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Message started by David Levi on 04/17/08 at 05:56:48

Title: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by David Levi on 04/17/08 at 05:56:48

Hi Everyone!

I bought a 2007 s40 about a month ago, and I fell on these forums while googling the heck out of it...I love some of the mod and maintenance threads, they'll be really helpful in the coming months!

One thing I have noticed is the bike is prone to swerving in high winds (over 50mph). I checked my tire pressure a few times, and the dealership filled them both to 35 pounds, and they haven't deflated yet :). The manual says 29/33, do you think deflating to recommended would help the situation?

And why the hell would the shop inflate them over?

Nice to meet you all BTW!

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by DanGill on 04/17/08 at 06:07:25

5D555C4F50390 wrote:

And why the hell would the shop inflate them over?

Because they don't know what they're doing?

Welcome to the site. Bring the pressure down to the recommended level and try it. But you're going to find that the bike moves around quite a bit in the wind anyway. It's a very light bike.

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by Paladin. on 04/17/08 at 06:18:58

To maintain the proper contact patch *ALL* pneumatic tires have to be inflated to a pressure to match the weight they are carrying. Too high and the tire is too hard and will contribute a little to the bike feeling skittish. Too low and the bike will be wobbly.

At 500-550 pounds road weight the wind may affect you. I did not notice any such on my LA-OKC-LA trip but that most likely was a combination of my knowing how the wind affects the bike and correction as it happens instead of after it happens, and that as long as I stay in my lane I don't care!

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by Savage_Rob on 04/17/08 at 06:23:14

Congratulations on your new bike and welcome! Definitely use the recommended pressures. It's a very lightweight bike and is prone to being blown by high winds. I've become accustomed to it, as have a lot of folks. You might consider a fork brace for added stability but it won't stop you from being moved by high winds.

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by Reelthing on 04/17/08 at 06:31:19

6860697A650C0 wrote:

One thing I have noticed is the bike is prone to swerving in high winds (over 50mph)

Winds over 50mph or the bike speed over 50mph? I assume bike speed as I'm not getting on the Savage at 50mph wind speed

Heavy winds tend to make you get a death grip on the controls - this makes it worse - as your knocked around by the wind a tight grip on throttle will cause the engine speed to vary and surge - try to keep your hands a bit open -

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/17/08 at 06:43:39

Which requires a conscious disconnect between the sphincter muscles & the hand.

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by David Levi on 04/17/08 at 06:53:51

To be honest I don't completely know what I am doing either...I'll definitely drop the pressure before I climb back on after work.

Would you suggest adding weight to the bike, or just staying under 65?

I could eat more, get my 150lbs up to 225? ;D

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by Reelthing on 04/17/08 at 07:09:36

get the tire psi correct and check it often outside temp effects them a great deal and they'll drop some over say a month anyway - weekly check is good thing to do, ride a lot as much as you can. As the time comes look to upgrade the footing of the bike - fork brace, higher end tires, better dampened shocks, but likely most important is time on the bike - think about how many hours you've spent at the wheel of a car - and you really don't think about how to drive it all the time just when something abnormal happens - bike gets to be a lot the same way - you have to remain focused on a bike to be sure but the subconscious will start to help you operate it once it has done it enough

on the speed - these bikes are likely the happiest at around 55mph - but depending on where you are that may get you run over

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by Savage_Rob on 04/17/08 at 07:10:40

4E464F5C432A0 wrote:

To be honest I don't completely know what I am doing either...

If you haven't done so, you might consider taking the MSF Basic Rider's Course.

http://www.msf-usa.org/

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by David Levi on 04/17/08 at 07:24:55

Thanks for the suggestions. I have had the bike less than a month and I've logged 350 miles so far. The only gaff I've had so far is someone bumping the back of the bike with their car because they were unhappy that I did not pull into the middle of an intersection during a green light for a left hand turn. To that point I just waited at the white line so I could have a wider turning area. Plus, doing this didn't leave me stranded in oncoming traffic.

The basic course I consider very important, and I am signed up for it, in September! The waiting list was pretty long. A few friends told me I should try to walk in, which I might try if my schedule lets up. Or, I could pay $300 to a H-D place that offers it locally, unfortunately, I find them a bit pompous though...

No offense to the H-D guys.

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by Keith_T on 04/17/08 at 07:54:00

242C253629400 wrote:

Yikes, pretty aggressive drivers near you. I used to be an MSF instructor. The classes usually have 1 open spot and 10 people wanting to get in in the spring. By August it gets much easier to be a walk in.

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by David Levi on 04/17/08 at 08:07:23

Usually people here are pretty laid back (Columbus, OH), as long as the Bucks are winning anyway. I was just in a part of town where some people don't give a rat...

It was an eye opener though. Rear view mirrors get much more use now than they did before at a stop...

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by ALfromN.H. on 04/17/08 at 08:15:16

I'm kinda like the UPS drivers when it comes to making left hand turns. I avoid them whenever possible.

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by rpgpgmr on 04/17/08 at 08:35:19

Welcome. I'm fairly new to the site too. The people on here have been a tremendous help to me during my recent upgrades. And DanGill is right, those service guys at your shop probably didn't know what they were doing when they over-inflated your tires. Definitely fix that ASAP. I'm pretty lucky because our local dealership is very well trained.

Wind is going to be a problem no matter what you do. I ride about 8 miles to work each morning on a highway that runs right beside a river ... crazy high winds. I'm like Paladin, as long as I stay in my lane, I'm happy. I avoid the Interstate 99% of the time. It's just too windy up there and the 18-wheelers blow me all over the road. A little over 55 is where I draw the line (unless I'm passing somebody).

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by David Levi on 04/17/08 at 08:59:57

Yeah, thanks for the welcome and welcome yourself! I saw you have a v-star classic, that has to do a little better on the highway. I am commuting about 3-4 miles to work on the bike. It rocks, and it's all in city.

I will be taking the bike south down 23, which is pretty much 55 the whole way. I had no intention of taking it on a freeway though. I'm not brave enough for that bit of craziness.

I really have zero complaints about this bike, it was between this and a Honda VLX (price dropped), and this one just "fit" better. I'm a big fan so far...

And avoid left hand turns, totally noted...

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by bill67 on 04/17/08 at 10:18:49

I had a Honda xlv it was better on freeways,But I like the Boulevard S40 better overall,I think this bike has to much weight in back compare to the front why it feels so light over 60mph. I run 2 pounds of air less than what they say because I weight 165,I think they play it safe for a 250 pound person.

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by sjaskow on 04/17/08 at 10:38:45

I've got almost 1900 miles on an '06 S40 that I bought last summer. The only wind issues I have are passing really big trucks, i.e semi, dump, etc. at highway speeds. And by highway speeds, I mean 65-70.

One of the things mentioned in the BRC (OH's version of the MSF) is to relax when it's windy or the road has grooves. I try to practice that and it helps a lot.

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 04/17/08 at 10:38:57

David -

I'm in Columbus area too. Office in Dublin, live in Powell area.

Where are you?

My bike gets delivered from the seller on Sun. I'm taking MSF course in Delaware in May.

Gimme a call if convenient - office is 614-798-1600.

Good to know ya.

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/17/08 at 10:52:06

Somebody actually touched your bike with their car because they were trying to "Herd" you on along? My kickstand might have gone down as I inspected the "crash" for damage. I dont know what I would have done, but I can assure you, I would have been furious. I wonder if the driver would have been okay with someone shoving him, walking down a crowded hall & upon asking why being told" You werent walking fast enough". Wadddaaaa Jerk!

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by Gary On A Savage on 04/17/08 at 11:35:18

2A33382A32362E590 wrote:

Ditto's on the RELAX. I think most of the time it just FEELS like the wind is blowing you around. I know the wind is blowing, and we feel like are being moved by it...but it isn't as bad as it feels. Relaxing on the bike (especially your grip) will help the feeling. I've ridden past semis that have felt like I was going to sucked under them or blown into the other lane. Once you get used to the feeling you realize that the wind is not affecting you as much as it feels like.

Reminds me of a song.... (singly badly off key) "Feelings, nothing more than feelings...." ;D

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by rpgpgmr on 04/17/08 at 13:30:49

Yea, the V-Star does the handle the Interstate better, but only because it's bigger and heavier. I think the V-Star's are beautiful bikes (which is why my Fiance and I bought one) but I'm not comfortable on it. I just don't think they fit me very well. But it's her bike so as long as she's happy, I'm happy. My Savage will out run it, out stop it, and out maneuver it. Plus parts & accessories for the S40 are a lot cheaper than for most bikes. Pretty much everything for the V-Star is about twice what it is for my Thumper. I will buy many other bikes throughout the rest of my days, but I'll never part with my S40.

You may not know it yet, but you're going to become obsessed with it. Enjoy. :)

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by steely on 04/17/08 at 15:19:42

Welcome to the forum. There is a wealth of information and know-how here.

6E7177706D6A5B6B5B63717D36040 wrote:

Yeah, I think I would have had to stop and treat it as if they had rear ended me. Cops and all...

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by Jimmer on 04/17/08 at 16:01:42

Welcome to the Savage Nation. Keep reading this sight,lots of great help and tech advise.I found the the recommended tire pressures work fine for me.Also my savage handles very well in the 55 to 65 mph range.Have fun with your bike. Take your time and learn about your bike and let the bike learn about you. Again welcome aboard. Ride strong, Ride proud,and Ride safe.

Title: Re: Hmmm...Instant Community
Post by TheFid on 04/18/08 at 03:04:21

Designed tyre pressures are crucial for the correct usage of your machine.
Overinflation will make your ride less comfortable,and reduces the size of the patch of tyre in contact with the road,upsetting handling.It can also lead to premature tyre wear.
Under inflation accelerates tyre wear,ruins handling, raises fuel consumption and lowers top speed.
This applies to all makes of bike.