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Message started by jamesmackelroy on 04/15/10 at 11:24:32

Title: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of ???
Post by jamesmackelroy on 04/15/10 at 11:24:32

I posted earlier, but don't know if it ended up here...

Anyway, I am thinking of buying an '01 Savage with about 10,000 miles. How long do these things realistically last with proper mainenance and a calm rider? I don't see too many people sell or talk about their bikes with 20,000 miles, and most are well under that. Does the single cylinder have a tendency to die out? Anyway, just curious before I drop almost $2000 on a bike. I'd like to have it for another ten or twenty thousand miles... Is this possible?

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Reelthing on 04/15/10 at 11:30:34

Most motorcycles are not used a daily ride - some are - I commuted on the '95 for a couple years - it's still a fine ride @ 28k miles - you named it though - proper maint and not running the ears off it all the time - one of the best things about these bikes is the ease of maint and avail of parts to fix anything that does break.

you might want to check the book price on a 2001 - 2k seems a little high maybe

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by jamesmackelroy on 04/15/10 at 11:32:31

True on the price--it is sixteen. The site I went to said that 1800 would be a "midrange." Does that seem accurate? Any other recommended sites?

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 04/15/10 at 11:32:50

I just answered your question in the Market Place. But oh well here it is again. LOL

10,000 miles is not really that bad, these engines to my mind at least are practically bullet proof. There is a couple of concerns about the cam chain tensioner but it is easily taken care of. It mostly depends on how well the previous owner took care of the bike.

My Savage is almost at 20,000 miles now and is running strong even with the mods I made to it. There are some members here who have well over 20,000 without any problems.

The most likely reason you rarely see a Savage for sale with 20,000 or more miles is because people will trade up to a bigger bike before hitting that mark not because of mechanical failure. Most riders consider the Savage a starter bike.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Reelthing on 04/15/10 at 11:37:05

clean '01 at $1600 sounds quite reasonable -

have you ridden a bike much before?

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by jamesmackelroy on 04/15/10 at 11:42:10

Not since my younger years on trails and that sort of thing. I've heard that this is a pretty good first bike, and that it can handle highway speeds for reasonable amounts of time (does 60 - 65 for an hour seem fairly reasonable?). I'm going to check out the bike some more in a few days, but I'm definitely trying to make a good purchase. Only other question aside from the reliability issue is my size. I'm just over 200 and about six feet. I've seen some guys about 6'4" say they like the bike, and others say anyone over 5'9" is going to be sore. I know it'll be a matter of preference, but I value all input!

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 04/15/10 at 11:45:51

Yes, 60 to 65mph for about an hour or so is reasonable. There are in fact several members here who have done cross country trips without any problems.

I myself am 6 foot 254 lbs but with a set of homemade forward controls all is good. A member here by the name of Ed L makes forward controls for these bikes at a very reasonable price if you decide you need more leg room, but as you say, that is up to the individual rider on whether it will be needed.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Reelthing on 04/15/10 at 12:00:18

Here's the '95 dressed for a commute bike - has softer shocks, metzler tires, fork brace, jardine pipe, tuned up carb, windshield, tach, stem nut clock, raised seat with #7 rubber stoppers, braided brake lines, drilled brake rotor, fold down high pegs, tail bag, and a PC on board. Averaged 54mpg with normal use - runs very well @ 28k miles

They're good bikes.

http://www.savageriders.com/reelthing/pics/savage/F0193.JPG

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by jamesmackelroy on 04/15/10 at 12:29:03

Fantastic picture. Thanks for the replies. I am looking into using the bike as a daily commuter, which would entail about thirty miles a day roundtrip during the week and one hundred and twenty or so roundtrip once on the weekend on a smaller state highway. I definitely feel a lot better about finding out more on this bike! Thanks again all... Keep any comments coming.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 04/15/10 at 12:36:58

30 mile round trip commute is nothing to this bike. I do a 50 round trip commute, and when the weather is nice I usually spend most of the day just cruising around with no problems.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by babyhog on 04/15/10 at 12:37:41

We hear alot of people say that they wanted to start off on this bike, then get something bigger. Well most of us fall in Savage Love. I still enjoy looking at and maybe dreaming about a bigger bike, but when it comes down to it, I love my S40, and don't want anything else.

They are easy to customize, plenty of things to add or do to it. We have a saying around here that you are only limited by your imagination! You have to be creative though, because we are not "catered to" by aftermarket parts companies. Its not an HD... wink, wink. But we've found alot of things that work!

And this site is full of some of the best "mechanics" you'll ever find. Some are good with one thing and others are good at something else. Throw us all together, and we have a whopper of a little bike!

Oh, we have alot of fun here too. So stick around! ;D

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by jamesmackelroy on 04/15/10 at 12:49:17

Yeah, everyone here seems like fun so far. And I am definitely NOT the person looking to get a Savage and then move up to a bruiser bike or anything. I jsut am afraid of buying something that's going to fall apart quickly--which I know can happen with anything. I've been browsing the other threads though, and I am glad to see a wealth of support from everyone on a range of subjects. Just another reason to get the Savage, I suppose...

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by verslagen1 on 04/15/10 at 16:03:38

I'm 6' 240lbs, I've got a 25 mile one way commute, I hop on the freeway and fly to work where it's shut off smokin'. I did that on my 1st savage for 46,000 miles and going to break it down and replace the cam chain, piston and bore it out. Whilst I progress on that, I've gotten another savage and have 30,000 on it. You will need to check the cam chain after 20,000 miles.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by T Mack 1 - FSO on 04/15/10 at 17:52:46

I'm 5'11" and 215 lbs. Rode my '01 Savage as a work commuter for two years. Perfect bike for it. I did put on the 4" EdL. forward controls.

I took the MSF "Experienced rider" refresher course on the Savage. I was the only person in the class that got a perfect score. I chaulk it up to the LS650.

Only reason I sold it was my son who is a mini-biker/bike biker loves to ride two up and last year at 14 he was 5'8" and playing Freshman High School football as a lineman. We looked funny going down the street and it wasn't comfortable two up'ing .

My '01 (or should I now say Jane's '01 :-[ )http://www.users.fast.net/~tommack/Tom-LS650-5.JPG

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Tiefighterpilot on 04/15/10 at 20:56:57

I bought my 2007 s40 with 800miles on it for about $3200. I think you can find a better deal.

I bought mine with intention of upgrading to a larger bike later this year. I knew nothing of s40/savage, other than the fact that it was the most comfortable bike I sat on.

Now the fun suprises... s40/savage is super simple, tough, good bikes. I already started doing modifications and plan on many more this year (myself). This was not in the plan, as I am mechanically challenged, and normally let the mechanics do all the work on my car. Now, having seen the cost of tune up ($300-$700 wtf!), oilchanges ($80) at the local bike shop... and seeing how simple my bike is... I'll do all of them myself, and do it right.

If the bike is a good fit (assuming you are not 400lbs, 6'5"), you will be very pleased with the decision to go with the savage.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by serenity3743 on 04/19/10 at 05:17:49

Welcome to the site, James. I put 51,000 miles on the original motor of my Savage, using it as a daily commuter 46 miles round trip for several years. With a salvage replacement motor, the chasis is still rolling strong at 73,000. I'd be commuting on it today, except that right now I have an electric problem that I'm (we're - i.e. me and the guys on this site) trying to track down. I agree though that $2K is a little high.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by cornfuzed on 04/19/10 at 12:35:00

575C50584E505C5E5658514F52443D0 wrote:

If it helps at all im 6'3" 278 ish and commute 53 miles 1 way, 10,000 on her and it was new in 08.. the stock seat will give ya the case of the monkeybutt, no issues.. ridden through more storms than i can count.. and hang around cause you gonna lern lots..

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by cornfuzed on 04/19/10 at 12:38:13

almost forgot..
www.searchtempest.com

put in your zip and how far you willing to travel and see what pops up... ;)

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by babyhog on 04/19/10 at 12:55:02

333A243F356166560 wrote:

almost forgot..
www.searchtempest.com

put in your zip and how far you willing to travel and see what pops up... ;)

cool search engine. Thanks!

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by RTC on 04/19/10 at 13:20:54

4374747D6579787F76110 wrote:

I have seen that boat before!! are you near clear lake?

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by nicholas on 04/20/10 at 08:30:54

Mine has almost 40,000 kms and purrs like a kitten......:)
very well maintained.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Reelthing on 04/20/10 at 10:20:21

3E2B332625384A0 wrote:

[quote author=4374747D6579787F76110 link=1271355872/0#7 date=1271358018]Here's the '95 dressed for a commute bike - has softer shocks, metzler tires, fork brace, jardine pipe, tuned up carb, windshield, tach, stem nut clock, raised seat with #7 rubber stoppers, braided brake lines, drilled brake rotor, fold down high pegs, tail bag, and a PC on board. Averaged 54mpg with normal use - runs very well @ 28k miles

They're good bikes.

http://www.savageriders.com/reelthing/pics/savage/F0193.JPG

I have seen that boat before!! are you near clear lake?
[/quote]

had it over there a couple times - but it lives under the house at san luis pass

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/20/10 at 10:25:29

How many miles are they good for? I saw a ratty ol, tired lookin 650 in a wal mart lot w/ (( IIRC) somewhere near 90,000 miles on it.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 04/20/10 at 20:25:33

I've put 13,000 miles on my '87 in the last two years, for a total of 16,000+ on the odometer. Most of those miles were at 70mph, which is our speed limit here. I've ridden it to work 45 miles in 18 degrees farenheit and 90 degrees plus. I've yanked several pieces off of it, modified several more, and even added a few.

It still runs strong, despite my efforts to modify it into oblivion. It burns a little oil, but that's easy enough to deal with.

I bought a parts bike with a seized engine and 19,000 miles on it. It burned oil too, and the water head that owned it forgot to fill it up.

My wife bought an '05 two years ago and loves it. I'm currently in negotiations for an '07, so I can hand mine down to my son. You'd have to know me to realize how unlikely it is that I'd buy three of anything that was Jap made, and how little brand loyalty plays a part in my life.

These are dandy bikes, and if the one you are looking at has been cared for, you won't go wrong buying it. $2000 sounds a bit high, but it is worth what the buyer is willing to pay to get it away from the seller.

Good luck, and have fun.

Sandy

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Tanker2Biker on 05/10/10 at 05:27:15

Can anybody tell me about the hiway pegs and brace on Reelthing's picture?

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by wicks on 05/11/10 at 07:06:34

I have a 2000 with about 13K and she still runs great.
I've rode my Savage to Sturgis (from Wisconsin) with no problems.
The furthest I've gone in one sitting is 550 miles, cruising around 75mph west across I90.

I recently upgraded to a 1300VTX, and was asked by all three dealerships if I was willing to sell the Savage to them (not trade in as I paid cash for the VTX). Apparently there is a whole subculture chopping and tricking these bike out. I was offered $2000 for my 2000 Savage. However my sone is 12 and I plan to kick it down to him when he turns 16.

It is a great bike, I would purchase the vehicle. I am not mechanically inclined, and with the help of this website i've done the following on my own.

Change air filter
Change oil and filter
Change front brakes
Adjust air/fuel mixture screw

All of which seems trivial to you mechanic types, but a big deal for me.

Great bike, great ride and low maintenance! Buy the bike!

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Oldfeller on 05/11/10 at 07:24:31

Short answer -- we don't know yet. List has a lot of old '87 model bikes on it that are still running.

More complex answer -- we have developed fixes and repair methods for all the major failure points discovered up to this point in time (23 years old & still racking up miles).

Logically, you could keep one of these bikes running "forever" if you chose to.

Highest mileage I remember seeing was 120,000 miles out of an European forum, but that was a while ago.

Hard answer -- my bike will still be running when I finally stop running.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by Charon on 05/11/10 at 08:14:27

In a sense they are like airplanes and cars. They will run just as long as you are willing to maintain them and replace broken parts. What often happens is something breaks and the owner decides the repair is not economically sound. I am getting close to that point with my pickup. Its book value is probably no more than $1000. I thought long and hard about spending $500 on a set of new tires, knowing the book value would essentially not change.

Title: Re: Thinking about buying a 2001 Savage... LOTS of
Post by gerald.hughes on 05/11/10 at 08:16:22

I got my Savage about a year and a half ago, along with a recommendation for this site. I have been very pleased with both. It seems to me that there are two groups of riders on this site. One group is made up of relatively new riders, and for them, the Savage is often their first bike. A lot of them think of it as a starter, and are planning to move on to a bigger or faster bike. The second groups is made up of old duffers like me, who have been riding a lot of years, have owned a lot of different bikes, and who have ended up riding and enjoying the Savage. Both groups appreciate the simplicity of the bike.

As for longevity, like most mechanical devices, it will last as long as you care for it, and are willing to make needed repairs and replacements. I have found that my Savage, and I have only put about 20K miles on it so far, is better than average as far as needing repair and replacement. It does require more maintenance, but it is easier to do than on most bikes, and costs a lot less. For my taste, it is a real keeper, not a techno bike, but more of a "Then Came Bronson" bike.