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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> New here, considering new Savagei
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Message started by Suitcase Jefferson on 04/17/11 at 22:01:32

Title: New here, considering new Savagei
Post by Suitcase Jefferson on 04/17/11 at 22:01:32

Hi, my name is Jerry, I just joined. I have a chance to buy a brand new 2010 S40 for $4299 OTD, with enough money left to get the sissy bar/luggage rack and some saddlebags. My current bike is a '93 Vulcan 750 bought new with 87,000 miles on it, and is on it's last legs. Compression is still good, but the cam chains (all four of them) are badly worn, and the adjusters have already been shimmed. So I need a new bike, but can no longer afford a bike of that size/type. I don't want to buy used, and I have always liked the LS650/S40. I am 6' 200 pounds, so it might seem I am too big for this bike, but have sat on several, and took one for a test ride, and I seem to fit fine. This is the only cruiser of it's size for anywhere near the price, and I love it's simplicity. I am an auto mechanic, and can work on bikes, but the Vulcan is so complex it would cost as much as a new Savage to rebuild.

This would be an automatic decision, but everywhere I go, people keep telling me about all the mechanical issues the Savage has, especially the cam chain. So I thought I would ask about it from people who know what they are talking about, actual owners. Would appreciate any and all opinions and advice. Thanks, Jerry.

Title: Re: New here, considering new Savagei
Post by Serowbot on 04/17/11 at 23:34:54

Cam chain is the weak link on this bike... it goes between 15 and 30k miles... Verslagen here has a fix for it that will forever prevent catastrophic failure.... You're a mechanic so it's not too bad. Fix it once and you're safe from then on.
The other major flaw is the petcock.... Replace with a Yamaha 660 Raptor manual shut-off for $25.00 and this bike is bulletproof...
6", 200lbs makes you a little feller compared to some guys here... No worries...
If you want a fun, peppy little squirt, with great personality, that gets 60mpg, has strong legs but not long legs, and is easy to work on and customize,... this is the bike...
If you want to cruise at 90+, two up, and never feel the need for more... you need a mega-cruiser...
We love our bike... it's the most customizable, fun machine currently out there...

... and Pssst!... it's a secret!... so keep it under your hat.... We don't want the riffraff to know....
:-?...

Title: Re: New here, considering new Savagei
Post by verslagen1 on 04/17/11 at 23:46:49

Well, there's only one cam chain and if you've had to work on it to get it to last 87k miles then the savage will be pretty similar. The cam chain is an issue, but if taken care of, not a problem. A lot of owners are afraid to turn a wrench on her so they dump it when the cam chain issue comes up on an unsuspecting newb. Who never checks it dumping the valves into the piston.

The last car I worked on was a 68 vw bus, working on the savage is just like that.

Keep the maintenance up and it'll last a long time.

Title: Re: New here, considering new Savagei
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/18/11 at 03:17:50

There is another design flaw inspired failure. The clutch throwout lever needs a radius where the Big Load hits.

Title: Re: New here, considering new Savagei
Post by lukeduck on 04/18/11 at 10:07:23

Yep, get the S40. Keep the 750 Vulcan (I really wish I still had mine). Rebuild the Vulcan at your leisure. OK, that's my two cents. What ever you decide:Ride safe, far, and often.

Title: Re: New here, considering new Savagei
Post by S40Geezer on 04/18/11 at 14:50:30

I'm 6'1" 188 lbs., and I'm perfectly happy with mine, but on the few occasions I've carried a passenger things have felt cramped. No shortage of power for me up to 65+ mph.