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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Final decision time
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Message started by keithert on 04/02/08 at 10:52:48

Title: Final decision time
Post by keithert on 04/02/08 at 10:52:48

I finally got to ride the Savage I've been looking at since February for 30 minutes. After lifting the bars my upper body was totally comfortable. My leg position was okay. Up to 50 mph the bike felt fine powerwise. It got a little buzzy after that. I had it up to 70 though and it did it no problem. In the meantime I have also negotiated a deal on a new leftover 06 Kawasaki Vulcan 900. That bike will likely be perfect for me, but it is almost 3 times the cost of the Savage. What to do!

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by skrapiron on 04/02/08 at 10:56:49

Buy the Savage. Invest $400.00 into new shocks, carb mods and a seat lift, then pocket the rest....

The more I ride my Savage, the happier I am I didn't get the bigger bikes I was looking at.

The Savage gets better gas mileage, handles 100 times better in traffic, is a breeze to park, is the least stolen bike in America (per insurace industry survey) and its paid for!

The last part is what I like best. I'm not forking out $200.00 a month for the next 4 years for a bike that is normally only ridden 6 months out of the year! (ok, so i ride mine year round, but hey, I'm nuts!)

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/02/08 at 11:11:25

The 650 rips across town quickly, nimble & light, easy on the gas money. When gas gets to $5.00 a gallon, the MPG difference between the 650 & the 900 will make ya cry.

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by furious70 on 04/02/08 at 11:21:10

From all reports the 900's are great bikes. I'd actually like to see one in the garage instead of the savage for my wife. You get efi, plenty of smooth, usable power, and a bike that can reasonably go cross country and 2 up with no issues.

The Savage does have advantages, mostly what is mentioned here already, great first bike, great for short/slight folks, good mpg. IMO it is not a bike to comfortably ride all day on or at interstate speed (having done it with my wife's).
Depends on your usage, if you just want to cruise around town and have some fun on the bike, no need to spend more than for the savage if it fits you. If you are, or want to become a long triper and are a decent sized guy, want the efi vs. a carb that does need periodic work (again, from experience), or want to go 2 up for more than a very short trip, the 900 is a great bike.
Not trying to rain on the parade of Savage, just my opinion of them having one in the garage. Other people on this site have gone to great lengths to modify the Savage to fit them, so much so that if you took the time and $ both into account, a different bike wouldn't have looked so expensive.

Looks like you're in the Chicagoland area too maybe? The latest Cyclefocus mag had some leftover 900's listed at $5995 which should mean you can do even better in person. Those will probably sell quickly with the weather turning now. I'd have a hard time turning down a 900 for $5500 new vs any Savage if you had the money in the bank.

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by skrapiron on 04/02/08 at 11:23:46

58.823mpg on my last tank.... Thats still using 'winter blend' gas. Those numbers will be back in the low 60s by memorial day...

I ask some of the guys I ride with what they get. My buddys Nomad gets a whopping 39mpg. Even though it has a 5.5 gallon tank, he has to fill up just as often as I do. The difference is, my bill is around $6.00 and his is over $30.00.

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by furious70 on 04/02/08 at 11:28:20

c'mon now....let's keep the truth in numbers. 60mpg vs. 39 is 35% advantage, not the 500% you indicate with the $6 and $30.

When taking it easy on a group ride, I tickle upper 40's on my Mean Streak. I have to beat it pretty hard to drop below 40. And it's a heck of a lot more bike than the savage or 900.

Doing occasional pleasure cruising (80% city riding) my wife's Savage hovers around 50mpg. I'm sure it'd do better running a full tank down the road at 55-60, but she doesn't do that kind of riding.

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by skrapiron on 04/02/08 at 11:33:13

3122253E3822246067570 wrote:

The Savage does have advantages, mostly what is mentioned here already, great first bike, great for short/slight folks, good mpg. IMO it is not a bike to comfortably ride all day on or at interstate speed (having done it with my wife's).

I have put over 17,000 miles on my Savage since July of last year. My longest one-day ride was from Pittsburgh to Kings Mt., Nc. It took me a little over 11 hours to get there, but my Savage had no trouble handling the trip.

You speak of the guys modding their savages and spending big $$$ to do so? Shocks: $250.00 shipped (progressive suspension) Carb mods: $40.00 for K&N filter, spacer mod (free), $8.00 for new jets. Seat mod: #7 bottle stoppers, $2.99. Exhaust: Harley take off pipe, $30.00. Long Distance comfort: Factory engine guard, $89.00 Kuyikan offset highway pegs, $105.00.

So, what, for $525.00, I have a Savage that has plenty of power to ride with the big boys (I know it does because I do it all the time), gets nearly twice the mileage that the big boys do, is more comfortable to ride than most stock bikes and its paid for. Heck, most serious riders spend more than I have in total on my bike for just a seat!

Don't be doggin the Savage. Its a better bike than most people give it credit for.......

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by keithert on 04/02/08 at 11:35:25

My 02 Nomad 1500 usually got 38 mpg. Seems like guys on the 900's are getting 42-45.

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by skrapiron on 04/02/08 at 11:39:56

Fat finger on the figure. The 2 is right next to the 3 on the keypad....
4.925 gallons of premium gas at $3.699 per gallon was $18.21. Rounded off, thats nearly $20.00.

There is a big difference in the operating cost between the two..... I remember when $20.00 would fill my Accord. Now it barely buys 5 gallons of premium.....

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by skrapiron on 04/02/08 at 11:44:54

I look at it this way. I have just over $2100.00 wrapped up in my bike. Thats everything, purchase price, performance mods, comfort mods, everything.

I know guys that I ride with that took brand new $12,000 Vstars and put that much in upgrades onto brand new bikes! (Mustang seats, vance&hines pipes, ECU upgrade for fuel injection, wind screen, engine guard, highway pegs, chrome accents, etc)

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by furious70 on 04/02/08 at 11:54:14

If you look at my post I said time and $. I am a hobbyist, and am comfortable doing my own work on most things. Seems like a lot of people on this site are the same way. Not all people are like that. You'd be into days of labor at a shop to have all that done if you don't have the skills, tools, or garage to do it in. That's what I was trying to say, and it should be factored into the decision for anyone who isn't happy with the bike in stock form.
Shop rate is about $75/hr wherever you go, it adds up in a real hurry.

I'm not doggin the bike, just trying to give an objective opinion of the bike in it's stock form and the time investment to do some of the stuff shown on this site. Remember, I have one in the garage, it is _exactly_ the right bike for my wife to have started out on.

35% mpg advantage

you can go ~97mi on $6 @ $3.69/gal @60mpg
He needs 2.48gal to go that 97mi, totalling $9.17

if you're using cheap gas it's a little wider spread if he's on premium.

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by furious70 on 04/02/08 at 11:57:44

sticker on a NEW s40 is $4400. Prices on used vs. new bikes aren't that relavant.

And, not trying to offend anyone. Just trying to take a little edge off the emotional aspect of a purchase here, and of some diehards true to the bike. If you go to a forum for the 900's you'll be told why you shouldn't even consider the Savage I'm sure ;D

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by T Mack 1 on 04/02/08 at 12:33:39

3638342935382F295D0 wrote:

So..... the 900 would give more power and may be more comfortable. The 650 would probably be cheaper to maintain. It's not an easy decision.

Did you get insurance costs yet? The LS650 is one of the cheaper bike to insure.

Also, I know the LS650 has been unchanged for long time so getting used parts is fairly easy......

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by Hutch on 04/02/08 at 12:44:47

It cost me about $10/yr more to insure my 2000 W650 Kawasaki, than the Savage. It handles just as good, only weighs 70lbs more and gets 70mpg. It handles the expressway with no problem at 75mph with 4,000rpm left. Plenty left for passing, NOW, not in a half a mile.. No problems with wind around semi's. I paid $3000 for my first one, and am in the "decision" thing about a second 2000 W650, with 5000 miles for $4000. I hate to see the Savage sold, or any other of my bikes, but need to thin my herd of bikes down. The Savage is a great bike if used for what it was intended, 55-65mph and solo rider. I like the comfort and extra power of the W650 on long hauls at freeway speed, with a passenger. Just to reiterate, I love my Savage, but not on the interstate. The decision is yours, depending on what you want to do with the bike. Don't you just love dilemas??? Hutch

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by keithert on 04/02/08 at 13:00:49

5E27476B69613B0A0 wrote:

[quote author=3638342935382F295D0 link=1207158768/0#0 date=1207158768]

Did you get insurance costs yet? The LS650 is one of the cheaper bike to insure.

The 900 would be $250 a year. That's about a cheap as it gets in Chicago.

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by bill67 on 04/02/08 at 13:22:53

If your going to do in long driving over 65mph,
s40 isn't the bike for you.

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by skrapiron on 04/02/08 at 14:18:22

I can use 87 octane. The 900 recommends premium. The more you ride, the more expensive it becomes to operate the 900.

Insurance? I pay $200/year for 3 bikes through progressive. Full coverage 50/100/50 limits with 5k medical. The Savage is the cheapest of the bunch at $65.00 for the year.

As for mods, anyone with a screwdriver and a basic rachet set can do what I did to the Savage. It doesn't take a shop $75/hr to shave the spacer and rejet the carb. I learned to do that when I was 10. I taught my daughter to do it when she was 8. There are 2 things people need to work on their own bikes. Basic tools and a little bit of confidence. More often than not, its the confidence thats lacking..

You're darned right that we get defensive when people start dumping the Savage into this catergory or that. It is SO much more of a bike than people are willing to give credit for. It is just as capable as any 1800cc cruiser you care to name. No it won't carry 2 adults at 80mph across the country. But thats not what its intended for. It is a lightweight, inexpensive cruiser. It will comfortably take a solo rider to the speed limit and will ride there all day long.

Nothing gets my hackles up more than when I hear someone say it's a girl's bike or its a good starter bike. No. A good starter bike is the eliminator 125. Once you've ridden one of those for a year or so, the Savage feels like a bloody rocketship......

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by Hutch on 04/02/08 at 15:50:36

726F6E79721A0 wrote:

I just bought the second W650. Looks like I will own 2 W650's, one will get chopped and the new one left stock. The 1967 Royal Enfield 750 Interceptor MK1A will be kept and I will finish restoring it. The BSA 441, 650 Triumph chopper,120hp custom, Royal Enfield 500 Bullet,and lastly the Savage will all be forsale. That will save me a ton on insurance and plates.Keithert, good luck on making your decision. Hutch

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by Paladin. on 04/02/08 at 18:08:47

7D737F627E736462160 wrote:

... Savage
... Vulcan 900.
... What to do!

Where and how do you intend to ride? The Savage is a killer city bike that can handle the superslab. I would imagine that the Vulcan is a killer superslab bike that can handle the city. What are your priorities?

(Ideal solution is to get both.)

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by Jonny_Chicago on 04/02/08 at 21:43:27

My opinion, anything over 750cc mine-as-well buy a car.

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by Trippah on 04/03/08 at 05:40:28

Hey Hutch, sonds like you are moving on to slightly more hyway-less byway rides..Twins vs singles..your 650 kawasakis seems like updates of your triumph 650..have you looked into the modern triumph twins?

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by Hutch on 04/03/08 at 06:45:28

4C6A7168687970180 wrote:

I took a Triumph Bonneville for a ride when I picked up the first W650 in WI. To big and bulky, They put on weight from the 60's, just like me. The W650 went head to head with a 800cc Triumph Bonneville in a road test and the 650 was only a few thousanths slower in the 1/4 mile and top speed very close. The 50HP helps out there. The W650 just seems to handle better IMHO, is lighter, cheaper to insure,performs the same as the 800 Triumph, and if I need parts, the dealer is only 10 miles away. The nearest Triumph dealer is over 100 miles away. The W650 looks more like a 60's Triumph than the new Triumphs. The W650 was only imported here from 1999-2001. You know how I like unique bikes. You can buy a new one in any other country. When Triumph started building bikes they quit sending them to the U.S., but continued to make them for other countries, so parts are not a problem. If I hadn't liked the bike so much, I sure wouldn't have bought 2. I just can't quit riding chopper/bobbers(just been my favorite bike for to many years), and wanted to chop the first one. It should realy fly when put on a diet.I didn't want to lose my long distance cruiser, so, since I liked it so much, I had to buy a second stock one. I will have a ton of parts left over from the chop job, and won't have to buy different oil,air filters, or plugs all the time. I will have my 50HP highway bike, my 50HPchopped byway bike, and my 60HP 750 Interceptor for nostalgia rides. I will also have about $30,000 to pay on my house from the sale of the other 5 bikes. It just made sense to me. It was a long hard decision. I just get to attached to my bikes. Hutch

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by keithert on 04/03/08 at 07:05:11

I should also add some personal information here. I have a 98 Jeep Wrangler, an 06 Miata and a boring sedan. I should probably get the Savage because it will do what I need it to and leave money leftover to maintain the fleet.

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by T Mack 1 on 04/03/08 at 09:43:12

3D333F223E332422560 wrote:

.......a man with toys...... you'll fit in here.... buy the Savage ... do the Mod's ..... worst case , sell it in a year or two. ;D

Spend the extra mony on the wife & kids...... [smiley=happy.gif]

Title: Re: Final decision time
Post by furious70 on 04/03/08 at 10:03:00

Quote:

You're darned right that we get defensive when people start dumping the Savage into this catergory or that.

My bike fits into a certain category (power cruisers, even if short on the power), and that's fine with me. Heck, call it too big, wasteful, whatever you like. That's why I own mine and you own yours, and my wife owns hers. No need to take it as a personal offense.