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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Scratch that one off the list. /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1215461955 Message started by skrapiron on 07/07/08 at 13:19:15 |
Title: Scratch that one off the list. Post by skrapiron on 07/07/08 at 13:19:15 On the way home, I stopped at a bike shop out on the east side of town. They had a used XV650 (Yamaha V-Star classic) on the lot and I went in to take a test ride. Compared to the Savage, the thing is a tank. It weighs almost 200lbs more than the Savage making it hard to hold up in a slow speed turn. It is IMPOSSIBLE to move up any kind of an incline without dismounting. The riding position is stretched out and very comfortable. The stock saddle is wide and supportive. But thats about all the bright spots....... Once I got it on the road, I kept asking myself "Where's the power????" I had the throttle pegged and it was barely accelerating. It accelerated slowly and without fanfare. I got to a stoplight and tried to shift down through the gears. The transmission is so vague, I had no idea if I was in gear or not. Once I got on the freeway, I really began to regret my choice. It was ALLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTT smoother at 60mph than my Savage, but it took about 15 seconds to accelerate up to it. Once I was up to speed, it was quiet (the engine was only turning about 2500 rpm) but when I cracked the throttle to try to pass a slow semi, all the bike did was get louder. It would not accelerate up hill! I got it back to the dealer where I smiled and politely asked for my keys back. When the sales man asked why, I told him flat out, my wife's 150cc scooter accelerated better and there's no way I want to swing that much weight around on a daily basis. Long live my Savage! |
Title: Re: Scratch that one off the list. Post by Keith_T on 07/07/08 at 13:46:59 Interesting. I've considered a V-Star 650 because the price is good and it looks to be more comfortable than the Savage. On paper the 0-60 is 1 second slower than the Savage and 1/4 mile is .5 second slower. I'm surprised the real world feel is that much different. A guy on a local forum here has one and has offered to let me ride, but I haven't been able to do it yet. I'll pass your comments on to him to get his reply. |
Title: Re: Scratch that one off the list. Post by skrapiron on 07/07/08 at 14:06:06 Only one second slower 0-60 on paper? I can see that between the stock Savage and a stock XV650. I think what makes it so night and day different is the addition of a Lancer cone fitler, upjetted carb and a Harley sportster pipe. I haven't ridden a stock Savage in so long, it may well be that the stock Savage feels just as sluggish. The biggest turn off to me is the weight. Its too much weight for such a small engine... |
Title: Re: Scratch that one off the list. Post by bill67 on 07/07/08 at 15:01:30 I'm sure that turns more than 2500 rpm at 60mph |
Title: Re: Scratch that one off the list. Post by Keith_T on 07/07/08 at 15:51:32 My buddy's responces are in caps. Quote:
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Title: Re: Scratch that one off the list. Post by skrapiron on 07/07/08 at 16:38:39 Yamaha advertises the XV650 as developing all of its torque relatively low in the RPM range. From my experience and that of your friend who owns one, that is not the case. The engine has to be revved pretty high to develop usable power. Off the line, my Savage has snappy acceleration with alot of low end grunt. The XV650 was slow to start, slow to build. I was running along at 40mph in 3rd gear and when I cracked the throttle, it lagged before it started to climb, then slowly crept up faster. I do the same thing on my Savage and the response is almost instant with brisk acceleration to 5500rpm. If I'm cruising in 5th gear on my Savage and need to pass someone, I twist the throttle and go. On the XV650, it requires a downshift, then hit the throttle and wait for the engine RPM to build. Not my cup of tea. When it comes to low speed maneuverability, the Savage is the hands down winner. The extra weight of the XV650 becomes a handicap in parking lot maneuvers (pulling into a tight space) or moving it around with just your feet. When I parked on a slight downhill tilt, I could NOT move it back up the hill while sitting on it. It's hard for me to justify a shaft driven 650 that weighs in at over 500 lbs when a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 produces about one and a half times the horsepower and nearly double the torque for the same size and weight of a bike. Still, I'm going to stick with my Savage. The more I test-ride the 'bigger' cruisers, the better I like my bike...... |
Title: Re: Scratch that one off the list. Post by photojoe on 07/07/08 at 17:59:08 For the past three weeks, I've had my eye on this: http://www.beabiker.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=07480738X7K7K2008J7I57I25JPMQ3458R0&veh=13040&pov=809119 as a second bike. |
Title: Re: Scratch that one off the list. Post by Keith_T on 07/07/08 at 20:38:34 Quote:
I almost bought a Kaw 900 this spring. Didn't because we needed to spend the extra money around the house. I may get one next spring if I can. |
Title: Re: Scratch that one off the list. Post by skrapiron on 07/08/08 at 05:37:45 I'm going down the hill today to ride a used Vulcan 900. (I hate riding dealership's new bikes simply for research purposes. I feel guilty about not buying them. Used are just that. A few more miles on the clock won't matter.) I have sat on one, even ridden one a few laps around the parkinglot. From a handling perspective, they are easy to get onto, easy to hold up and easy in a slow speed turn. I'm looking forward to an actual ride. Especially with the performance of the XV650 still fresh in my mind. No, I'm not trading in my Savage either. I'm looking for another stablemate. (I'm also going over to Sewickley later today to look at a 2003 Buell Blast. Mrs. Skrapiron still wants a little shifty bike so I'm taking my checkbook with me..... I could have 5 bikes in the garage by the end of the week. Good Grief!) |
Title: Re: Scratch that one off the list. Post by bill67 on 07/08/08 at 06:00:10 HD |
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