning but the price would only be 500 -700 less than I am paying for the nearly new Savage. Also the back position on the bikes would put my spine in a slightly bent forward position. I think at this stage of my life a cruiser is what my back needs. So I will either have to wait until they get back or see if I can arrange to mail the check and get permission to pick up the bike.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by Dynobob on 02/23/08 at 18:41:28

29272B362A273036420 wrote:

At first it felt good, but after about 20 minutes the back part of the seat was bugging me.

Perfectly normal. The stock seat is a torture device. You can do the seat lift mod, put on a stock Sportster seat, or get an Airhawk pad. The stock seat is horrid. The rest of the bike is great! Exhaust, rejet, and some improvement in the seating and you'll have a great bike.

Good luck on your quest. Ride safe when the roads aren't very good. Don't want to wreck the bike before it's paid for.

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by Hutch on 02/24/08 at 07:33:16

Keith, If you are going to keep the stock bars, by all means change or lift the front of the seat. The problem is the stock buckhorn or the pullback drag bars are to far to the rear of the bike. They make you lean back on the high part of the seat to get your arms comfortable, and that gives you monkey butt. I you go with upright bars or just turn the stock drag bar risers around so they don't pullback, you will find the stock seat is fine. When riding a bike your back should be straight up and down, or slightly forward to get the spring in it. If you are leaned back, your back will not "spring", and all your weight is on the back of your butt. The bars, in either stock configuration, are not made for anyone over 5'4" or with long arms. I would post a pic if my web host would work right. It also would dispell the myth of 12" apehangars being above your head. Hutch

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by Hutch on 02/24/08 at 16:24:19

Keith, here is pic of me on the Savage with no seat mod and taller bars. These bars are 12" high with 1 and1/2" risers. As you can tell the bike is on the kickstand. If you bring my right arm down halfway to the left arm that is where your arms are at when the bike is level. Your arms are at shirt pocket level, and your back is straight from not leaning back, like with the stock buckhorn, or the pullback drag bars on the S-40. As I said I am 5'10" and 150lbs. Hutch I'm watching the travel channel since it is mid winter here in the great state of Michigan. You can always pretend.

http://w3.bikepics.com/pics/2008/02/24/bikepics-1195447-800.jpg

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by keithert on 02/25/08 at 06:28:06

Thanks for the posts. How much did you have to lengthen your cables/hoses for the bars?

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by Hutch on 02/25/08 at 07:22:12

I did not have to lenghten the wiring at all, that was a good thing. The throttle was made 3" longer, and the clutch and front brake line were both made 7" longer. That was for the S-40 drag bars. The cables on the buckhorn bars are a different length so I don't know about them. Lancer can give you an idea about that. That is who I ordered them through. They are made by Barnett. The end of the throttle cable is different from the drag bars where it hooks into the throttle grip at the bars also. If you have different cables made, be sure to specify if your bike is a Savage or a Boulevard S-40 to get the correct throttle end. The one thing that I realy like about the bars(I use apehangars a lot) is that you no longer steer with your entire upper body. All you have to do is straighten your elbows or nudge your shoulders for quick moves. With stock bars it is like steering an old tiller type boat and pushing the bars sideways. I found that out years ago when I was a kid, and had a bicycle with banana seat and monkey bars. It was much easier to steer than the low bars on my buddies bike. As long as you don't go nuts and get 14" or higher bars(I did that) they are very comfortable and much easier to steer with. Just my 2 cents. I will post another pic from a different angle. They look real high, but are not as you can tell from where my arms are at when I am seated on the bike. Another reason I like those type bars, is you can roll your leather jacket up and put it between the cables and bars without using bunjie chords. That comes in handy in the spring and fall in Michigan. Hutch

http://w3.bikepics.com/pics/2007/10/17/bikepics-1058605-800.jpg

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by keithert on 02/25/08 at 09:59:03

Michigan is looking a lot greener than Chicago! ;D

Title: Re: Rode one today
Post by Hutch on 02/25/08 at 10:37:34

Keith, unfortunately the pic was taken last fall. We still have 10" of snow with 5" more coming tonight. At least the first 2 foot melted down finaly. Right now about 10' in front of where the bike is parked in the picture, there is a 8 foot pile of snow. When you drive in my drive way you have a wall of snow on each side that was shoved off the drive.The scaper actualy got down to the ashphalt 2 days ago in front of my house. I haven't seen the asphalt in 3 weeks. Hutch