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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Why did you buy your Savage? /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1230189855 Message started by Yonuh Adisi on 12/24/08 at 23:24:14 |
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Title: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Yonuh Adisi on 12/24/08 at 23:24:14 Here is my story: I was looking through a local pawn shop a couple of years ago when I passed this rather beat-up and forlorn looking motorcycle. I went to ask it why it was so depressed and it told me that it had been sitting there on the pawn shop floor for over two years and nobody seemed to want it. I told it, “Well, let me look at you and see what we can do to fix that.” So it rolled out of the cluster of bicycles where I could take a better look at it. It proceeded to tell me that its previous owner was a moron: “Just look at what he did to my tank and foot pegs. He dang near destroyed me because he didn’t know how to ride.” “Yes, I see that, but buck up son, those things can be fixed.” “Yes, but the people here in this motorcycle hell won’t even blow the dust off of me every once in a while. My battery is dead, my carb is gunked up, and would you just look at my front tire. It hurts just to stay on it because I have no tread on it any more.” “I feel for you buddy.” I said to it. “But that too can be fixed.” “But only if someone would buy me who knows what they are doing.” At this point a small stream of fork oil began seeping down the right fork as it began to cry. “I’m sorry, but this two year old gas in my tank has been giving me digestion problems and no one seems to care about a poor old single cylinder Savage like me.” I couldn’t take it any more. My heart went out to it and I immediately found an employee of the pawn shop with the intention of giving them a piece of my mind for neglecting this poor little guy, but instead I asked how much, and bought it. As I loaded it up onto my truck, who thought it was about time I bought him a baby brother the stream of fork oil increased as the bike cried more but this time in happiness. Being careful not to hurt its poor abused tires any more than I had to I strapped it down and brought it home. I immediately flushed out the gas tank and cleaned the carburetor. Replaced the battery with a brand new one and put on new tires front and rear. “Aaahhh, that feels so good.” The bike said as I drained the oil and put in two quarts of fresh Quaker State 10w40. “Thank you so much.” “You are very welcome, do you have a name?” “My previous owner did not give me one.” “Then I shall do so. I dub thee The FireLizard.” “I like it, thank you.” I then straddled the newly dubbed FireLizard, turned the key and pressed the starter button. VVVRRRROOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!!!! To this day I have not regretted giving my heart to this remarkable motorcycle. The FireLizard has had it’s problems, but with time I have helped it solve them and I have rewarded it with certain modifications that are pleasing to us both. Such as a Road King tank, girder front end, homemade forward controls, ten inch mini apes, and front bullet turn signals. We ride together practically every day, from just pleasure rides, to running errands, and when I am working, the FireLizard happily takes me to work and safely home again. Before http://a165.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/7/l_75b5160079f0a3f4421bb1ad9aa13974.jpg Now http://a197.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/7/l_059d601bbfe50be8209f24d067363994.jpg |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by PerrydaSavage on 12/25/08 at 03:16:52 Great story Yonuh! Enjoyed reading that! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by LANCER on 12/25/08 at 06:00:35 Ahhh, who would have thought that this great story of a man and his machine has all of the ingredients of a CHICK FLICK ? ;D |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Skid Mark on 12/25/08 at 07:56:22 That was a heart warming story for Christmas!!! My story isn't as deep. I shopped around and found the Savage to be the absoulte best bang for the buck. I then checked online and found this site,as well as some review site. This site with it's great membership and techinical info on the Savage closed the deal. One final talk with my wife, to ensure she was definately on board with me getting a bike, and the rest is history. I| have had no regrets at all with buying the Savage. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Toymaker on 12/25/08 at 09:19:45 I had a big Dodge pickup that I was driving back and forth to work...round trip of about 70 miles. As the fuel got more expensive, we (the wife and I) decided I would take the Explorer. After all, it did get better mileage. Last December, we decided that we no longer needed the truck and off she went...sold. That left us with just 1 car. We had talked about a motorcycle for a few months, but because it had been geological epochs since I had ridden, we decided on something no larger that a 750. As it turned out, there was a Savage for sale about 60 miles away. Price was right and the bike looked good. We bought it, and I rode it home. Problem was, it was MLK weekend and it was 27 degrees. I nearly froze coming home with an open face helmet and no leathers. Needless to say, I did survive...and now the cold really isn't a problem. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by serowbot on 12/25/08 at 10:32:58 I've always been a fan of simple and efficient.... the Savage is a hands down, winner... Thanks for the story....BTW, you're lucky,...when my girl talks back, she's a little more demanding and bossy,...maybe it's what I'm feeding her.... |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Tincanman on 12/25/08 at 11:46:02 well, I got this ...http://w4.bikepics.com/pics/2008/12/25/bikepics-1519191-full.jpg From this ..http://w4.bikepics.com/pics/2008/12/25/bikepics-1519046-full.jpg so I got this....http://w4.bikepics.com/pics/2008/12/25/bikepics-1519177-full.jpg nough said. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by verslagen1 on 12/25/08 at 11:58:02 I had been thinking about a motorcycle for years, finally after waiting a year following an accident with my 4 wheeled helmet. Really played on my confidence. Pretty much decided on a Yamy, then I went in to Bert's MegaMall and like sharks sensing blood in the water I was savagely met at the door. "I'm looking for a bike" says I. What you have in mind... a cruiser, belt or shaft drive, 500 to 750, been looking at the yamy... what else do you have? Don't remember where he was going, but there, over his shoulder, I saw it (yes it, as it wasn't mine yet). At the end of an aisle, spot lighted in the dark (at least that's how I remember it) echoing my dad's Gold Star, and quick look at the price tag, hmmm... this is doable. Went home (not with it yet, one more test) signed up for the riders course and found a '96 on CL. Incredably negociations for savage took 2 months and I had to wait a month for the riders course. So I was ready, the all important M on the license, insurance and title in hand. My little shedder and me commute to work nearly everyday since, and a few fun rides to put some wear on the sides of the tires. She's even been on a jeep trail. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by serowbot on 12/25/08 at 13:07:07 342730312E2325272C73420 wrote:
LOL!...did you happen to hear something like a faint distant chorus of angels,.... kind of a "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!" sound?.... I've heard about that happening..... |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Paladin. on 12/25/08 at 14:28:26 Pappy rode a Harley Davidson Servicar working for the Detroit Police Department. I grew up with riding a motorcycle 365 days a year being normal. I was 15 when he died. When I turned 18 and mum could no longer object, I got a little motorcycle. Rode on and off. In '74 I picked up a new Yamaha DT175 and started riding on and off road for the next 12+ years. There was a GS450E for a while, and a 200 Reflex (street legal trials bike) at the end. In '81 I started my BBS. In '84 I gave the OK to shut down my Step by Step and became a surplus employee. Did a few odd jobs, in '86 I took "excused time" off, in the range of eight months. Mid June Wendy logged onto my BBS. We married in September. She came complete with a started family, a not quite 3-year-old. I have my principles, especially when it comes to small children and animals. Even the tiny risk of a motorcycle accident became unacceptable and the bikes were sold. Replaced by a 5,000 pound '78 Ford LTD, heavy box steel frame doglegs out to protect from side impacts, along with steel beams in the doors, heavy steel bumpers front and rear mounted on hydraulic rams. With Wendy's '72 Camaro it was our transportation through 2003. Bike was pretty near stock when I got it, cept for the cover on the one screw having already been removed. Needed a new rear tire. Added a Flyscreen, Saddlebags, swapped out the muffler, taillight, headlight, saddle -- making it even better than perfect. August '03 they replaced my work van: http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/images/Van.jpg An '87, I had been it's driver for 10 years, low mileage, never in an accident, V8, 3/4 ton. The auto trans had been replaced just a year previous. Would do 85 without a hint of shimmy or wander. Fabulous condition. Unfortunately MaBell no longer sold it's retired vehicles at a public auction, and I was unable to track it and buy it for myself. Wendy had recently started working, and treated herself to a brand new '03 Beetle. '04 saw me still driving the Camaro, which had a problem using 3rd gear. I needed a reliable replacement. Then Wendy spoke the five words that make a man's heart soar; "Have you considered a motorcycle?" I have been perfectly happy riding a 175cc Enduro for a dozen plus years, but would prefer something freeway capable. Looked for a small lightweight street bike. I find the crouch and lean forward position to be uncomfortable, would have preferred a 400cc (give or take 50), but would settle for a 250 -- Honda's Rebel and Nighthawk, Yamaha's Virago, the Suzuki Marauder. None felt perfect. The Rebel's side covers poked my legs at a stop, the Nightwawk was obsolete and overpriced. Looked up the specs online, both about 300 pounds. Noticed the Savage, only 50 pounds heavier but with a 650cc? Interesting. Found a used Savage in Long Beach, went down and sat on it. BINGO! From then it was simply a matter of finding one at an acceptable price and getting my license (never bothered before -- have never been stopped by a cop when on a bike, 'cept that one time in Izmir.) http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/images/PassingPaper.jpg Had been watching on cycletrader and saw a 2000 just south in Laguna Hills for $2500. Saw it on eBay with a $1999 start (Typical wife says to move it NOW!) Won the bike with a $2325 bid, Greg rode it down from Laguan Hills and I drove him back. That was Aug. 15th, CMSP not 'til Sept. Took it, passed, went to get my endorsement, passed the written, road test waived, eye test failed. Left eye sees blurry movements. Need a doctors' note, got it, not good enough, Need an on the road test, went to the San Pedro office for it. Gentleman asks questions. How long had? 'Bout 30 years. Driving record? Near spotless. Problem? Not for me! STAMP! You're good, go away. Oct. 14th, 2004 http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/images/Thumper/at_work.jpg started riding to work. I had forgotten how much I detested being trapped in a cage. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/25/08 at 16:50:05 You wanna know WHY. I'll tell ya why. Ive had serious health issues ever since I was 28. Came within an hour of needing a complete blood transfusion, due to exposure to roach spray. After that, my ability to detox was diminished & I slowly built up heavy metals & a few other things, I had been unable to drive for over a year, got the mercury out of my teeth & started chelation & was getting to where I could leave the house for more than Just a Drs appointment, My wife thought it would be good therapy, get me out, get the blood a pumpin & get some fresh air. It was Great. I used to just bust out laughing, riding down a country road. 3 years ago, I had 2 weeks of Feeling Good. The last year has seen me on the couch for weeks at a time, BUT,,I am feeling Better again..Yeee HAWW~!!! I almost feel good enough to ride for fun. Maybe ina couple O weeks. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by eanon on 12/25/08 at 20:22:50 darn, Justin, I had no idea. Sorry to hear that man. Hope your back on the road soon. My story is pretty simple. I was wanting a bike for awhile. Just couldn't afford it. My roommate had her, and rode her for about a year. Then he put her down. Didn't want to ride anymore. Although I was riding her less than 3 weeks later, it took us almost two months to finally agree to transfer the title. $1500 Not bad. She's a '97 with about 11K when I got her, just shy of 18k now, a little over a year later. We go out every chance we get. As a matter of fact, it's not to late and, wait, no, Christmas drunks.... :-/ Maybe tomorrow! |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by verslagen1 on 12/25/08 at 21:00:30 4650475A42575A41350 wrote:
LOL!...did you happen to hear something like a faint distant chorus of angels,.... kind of a "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!" sound?.... I've heard about that happening.....[/quote] It wern't no chorus, and it was kinda a Braaap! sound. ;D |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by firetruckredbike on 12/26/08 at 04:44:26 Rewind to a year ago, when our emergency response group at work had an offsite drill. One of my friends in the group pulled up on her VStar 1100, which I proceeded to admire. After a few minutes of conversation, she said, "You know, Amy, I can see you on a bike." I was startled by this comment. I had never thought about getting a motorcycle. Fast forward to the $4 gas prices of this past summer. My husband and I each go 30 miles one way to work and we were grumbling about the cost. My friend's comment of last year popped into my head, and I asked my husband, "Maybe we should think about getting motorcycles." I have never seen him respond so quickly to anything. By that evening, he had a list of bikes he wanted to look at. ;) So the next day at work, I shared this information with the same emergency response group. One of the women said, "I have a bike I'm getting ready to sell, a Suzuki Savage." The V-Star owner said, "That would be perfect for you to start on, it's light but it has guts." I didn't know one bike from another, but I trusted these two people. "Oh, by the way," the owner added, "the bike is red." Red! As in fire truck red? My husband and I run with two volunteer fire departments, so this was an added good omen. So the next day the bike was brought to work and I got to try it out. From the first time I sat on the Thumpster, I knew he was for me. A perfect fit, and everything seemed very natural and comfortable. The previous owner taught me just like the MSF class and I will thank her always for that, because I got off to a really good start. There is one thing that is embarassing to admit - my friend told me that the bike weighed 350 pounds, and I misunderstood and thought he was a 350cc. I had gone on the Suzuki page and read up on the bike, and even had found this forum, but somehow the correct displacement eluded me. I had bought the bike, gotten my learner's permit, and was ready to ride him home before someone commented to me about what a light, powerful bike the Savage is. I laughed and said, yes, he's really strong for a 350! The good thing there is that had I known this was a 650, I never would have bought him. I thought I wanted a smaller displacement bike to learn on. It's lovely to have been mistaken about that. That was last July, and Thump now has an additional 6500 miles on him. People ask, when are you going to "move up" to a bigger bike, and the answer is never. Why would I want some big heavy bike that would be harder to maneuver and pick up, when Thump gets me everywhere I want to go, and is an absolute kick to ride? So, there's my story. Certain events are big landmarks in our lives, and for me, getting Thump has to be one of the best - one of the purest sources of joy I've ever found. Amy |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Demin on 12/26/08 at 05:00:03 I was looking for a bike for my girl.Almost bought a GZ250,but I wasn't happy about buying another bike when she got bored with it.I was hanging out in a buddy's garage one night,telling him my plan.He turns around uncovers a bike,and says why not this one.I didn't know he even had it.He took it on trade for some work he did.Soon as I saw it,I knew it was the one.Rode it home that night.November 00' about 40 degress,and no gear.That's the '86 I'm riding now. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 12/26/08 at 06:45:09 I bought mine in April, '08. It's an '06 S40. I rode back in college in the mid 1960s, then after graduation, and leaving for the Army, I just never rode again. I was an aviator, and got caught in the flying thing, and still am. So motorcycles became a thing of the past. But for some reason in the fall of 2007 I got the bug to ride again. I started visiting dealerships to see what's out there. I was amazed at two things - the engine size of modern bikes, and the prices. The price escalation I expected, but back when I rode, a 650 was a huge bike - my last bike was a Honda 305. So I decided that at age 61, I didn't need some sport bike, or a 1300 cruiser. The first thing I thought I wanted, as a surrender to my age, was a maxi scooter like a Honda Silverwing, but the price was outlandish. At this point, any return to riding was a pure experiment, as I wasn't sure whether I would like it again after 40 years off. So, no $10,000 Silverwing right off of the bat. Next I considered a Honda Rebel. Price is sure right, and 250 wasn't what I remembered as small. Again, back when I rode, a 250 was a mid sized bike. But, all my buddies talked me out of that idea. And after using a Rebel in the MSF course, they were right. So, looking around, a 650 S40 seemed about right - plenty of power, easy maint. (since I can't do my own, I didn't want to be in the shop every other week), and the price was right. So, after a few weeks of intense looking, I found the bike I now own. Happy with it, as it serves my needs for purely a recreational bike just right. It's the right size, and has all of the speed I'll need. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Puddle Pirate on 12/26/08 at 11:03:44 I had been out of riding for about 29 years. Sold my last bike (Honda 350CL) in 1979. Started looking for a scooter to play around with. After a little searching, decided to upgrade to a regular motorcycle. I had no luck trying to find an old Honda 350, 450 which I thought I would be comfortable on. Looked on CL and found a 96 Savage locally. Went to look at it and it was love at first sight. I liked the yellow color but couldn't make the deal happen. This was in May 2008. I started searching the internet and found a 2003 nearby . The women I called had only ridden the bike home from the dealer and then it sat except for an occassional battery charging startup. Haggled over the price, got a great deal and took possession in June 2008. Bike had a total of 43 miles! Been riding and loving it ever since. Not too big and not too small. Enough get up and go for the expressway and a lot of fun to ride locally. Still riding occassionally throughout the winter but looking forward to next spring! |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by odvelasc on 12/26/08 at 12:28:47 Sold my suzi 250 30 minutes after posting it online. I looked on kijijij right away and saw the sauvage and it looked flippin' kewl. So, I called the owner saw it, negotiated, bought it, left me the keys and picked it up two days later when there was no rain ( I was a complete noob, been riding all but 3 weeks when I bought the savage so I did not want to drive in the rain). |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Savage_Amusement on 12/26/08 at 15:51:31 It was cheap, close and a great size for me to learn to ride on, and had a lot of potential for custom work. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by rokrover on 12/26/08 at 15:57:55 My wife is to blame! After 40 years of motorcycling I “retired” and took up commuting by bicycle for health and economy, especially since SoCal has the perfect weather for such two-wheel indulgence. No contemporary production motorcycle caught my fancy after growing up on eccentric yet iconic marques like Velocette, Matchless and Ducati that inevitably honed my mechanical skills. So four years ago I got my wife a Yamaha Zuma scooter as a practical and economical commuter appliance. It taught her how to ride on two wheels and was very reliable and economical. Its disadvantage was lack of power and top speed. Keeping up with traffic on any significant grade was a nerve-wracking experience with the little ring-ding shrieking its heart out. We first saw a pair of Suzuki LS650’s in the mountains behind Santa Barbara when a touring couple parked their new machines, with suitably blued exhaust headers, at the summit of La Cumbre peak. The bikes confused me at first, appearing like Harleys from a distance, then my memory was jogged as I remembered Suzuki made a big 650 single called the Savage. So I traded my wife’s little red Zuma up to a black 2006 Suzuki S-40. For a while it was a toss up against the Honda Rebel 250cc but the Suzuki looked better and certainly was more powerful. The dealer had both on the showroom floor and the Suzuki’s purposeful, bold looks were a deciding factor. Besides, I have a soft spot for big 4-stroke thumpers going back to my Velocette days. I remember Panther made a 650cc single for their side-car rig, so the concept had to be sound. I delivered her bike home after completing the paperwork and was most impressed with the light weight, relaxed handling, smooth engine, lazy, effortless torque and acceleration, clean, quiet and maintenance free belt drive and other nice touches that made for a most compelling ensemble. Needless to say, I ordered mine shortly thereafter. This was the perfect machine to comfort me in my mellow senior years. Now we have a “his & hers” LS-650 duo in matching black livery. I tweaked mine with the usual mods: a SuperTrapp muffler, K&N air filter for better breathing with slightly richer jetting, a Super Brace to cure front end wobbles and Progressive shocks to round out the suspension upgrade. My wife loves her Sue-Zook and racks up mileage faster than me on daily commutes. I enjoy hear her returning for supper with the gentle putt-putt-putt stock exhaust, unlike the tractor resonance from my SuperTrapp. I drive less to maintain the health benefit of bicycling. Even so, I never fail to have renewed pleasure from this simple machine that performs with great character unexpected from its basic components. The sum total is a winning combination appreciated by my fellow cognoscenti who exchange useful tips on this enthusiast website. Of course there are quirks, like the predisposition to loud backfires on deceleration, squeaking front brakes that wear out prematurely between 2-3K, oil leaks from the head plug, rare cases of the counter-balancer punching through the engine case or exhaust valves breaking and, worst of all, rapid cam-chain tensioner failure with potential engine destruction (anywhere from 12K to 20K miles.) Yet it’s smooth, broad power band and effortless acceleration, coupled with light handling and stable manners make riding around town a breeze. Naturally I do all maintenance myself, although the bike is not as easy to work on as expected. My Ducati 350cc single was much simpler. The Suzuki’s seat and gas tank must be removed for all basic top-end work (spark plug, valves, head bolts, carburetor) and this is a chore owing to the fuel valve jamming under the frame rail. It is best to drain the tank and remove the petc@ck. Even topping up the battery requires removal of the seat and both side panels. Still, it is a lot simpler than most modern bikes that have become a mechanic’s nightmare. On the plus side there is little to do for routine maintenance. Top up gas (regular is just fine, although I prefer mid grade,) adjust tire pressure and change the engine oil and filter at least twice a year. That’s about it, except perhaps top up the battery and drain the airbox annually. Today I took a run in the mountains to renew my affection for our bike and reflect upon its enduring personality elevating it above the usual frivolous consumer excess for more, faster and cheaper. Hard times are coming and the LS-650’s substance over style should find renewed appreciation. Peak oil is behind us and the days of Caddy Escalade, cell-phone addicted, air-head trust-fund bimbettes are fading fast. We are proud to express our cultural defiance through the Savages. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Ed L. on 12/26/08 at 15:58:38 Been a gear head all my life but began to settle down after marrage and a mortage. Kept my last "war machine" a street racer 56 chevy but realized that the bear would never see the steet again as long as i owned it. At the same time I lost my middle brother to cancer and found a little 250 Ducati thumper in pieces scattered in his garage. Well I had to put the Ducati back together and get it running (I'm compulsive about geting things up and running) but it was a bit small for me plus I would ride it for a hour and spend 4 hours working on it. It was the first bike I had ridden in 20 years and I was hooked. So I realized that I could use a bigger bike, love thumpers and found that one of the girls I was working with had a silver '02 for sale, she didn't like a single and was moving up? to a sporty. So I sold the '56 (still miss it) and rolled the cash over to the Savage. Poor bike didn't realze what it was getting into, been wrenching on it since and have been good about keeping the torch and welder away from it so far. The score so far is Savage, four cracked ribs, one helmet, multiple bruises, tire track on "T" shirt. Rider, two sets of foot pegs, one handle bar, one head light, one tail light, one pilon, 8,000 miles. Looking forward to the next 8,000. ;) |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Rogue_Cheddar on 12/26/08 at 16:46:49 Dang! That's the second time I almost hurled at that pic of what's left of your leg there Tincanman! I got a 12" scar (I tell all the girls it's my Heidelburg dueling scar) on my left femur where I had a plate put in when I was 14 due to an accident with my father ( A tree jumped out and bit our car). My leg looks like a cute puppy dog compared to yours. I bet it must've stung a little bit when they put Methiolate on it. :D Anyway, I wanted to ride, had very little money, saw an ad in my hometown no less, for a '95 Savage for $1200. Saw the man, he started the bike, started right up, no smoke, that was it, I didn't even try to bargain for less. I've had more smiles per mile in the last two years than all the miles driven since I was sixteen. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by LANCER on 12/26/08 at 17:15:19 Many years, many bikes, my favorites being big singles, found myself without a bike for a number of years during hard times and then my son decides to do a good deed for his old man and knowing that I like big singles (we had stopped by the Suzuki dealer a couple of times and looked at the Savage) he shows up one Fathers Day with a very nice gift for me... a '96 model Savage. I like the light weight, quick handling, torquey engine and ease of maintenance; not to mention ease of mods which it responds well to. Tweak the engine and suspension a bit for better handling and power and it is downright perky and more fun to ride. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by serowbot on 12/26/08 at 17:22:55 48695241230D0 wrote:
O.K., I'll bite, "...tire track on your T-shirt?" You ran over yourself? Although,.. I ran over my own foot once...so, I do understand... ;) |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Ed L. on 12/26/08 at 19:46:45 Tire track on the "T" shirt was thanks to the 2008 Tail of the Dragon ride along with bending the pilon down almost flat. It's been proven, at least to me, that the savage is a tough bike. The Metzer rear left a very distinct tread mark. :D |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by drharveys on 12/26/08 at 21:32:52 I may have posted this before, but what the hey -- it seems appropriate here. I guess my Savage saga starts with my daughter. After many years of pillioning with me, she wanted to learn how to ride her own bike. One MSF course later, we heard of a friend who was selling the Buell Blast she had learned how to ride on, so we bought it for her. http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/DSC00876.jpg Of course, any used bike requires a few trips back and forth to the dealer for parts, tires and adjustments. While I had a BMW at the time, I found that I was really enjoying ferrying her thumper to and from it's necessary errands, and I decided that it was time to indulge myself and start thumping! As the Blast was a bit small for me, and clearly a novice's machine, I bought a Royal Enfield 500. Then I set about poring through the catalog of upgrade and "performance" parts. http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/DamSite.jpg Truly the most photogenic bike I have ever owned! Unfortunately it had everything except reliability, and after two years of ownership it put the primary chain through the cases. It had spent two many times riding the trailer back from rides, and with the nearest dealer 90 miles away it was not practical, at least for me. The dealer also carried the Hyosung line, and let me trade what was left of my Enfield in on a chrome yellow Hyosung 250 "sportbike". http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/ce952d64.jpg This bike turned out to be a LOT more reliable than the Enfield, also more suitable to my style of riding. Still, it was a bit tall for my daughter to ride when she came back home, and just not suitable for my wife to learn on. And the nearest dealer was still 90 miles away. So after the second time the vacuum petcock failed and was replaced under warantee, I traded it on the Savage -- actually a Boulevard S40 to which I promptly added the sissy bar and luggage rack! http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/DSC01878.jpg OK, the upgrade stuff, along with the gel seat, a Superbrace and Hagon shocks were added after this photo, but you get the picture... The Savage is simple, reliable, fits my daughter (and now son-in-law, too), and should my wife decide to learn to ride, fits her too. Around town it is a super solo bike! But hey -- I'm preaching to the choir here! |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by PerrydaSavage on 12/27/08 at 03:49:16 I bought my current LS650 ('05 S40) 'cause I stupidly sold my original LS ('03 Savage) and missed it terribly! |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by T Mack 1 on 12/27/08 at 13:10:08 Why... no one else bid on it so I got it cheap (rolling frame, engine in pieces in a box). But the story starts in the late '70's while I was in the Army. Rode a couple of friends bikes and liked it. The early '80's had me Jeep'in so no bikes. In the late '80's I got into 3-wheeling and dirt bike'n. Early '90's, sailing and marriage killed the bikes. In '94 had a son.... can you see where this goes.. someone to buy toys for ;) . In '02 we got into mini-bikes. Then in '06 I said to the wife, can I get a "fixer-upper" to commute to work on. Her response, no more than $300.... Found a '71 Honda CL175 for $100.... another $250 to get it running.... but it had no title because the Estate couldn't find it in time for the Auction. Since it was a PA bike and here in PA if it was ever titled here you had to go the hard way to get a title. Got ready to get a lawyer to process the paperwork when the neighbor offered his '82 Honda 250 for $600. Sold the '71 Honda for $600 cash (w/o title), handed the cash to the neighbor. Rode that for half a year and realized that it didn't have enough power to take my then 12 year old son and I on the hills here on the east side of PA. So started looking for something bigger. Wife said we could spend a grand max, but had to sell the '82 Honda. Well, started looking on EBay for any bike within 100 miles for $1000 or less. Saw a few LS650's that started low but went much higher. But.... I liked the look and the simplicity. So, I started to look for LS650's too. Found a 2001 in Erie, Pa that started at $450 for a rolling frame and the seller would throw in the dead engine. I figured it had at least $850 in parts so... not really wanting to drive across the state of PA for a dead bike, I bid $600. Well, no one else bid. Got it for $450 plus $50 for all the parts and books not shown in the auction item. Before I left for the 6 hour drive, I sold the '82 Honda for $800 ($200 profit , plus the '71 Honda was sold for profit to.... 8-) ) My machinist buddy (also a biker) bore the cylinder for free and in a month the bike was running. I'm happy with the LS650. I like the looks, it got the guts enough for me, and it's already paid for itself in gas savings. Do I want a bigger bike.... well my son is now 5'9" and we don't fit on the LS650 together. My wife is too nervous to be on the back. I could use a slightly longer bike, but the money issue comes into play. I'll keep the Savage for a while longer.... it goes good and I get bugs on the teeth (Happy biker syndrone ;D ). |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by AzDon on 12/27/08 at 20:02:14 Of all the Harley lookalikes, this is the one that nails the styling most accurately and has all the cool parts... My son is ready to start riding and I wanted to put him on something with Sportster cool, but weighing a bit less. We considered the Virago 250, but decided it would bee too small too quickly. The Savage is just as light and nimble, but with 650 guts and an (almost) HD rumble. I bought a slightly beat copy with less than 8k miles and spent some time and about $400 fixing it up and now we have a mini-Sportster that we can park anywhere ,with pride! AND we have less than $1200 in it! |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by Jimmer on 12/28/08 at 09:17:14 In February of 2008 I was called to testify at a civil court hearing. With time to kill before the hearing my son and I wondered into the Suzuki dealership in the town of Lock Haven, Pa. As my son and his friend were looking at the Sport bikes and new cruisers, I went to look around the store. There in the back of the used equipment area was this awesome LS650. In was a 2000 and only had 3400 miles on it. The sales person looked at me and said, you look like a good fit for that machine. You know how sales people can be and I thought,"here we go, snow job".Well he left without saying anything else. I'd walk away ,then go back to this same bike. After court, I went back to the shop walked in and said can I test drive it. To my surprise they said sure.Gas up and ready, they handed me a helmet and said, we close in 2 hours, please try a be back by then. Dropped a hundred bucks to hold the bike. Picked it up a week later, and it has been smiles and good times ever since. No need for a large bike,I've got a bike with a lot of heart and a joy to ride. Also great people to interact with on this site. Ride Strong, Ride Proud, and Ride Safe Jimmer |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by photojoe on 12/28/08 at 12:22:53 Came back after a 10 year break from riding HD's. Started looking at HD's but became disgusted really quick because of the prices. I was stunned really. Let go of the "HD Forever" mentality and opened my mind to other makes. Searched CL, saw the Savage and bookmarked it. Kept going back to look at it and sent the seller a note. The bike was not selling after being on CL for weeks. After a few e-mails and a phone call, we made arrangements for me to take a test ride. The torque blew me away. It also felt "right" for me. Buying my Savage was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I love riding this bike. I've been lucky in the fact that there have been no major problems since I bought it in March. Mileage was 12,000+ and I'm up to 18,400 after the December blast I just completed an hour ago. I still love the old Iron Head HD's (Glutton for punishment), and who knows what's in store for the future. But for now, I'll continue to tear arse on the road with the Savage. It will be one of the bikes I never get rid of regardless of my next bike. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by bill67 on 12/28/08 at 12:37:56 Light weight |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by photojoe on 12/28/08 at 12:39:04 10W-40 this time of year. |
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Title: Re: Why did you buy your Savage? Post by smokin_blue on 12/30/08 at 11:14:33 Simply put.....I needed the engine..... 8-) more to follow when I have time to update my website.... ;) |
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