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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1277240255 Message started by ashintmc on 06/22/10 at 13:57:34 |
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Title: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by ashintmc on 06/22/10 at 13:57:34 I'm looking at getting my first bike ever and fell in love with the savage. There's a couple of problems though living in Kansas it's very hard to find a used one and my wifes father is an extremly pushy Harley guy and my dad Is a lifelong triumph buyer. Both have offered either a bonneville or nightster to me for the same price as new s40 and both have given me alot of greif over even looking at a savage. I don't know what to do as a beginner. If I get the savage what are somethings I cam tell them justify picking it over the bonne or Harley . Thanks in advance |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Tiefighterpilot on 06/22/10 at 14:13:03 I like the single cyl/single carb/belt design. Simple and easy to work with to maintain and modify. So unless you are getting a HD or Triumph with single/belt... you can make a case. But if they are very knowledgeable about HD or Triumph in terms of mech and maint, you won't hear the end of it, it you run into issues with a savage that you can't solve. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Bubba on 06/22/10 at 14:23:26 If they're offering to pay then I'd go with the Triumph. I've always liked the look of them. But why buy new??? You're best argument for the Suzi is that if you go used, you've only spent like 2500 for a pretty new bike that is way fun to ride. Plus, if they like to wrench their gonna love how easy the savage is to work on (except for the crappy screws). |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Paladin. on 06/22/10 at 14:48:52 Ride you own ride. Did they chose your wife? |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by verslagen1 on 06/22/10 at 14:58:10 Look you're a beginner right? Tell them you want a cheap light bike to get your wheels rolling and if you drop the thing, you'll only cry half a tear. Then when you got your wheels on straight you might take 'em up on their offer. Get yourself anything later than a '95 with under 20k miles for $1500 give or take 500 and have fun. Cut the muffler off and put a straight pipe so you're louder than the HD and he'll be impressed. Rejet it and make him cry when he can't shake you. Rub it in, call your bike a moped as in "your dad can't outrun a moped" |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Paladin. on 06/22/10 at 15:13:37 Many of how us can any bike we what. I want a wickedly quick light city bike. Can they do this?: http://paladin.savageriders.com/CanU.jpg (http://paladin.savageriders.com/Can-you-do-this.MOV) |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Serowbot on 06/22/10 at 15:46:54 What Versy says, is a good point... Plus,.. what Paladin says... 62716667787573717A25140 wrote:
0F3E333E3B36315F0 wrote:
Tell them it's what you like... That's why they ride what they ride... |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by ashintmc on 06/22/10 at 16:08:56 Thanks it actually helps when putting together a case(both are lawyers) another question that popped what are some unique things to look for on a used savage that wouldn't be common on bigger twins while I'm mildly mechanically oriented i just don't want to overlook something when I get it |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by bill67 on 06/22/10 at 16:56:20 If your looking for a round town bike and back roads the s40 is the best choice,But if you want to ride double and go any distance its not a good choice.If you buy and S40 buy new or other wise you will been spending your time working on it instead of riding. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Charon on 06/22/10 at 17:07:31 You said it would be your first bike ever, but you did not say whether you have ever ridden before. If you haven't I suggest finding and taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginning course before you even look at a motorcycle. You will have a chance to ride (a little) on their bikes instead of your own, and perhaps decide if the whole idea is what you want. One thing about the MSF course is that, in many states, successful completion waives the requirement to take a state driver's license test. It becomes possible to get a motorcycle endorsement on your license without even owning a motorcycle. Be advised there is at least one forum member who, based on a statistically invalid sample, believes the MSF course is dangerous and should be abolished. Just thought you't like to know before he chimes in. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by verslagen1 on 06/22/10 at 17:07:56 This one is really old school. Oil leaks are common but not difficult to fix... head plug - take head cover off and replace. visible behind header. head - retorque head if not too bad, new head gasket if it is. visible on underside of head. clutch arm - r&r cover, replace o-ring. various o-rings on inspection covers. valve ticking, easy to adjust, just like old vdub problems to watch out for are knocking on the right side above the oil filter cover, easy fix, just mutter cam chain $600 to fix. Take some time and isolate any noises you hear by touching various things and see if the noise goes away. A lot of the stuff your dad and in-law knows will transfer right over. and what they don't know we do. just ask, someone here's done it. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by bill67 on 06/22/10 at 17:12:29 I have never bought a used bike and never would,Young people do not take care of their stuff,How do I know I have a son and 3 son in laws.When I grew up people didn't have much so they took care of what they had.Today and for the last 25 years the kids have had almost anything they wanted,so it don't mean much to them. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Serowbot on 06/22/10 at 17:25:55 ... on the other hand,... I always buy used... Let some other guy take the sticker shock... a bike loses a thousand dollars of value when it leaves the dealership parking lot... I usually $1200 to $1800 for a Savage with 3 to 6 thousand miles on it... 96' to 04'... I've bought and sold 6 of them... I've got 24k miles on my 97' with no major problems... I paid $1500 for it back in 03' with 3200 miles on it... |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Routy on 06/22/10 at 18:03:31 I bought a used 07 a year ago for $2500, only because I couldn't tell it from a new one, and at 5,000 miles, still can't. I wanted to ride a Sporty before I bought anything, but after just sitting on one, I knew it wad'nt for me,.....apples to oranges in my book ! The Savage s-40 is very unique, basic no frills,.....just the way motorcycles were meant to be 8-) I wouldn't trade mine for any other bike,....or none that I've found yet. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by WD on 06/22/10 at 18:46:42 I wouldn't have another Evolution Sportster on a dare, given to me brand new, with free gas/oil/tires/pistons thrown in. For the length of my life. Top heavy, cramped, lousy power to weight ratio (stoplight to stoplight a Savage will eat a 1200 piglet), parts fall off (lights), leaky external oil tank and lines, undergeared, 2X6 seat "padding", rear cylinder overheats frequently... I haven't played with any modernized Bonnevilles, biggest difference I see against my 1964s (gave away because they were such heaps) is better electrical system and no more external oil tank/lines. The brakes are supposedly pretty good though. How many Savages do you see traded in for a Big Twin Harley versus how many Sporties come back within a year for something better, more comfortable, larger... A new Savage is a $4500 throw away. A new Sporty is an $8-12K throw away. No matter how much you like riding, you buy a new ride, you've thrown that money away. You'll never get back your initial investment if you move on to something else. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by bill67 on 06/22/10 at 18:55:44 Would anyone expect to sale a S40 he bought new for more than he paid for it. As long as I can remember when you buy a car ,motorcycle,lawn mower,and so on they go down in value. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by verslagen1 on 06/22/10 at 18:59:27 How about a 1957 t-bird? |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by WD on 06/22/10 at 19:14:07 My neighbor's 1950 Indian Chief Roadmaster sold new for less than $2000. It sold a couple years ago for $60,000... and it hadn't been run since the mid 1960s. His 1968 Camaro (big block, 4 spd, convertible) sold for $250,000. Last ran in 1969. My 1957 Panhead parts junker is worth $7000 as it sits. I got it for free earlier this year. My 1998 Savage cost me $4200 out the door, brand new. I've put over $10,000 worth of parts and time into it since then. It's worth about 17 cents a pound at current scrap rates... Somethings can increase in value over time. An Evo Sporty or modern Triumph won't be worth more than their composite scrap value in any of our lifetimes. Too many of them out there. So I'd buy the Savage, have my fun and if the old goats don't like it, too bad for them. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by bill67 on 06/22/10 at 20:08:14 My neighbors got a 1910 model T Ford with 2500 miles looks like new what do you think its worth. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by verslagen1 on 06/22/10 at 20:38:55 So you do remember! |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by BurnPgh on 06/22/10 at 22:29:02 5241050 wrote:
Which is why I advocate buying used. I wouldnt spend more than $2500 on a savage (depending on your area). I bought a '95 with 9500mi for $1500 2 years ago after upgrading from a rebel 250. I fell in love with it and have absolutely no intention of ever getting rid of it. Once you learn to ride and wrench a while you will "outgrow" its stock configuration and limits. The awesome thing about the savage is that you can mod the bike to grow with you for pennies compared to a Harley. Go ahead and ask the Harley dealer how much for forward controls. Savage price...+/- $100. Ask how much to rebore fron 883 to 1200. Savage price ... From 94mm bore to 97mm (with a high comp piston at that) will cost you about $300. This is assuming you do most of your own labor, and the savage is so simple theres no reason you shouldnt after you've done some basic maint. and gotten up your confidence. Lancer is leading in the mod department and his last rendition gained him 50% increase in HP from stock 30 to 45. And he's done even more. He's expecting in excess of 50HP with his latest round of mods. It's a light, nimble, reasonably powerful (for a beginner), simply designed, easily maintained, cheap to buy and insure, fuel efficient pallet for riders to paint on. Buy one, ride it, wrench it, make it yours. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Bubba on 06/23/10 at 08:18:56 I always buy used...everything. New is new but you can get a used s40 with barely any miles for 1/2 the price of used. The warranty on new is only 12 months anyway so what's the point? http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/1800890619.html |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by ashintmc on 06/23/10 at 08:36:22 407760606333323A31020 wrote:
hey thanks for the target . just finished my msf course this weekend hated the rebels they had me on needed a little more oomph. So took the bonne out and that was too much for me as a beginner its a 800+ displacement. so one dad down now on to the inlaws lolz. gonna take a test ride at one of the little podunk dealers here has a 2004 for 1800$ i ll let you guys know what happens. really have enjoyed all the tests ive done on the savage over any of the others. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Bubba on 06/23/10 at 08:59:32 1800 bucks ROCKS...I bought my '06 for 1900 with 7200 miles and he threw in saddlebag brackets, gloves and a pack...he would have given me his helmet but his melon was way bigger than mine... :) P.S. we used Honda Nighthawks in our training...they felt like toys! |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by ashintmc on 06/23/10 at 09:19:49 I hope that its worth my time. it had a dent in the gas tank and some screwed up pegs but if it runs fine im sure i can get some cheap pegs otherwise ill keep my eyes open. it has bags and a windshield to make up the dings . ill post a pic if i get it thanks for all the input |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Bubba on 06/23/10 at 09:24:38 I know you're in the middle of Kansas and all but sometimes it's worth it to wait for the best deal to come along. I almost drove to Colorado Springs from Denver to pick one up in a trailer...she had sold it to someone else and was kind enough to e-mail me and let me know before I rented the trailer. 2 weeks later I saw the one that I finally bought...even talked him down 100 bucks. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by WD on 06/23/10 at 21:05:51 I've had: Knuckleheads, Panheads, both styles of Shovelheads, Ironhead Sportsters, Evo Sportsters, Evo Big Twins, 45" flatheads, 74" Chief flatheads, Scouts, BSAs, Triumphs, Henderson, Excelsior, BMW, Hondas, Kawasakis, Yamahas, Suzukis, Benelli, Hodaka, Husqvarna, even had a Puch for awhile. I've got a beat to s**t Panhead, a beat to s**t Honda 250 Scrambler turned tracker/cafe cross (shame the ultra-rare CL72 was already cut up when I got it), a Rickman Zundapp that is slated to get a Benelli 2 stroke engine, and a heavily butchered Savage. This one: http://www.ravenscroftart.net/watchtower/pokeydone1.jpg It now has a set of 800 Intruder rear shocks, so the back end sits a good bit higher. But, that photo came out like crap. You can do anything with these bikes and 99% of the time they will take it. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by drd1135 on 06/24/10 at 08:00:49 I'll delurk for a minute. I have a 2003 Savage and and 2005 "1200 conversion" Sportster. I bought the Savage first and learned to ride before I bought the Harley. My wife still uses the Savage but, given that she doesn't ride much, I will take it out periodically to put some miles on it. Firstly, the Savage is a much better starter bike than a Sporty. It's lighter and feels a bit lower. Not only is it easier to handle, but being lighter, you get less damage is you drop it during low speed maneuvers, which are the hardest part for beginners. It has a similar power to weight ratio as the 883 Sporty (just look up the numbers, especially the torque numbers) For long distance riding, I've changed the seat of the Sportster so now it's more comfortable. Still, the Savage is pretty good especially considering it's still stock. As someone that rides both, my observation is that the bikes have similar power characteristics, with the the Savage easier to ride and the Sporty more comfy on long rides. As a starter bike, the Savage is a no brainer. The Sporty is harder to ride. Whether you keep the Savage or trade away is a matter of preference. Of course, you can always have one of each. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by groupus on 06/24/10 at 10:49:53 i got my savage as a beginner bike over smaller cc bikes because i didn't want to have to trade up as soon, but i love it now. as you can see, its not just for beginners as some of the members have settle on these after riding all sorts of stuff. i do wish mine was a little more gutsy on the highway, but a stock one will do 90mph no prob. don't know what kind of riding you'll be doing. in town they're good. long distance: you may want to make some comfort mods. they're light, quick, easy to ride, easy to maintain (except you have to take the seat and gas tank off to work on anything), and cheap to modify. oh, and great mpg. i've only ever owned the savage, but would love to own both a triumph and a sportster. that sounds like a good price for them too (depending on the year and mileage), but a used savage can be had for half that. think of the beer money! also, i wouldn't enjoy having people tell me what i should ride. get what YOU want. i've got a chip on my shoulder about harley riders too. the majority seem to have more money than brains. the Harley: an American classic, but you'll blend in with every other a$$hole out there. the Triumph: great looking, classy, but not sure about reliability. the Savage: cheap, reliable, you'll get looks and "what is that??" plus a big grin on your face :D just my $.02 |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by Charon on 06/24/10 at 13:13:25 I am sure to catch flak for this, but as a rule stock motorcycles tend to be more reliable than modded ones. Minor body mods such as fenders, mirrors, foot pegs and so on have little effect, however. Motorcycles seem to bring out the "modify it and make it your own" folks. I have caught flak before for saying that modifications tend to reduce resale value - but they do. It is your money and your choice, but if it were me I would consider keeping it stock for a while. After all, the time you spend modifying is time you won't be riding. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by BurnPgh on 06/24/10 at 21:51:20 0C272E3D20214F0 wrote:
+1 to a point. Uncharted waters tend to bring about mishaps from time to time. Good thing is...extensive mods have already been tried and perfected on the savage. There's a lot you can do to make it your own that you dont have to be the first person to try. From practicality in maint, to cosmetic to performance. Lots of options. Extensive modding does lend itself to (1 - addiction. Its easy to start tinkering and never finish (2 - From time to time you may well f$*k something up that you have to go back and fix. That being said...I personally have no plans of selling my savage so I dont mind tinkering and putting money into it to make it my own. Being a new rider you may or may not end up wanting something else in the future. Before you go doing anything extensive it is a good idea to decide what you're plans are for the bike because if you decide to sell, Charon is right...anything that isnt stock will be a hit, even if modest, to the resale value. I figure you'll have it a year or two before you get up your confidence enough to start changing anything major. By that time Im geussing you'll have made the cost/benefit analysis deciding whether the savage is a keeper or if you'd like something else...or both, but again...for a beginner the savage is a good bike and its a blank slate for much more if you decide to take that route. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/24/10 at 22:35:24 Used are so mu8ch cheaper. I bought new in 05. Had I known what I do now, I would have bought used. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by groupus on 06/25/10 at 12:57:52 0730372B15222D450 wrote:
+1 to a point. Uncharted waters tend to bring about mishaps from time to time. Good thing is...extensive mods have already been tried and perfected on the savage. There's a lot you can do to make it your own that you dont have to be the first person to try. From practicality in maint, to cosmetic to performance. Lots of options. Extensive modding does lend itself to (1 - addiction. Its easy to start tinkering and never finish (2 - From time to time you may well f$*k something up that you have to go back and fix. That being said...I personally have no plans of selling my savage so I dont mind tinkering and putting money into it to make it my own. Being a new rider you may or may not end up wanting something else in the future. Before you go doing anything extensive it is a good idea to decide what you're plans are for the bike because if you decide to sell, Charon is right...anything that isnt stock will be a hit, even if modest, to the resale value. I figure you'll have it a year or two before you get up your confidence enough to start changing anything major. By that time Im geussing you'll have made the cost/benefit analysis deciding whether the savage is a keeper or if you'd like something else...or both, but again...for a beginner the savage is a good bike and its a blank slate for much more if you decide to take that route.[/quote] i agree 100%. Charon is *gasp* absolutely right. :o haha. stock will give you the longest lasting, most economical machine. little things for comfort improve the ride - windshield, forward controls, bars, seat. an exhaust maybe to make it not sound so much like a sewing machine. replace the tank with a bigger one or a sporty if yours is dented. sooner of later, you'll make SOME mod, and then BAM! you caught the bug. haha. my addiction was accelerated by needing to repair after my first crash :-/. but the savage is easy to mod and you got a great bunch of people here to help. just stay away from the carb and engine and you shouldn't have trouble. ;D |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/25/10 at 19:51:35 stay away from the carb and engine and you shouldn't have trouble. or fun...J/K, Youll have ablast. A fork brac`e is a good mod to do. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by BurnPgh on 06/25/10 at 22:09:21 3F2026213C3B0A3A0A32202C67550 wrote:
It's only fun until you're about halfway done. The second half of the process is pure frustration that you havent got it JUST right yet...but you're not sure until your done where half way was. By the time you figure out the end and halfway point you'll have forgotten when you started and when you realize you're finished you'll have to start all over...just because the first half was so much fun. |
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Title: Re: Trying to figure out if I should get an s40 Post by WD on 06/26/10 at 06:06:49 Other than a carb rejet I don't mess with the engine. On any metric. My 99 Vulcan 800A had shaved cylinder heads, port matched intake and exhaust, a full balance and blueprint, Cobra exhaust and a K&N filter when I bought it. I flog my bikes like I hate them, I got 44K miles out of it in the 18 months i had it. Bottom end was knocking when I sold it. My 2005 Vulcan 800B (Classic) had stone stock engine and peripherals when I bought it. Ran great for the 3 months I had it. Steering head bearing locked up at 20 mph in a tight curve, down it went, as soon as I was able to ride post-op, I sold it. My Savage, even with all the peculiar mods I've done, really only suffers from electrical bugs. And it had those showroom new. I've got the experience to ride anything out there, but choose to keep the baby bike around. It's funny, but when it is done, the Panhead will be the back up bike to the Savage. I'd rather ride light and tight... man could that ever be taken the wrong way... ;D |
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