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Message started by MAYES on 04/04/08 at 10:41:17

Title: Biggest Rider
Post by MAYES on 04/04/08 at 10:41:17

Hey Guys,great site,I'm new here and been out of riding for awhile.I bought a 1997 Savage w/7000 miles on it for only $1000.00,so I couldn't pass it up.Here is my question....Who is the biggest rider.I am 5'6" tall and weigh in at 220lbs,do you think i weigh to much for this bike? What if I have a rider is this going to be too much? And I was wondering if anyone knew a easy way to make the rear of the bike alittle higher to accomadate heavier riders? I appriciate any info you can share.Thanks :-/

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by bill67 on 04/04/08 at 10:45:31

You can get progressive shocks longer and difference weight springs. That would raise the rear up

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by sjaskow on 04/04/08 at 11:11:59

Well, I'm 5' 7" and 215 on a good day. I don't seem to have any issues with the suspension not having enough travel for me. I wouldn't want to put a rider on it though.

I had more issues with my dad's '64 Ducati 250 Monza. :)

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by MAYES on 04/04/08 at 11:16:53

I was just kinda worried about looking like an elephant riding an ant on it.I took it out the other day and a guy said,"What is that a little 250?" >:(

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by Reelthing on 04/04/08 at 11:33:33

had folks ask that one day when the '95 was parked, ignorance abounds

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by verslagen1 on 04/04/08 at 11:36:34

The rear shocks are adjustable.

1.jack the center of the bike up to take the load off the rear wheel.
2.remove the shock mt. nuts.
3.slip one shock off.
4.flip it upside down and install on top bolt only.
5.on the bottom chrome shield (which is now on the top side) there's a hole. Insert a pin and rotate one knotch (should go up a ramp)
6.reinstall and repeat with other side.

You're almost my weight (240 vs. 220) I use the 2nd highest setting.

As for passengers, I'd limit it to the lighter ones... [smiley=evil.gif]

A couple of fellas such as us might make the rear drag a bit.

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by bill67 on 04/04/08 at 11:40:06

How come your taking the shock off to adjust preload.You don't have to on the Boulevard s40 .

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by MAYES on 04/04/08 at 12:11:32

Thanks for the tip Verslagen1,I'll have to give that a shot.It's great to be a member on here,and be able to get advise,I looked at my shocks and wondered if they were adjustable,but I didn't think they were.Glad I asked thanks again guys 8-)

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by Reelthing on 04/04/08 at 12:25:42

here's a link to a tech doc on it

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1181745927#6

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by Savage_Rob on 04/04/08 at 13:16:07

I'm 5' 9" and 179 lbs now but I was riding my '98 Savage at 230 lbs a year ago and had no problems.

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by demin on 04/04/08 at 13:39:14

I'm 6'2",260ish,my g/f is about 110.Only time I've bottomed out is where they've done construction,and had a dip in the road I didn't see till it was too late.I have my Ed L forward controls extensions on,kicks the forward controls out 4".I'm happy.

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by rigidchop on 04/04/08 at 15:16:34

i'm 5'9" and have weighed as much as 215 and never had a problem bottoming mine. i enjoy some pretty spirited riding at times as well. i also have some Ed L. forwards and love them.

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by LANCER on 04/04/08 at 19:00:12

I was in the 212-215 range for a long time but am now down to 196 ... less than 20 lbs but they were hard fought suckers to get off my towering 5'6.5" body. Diabetes can make it real hard to get the fat off.
Anyway, the performance runs I have posted in the past were done when weighing 210+. I did have some issues with bottoming out in the rear until I put the progressives on, especially the 12.5" set.

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by Polar_Pilot on 04/04/08 at 19:03:15

6'4" and about 300 lbs - have the prelaod on the shocks set at the highest level - occasionally bottoms out - but not always - Like to tour with my Savage and have done 600 miles in a day- with a Protach backrest and an Airhawk seat cushion

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by bill67 on 04/04/08 at 19:17:13

The s40 does have really stiff spring,thats why at 165 pounds I was really getting pounded over even small bumps,Going to the progressive shocks made a big difference in comfort. I wonder whats its like for a small women,Its got to be rough.

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by thumperclone on 04/04/08 at 20:37:21

got my 06 set to stiffest for me and the wifey 2 up over 300# combined..when solo not too stiff for my 185# + of beer and steak gutt...

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by Educatedredneck on 04/04/08 at 22:19:32

I ran my stock shocks on my '97 at the highest setting last year, but after about knocking my fillings out several times, I'm gonna move down to the second highest setting (#4) or even the middle one (#3) to see if the ride is better.

BTW I'm 6'1" and 250 lbs, bike rides fine otherwise. Our Savages have enough motorvation to get us in lots of trouble with the man if we let them. ;D ;D

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by YonuhAdisi on 04/05/08 at 08:44:45

I'm 6'1 and weigh approximately 246lbs. Don't know what my shocks are set to because I bought the FireLizard from a pawn shop and the PO had obviously dumped it pretty bad. I can't even get to the pre-set adjustments because the shocks are so bent up.

Anyhow, I seem to have no problems with bottoming out and there are some pretty rough streets in my town.

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by MAYES on 04/05/08 at 10:48:15

Thanks guysI appricite all the feed back,always nice to get feed back from guys who know about our mean "lil"SAVAGES. 8-)

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by Rockin_John on 04/07/08 at 00:58:13

Looks like we only have one rider so far who reports being in the same weight class as me: I can probably reach a full 300# with full riding gear on (boots, suit, armor jacket and helmet).

Since I put the stock 87 shocks on the top notch of pre-load, I only recall bottoming them out one time on a really bad pot hole that I couldn't swerve and miss.

My 99 has stock shocks that have been cut down and lowered 3/4"-1" and at the highest pre-load they rarely bottom out; even with an added 50-60 pounds of gear on board:

http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/me_on_99.jpg

And it will cruise all day and night loaded like that at an indicated 75mph+ till it wears me out (300-350 miles)!! :o 8-)

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by skrapiron on 04/07/08 at 05:07:10

I'm 5'9" and tip the scales at 215lbs. With my stock shocks, I had the preload dialed up to its highest setting. The ride was rough and jarring, but it kept my oversize rear tire from bottoming out on the fender bolts.

When I switched to progresive shocks, I noticed a big difference right away. Solo, I could get a fairly consistent ride our of just the second preload setting. With my son in pillion (hes 88lbs), I turn it up to the third preload setting.

I can now ride with my wife in pillion without rubbing the side walls. Granted, I have to take it up to the 4th preload, but even with both of us on the back, it won't bottom. (Its not polite to talk about a lady's weight. But it takes my wife and BOTH kids on my bike to equal the sag created by just my son and I. You do the math.....)

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by Chopped on 04/07/08 at 08:54:54

Well I am 6'5" and 240. It looks a little funny with me driving the thing around. I am currently looking for a horn that plays circus music! The Clowns are Back In Town!

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by infrared41 on 04/07/08 at 19:02:45

Greetings fellow Savage owners. I just bought a 1997 Savage today. I'm 6' 3" 200 and it fits me just fine. I pick it up tomorrow and I can't wait to get out there on it.

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by MAYES on 04/07/08 at 19:17:58

Goodluck Infrared41,I'm sure you will love it.I'm new on this site too.but their is alot of good folks and good advise here.Welcome :)

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by Dj12midnit on 04/07/08 at 19:37:39

Checking in at 6'2" I am 295 with out gear. My 2006 is set 1 down from the top rides nice.

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by infrared41 on 04/07/08 at 22:31:19

464C40584452210 wrote:

Goodluck Infrared41,I'm sure you will love it.I'm new on this site too.but their is alot of good folks and good advise here.Welcome :)

I noticed you are from Ohio. So am I. I live near Mansfield. What about you?

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by drums1 on 04/09/08 at 17:45:09

I'm 6'1" and 250ish. My '87 rides nice. I feel kinda big on it, but I have not had any adverse comments yet....I did get 1 dirty look from the Harley rider and his hefty passenger as I passed him on the highway going 65. ;D

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by verslagen1 on 04/09/08 at 19:14:22

I saw a 400# porker riding a Hog not to long ago.

So we have quite a ways to go, and that's a good thing. ;D

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by Soon on 04/09/08 at 20:22:15

Im most likey the smallest rider at 4'11 at 120lbs ;D and boy can I get the bike going!!

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by rpgpgmr on 04/10/08 at 07:31:24

I'm 6' and 235 lbs. I LOVE my Thumper. I may perhaps install the forward controls in the near future, but it's not necessarily uncomfortable for me the way that it is now. I've put almost 6600 miles on it in less than 12 months.

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by NikoruWiriamu on 04/29/08 at 04:45:30

Well, I'm 5"5..and of course a woman can't reveal her weight ;)

But, I can say my seat is pretty much falling apart at the seams now, and it runs hard as well. (That's what I get for wearing a chained wallet). I haven't adjusted the shocks, mainly because I don't/didn't know how to. :-[

Anyway, where can I get shocks and seats that are..descently priced for a ..small budget? :)

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by skatnbnc on 04/29/08 at 10:49:27

I'm 5'4" and will not say how much I weigh, but the ride is fine; no bottoming out. I did put a gel seat on to replace the stock. That alone made enough difference for me to ride all day without too much monkey-butt going on. ;)

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by Keith_T on 04/29/08 at 13:11:30

5F474D58424E424F2C0 wrote:

From your sig pic I don't think you remotely qualify for being the "biggest" rider in any sense of the term. ;)

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by eanon on 04/29/08 at 14:23:11

I'm 6'1", 185 lbs, and ride 50+ miles a day, if not a LOT more, on the 2nd softest setting. I've bottomed out once in 9 months. ;)

Title: Re: Biggest Rider
Post by grandpa on 04/30/08 at 00:06:01

You are fine - I was 6' and 326 lbs when I bought my 06. Thanks to a gastric bypass I am down to 274. Best thing I have done for myself and suzi. I don't care what other people think. I mostly commute due to my work schedule and family committments. The bike is a blast and easy to work on. Have fun and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!