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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> next bike after Savage /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1363659471 Message started by Steampowered Boy on 03/18/13 at 19:17:51 |
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Title: next bike after Savage Post by Steampowered Boy on 03/18/13 at 19:17:51 I'm sure this has been asked before, but I couldn't find it; what would you people in the know suggest for a next bike purchase? I've been riding off and on for 35 years, took a 10 year hiatus then bought an S40 about a year ago because i wanted to refresh my skills on a smaller more forgiving bike. Now that I'm feeling fairly confident about my riding skills, I'm looking at an "upgrade". I am not opposed to any manufacturer nor do I have any kind of 'brand loyalty' that would cause me to choose one over the other; i just want to find a nice, decently powered cruiser that could handle 300 miles a day comfortably. Since I haven't really ridden anything other than the S40 and a early 90s Virago in the past 20 years, I figured I would appeal to the knowledge of the forum. thank you in advance for any suggestions. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by oldsavage on 03/18/13 at 19:51:33 Honda 1300 or 1800, very 'travel' adaptable (bags/rack and seats) and forgiving because of the shaft drive. I had one and enjoyed it, rode from florida to illinois without much problem, only thing is I was always reaching for sixth gear. Low center of gravity so you can flat foot it even me at 5'10" comfortably. And they don't cost an arm and a leg like my HD RoadGlide...LOL :o |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/18/13 at 21:38:53 Thats like asking what kinda Car to get. Man, What do you Want from a bike? A quick across town scoot? Thats the Savage. A Long run down the slab? Nope, Savage aint top dog for that. Theres a reason there are so many styles out there. There are people whose riding pleasures are addressed better by one of them more than the others. Just having gotten good at riding what ya have is no reason to ditch it. If you want a Good, Solid, dependable, No Futssin bike, go hunt up a Kawasaki W-650. I woulda never bought the Guzzi if I had known they existed. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by MMRanch on 03/18/13 at 21:47:19 I've been looking at the Triumph Speedmaster 865cc . Kinda like a two cylinder Savage with more seat room , same kinda power just more of it. Oh , and a 5 gal gas tank to boot ! ;) I might just have to get one (soon as the car payments quit) . |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by PerrydaSavage on 03/19/13 at 02:55:54 My brother used to own a Vulcan VN900 Classic ... rode it for 3 yrs without a single mechanical issue ... comfortable, not too big, not too small ... can handle 300mi days no problem and it won't break the bank ... especially if you can find a decent pre-owned one. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Greg on 03/19/13 at 04:24:42 405F595E43447545754D5F53182A0 wrote:
Now that's a sweet lookin' ride! |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by ToesNose on 03/19/13 at 04:55:09 Yea I wish they would bring the W-650 or any of the versions of it back to the states! Two years of them here didn't leave many to be had =/ |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by bobert_FSO on 03/19/13 at 07:12:10 It all depends on what you want. After a 300 mi day trip with friends, my Savage kept up fine with the other bikes, but I wanted something that wasn't quite so cramped for my 6', 275lbs. I wanted somthing still relatively light weight, since most of my riding is short rides both in and out of town. I didn't want a large, heavy, big displacement roadburner. My budget for motorcycle fun is small, so cost was a factor. Also, it needed to be relatively simple from a mechanical perspective so I could still do my own maintenance. I ended up with an older ('98) Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic. Single carb v-twin, 18k miles, $3000. So far, it is fitting all my my needs. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by dinsdale on 03/19/13 at 08:08:44 6A515B4D70514D5B3E0 wrote:
They have the W800 now but in Europe only. :-( Thinking Triumph Thruxton in a year or two for myself if they don't bring the W in. My neighbour has a W650. Fun bike. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by 12Bravo on 03/19/13 at 09:04:20 My other bike was a Suzuki Burgman 650 scooter for long hauls. I have since traded the Burgman in for a Yamaha V Star 1100 for my long trips. I feel more comfortable putting a trike kit or side car on the V Star versus on the Burgman. My S40 is still my short trip/carve up the back roads bike. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by ALfromN.H. on 03/19/13 at 10:18:48 I still have my S40 (for now) and also have a C50. I like the C50 except that it came with a suzuki seat. I put a Mustang seat on but haven't had a chance to ride yet. 12" of fresh snow today. I found a new (still in the crate) 2009 C50 in 2011 from the dealer for $5000.00 out the door. Might be a good idea to see if any of the dealers in your area have any leftovers in the warehouse. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by sjaskow on 03/19/13 at 10:23:28 I'm think of a Honda CTX 700N http://powersports.honda.com/2014/ctx700n.aspx for my next one. I considered a NC700X which has gotten good reviews but I was a little wary of the 32" seat height since I have a wonky knee. The CTX700N has a 28" which is only slightly taller than the S40. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Steampowered Boy on 03/19/13 at 16:13:51 I'm thinking either the Vulcan 900, V-Star 950 or maybe a Boulevard C50 thus far. Any opinions? Should I go bigger so I don't wish in a few years for more power? |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/19/13 at 16:40:19 It REALLY Depends on WHAT YOU WANT to do. Mite I suggest a good dirt bike? No? Why not? Because you arent interested in dirt riding? Why do you think youll lose interest in your bike?> Why will you need More POwer in 3 years? Do you want raw power? Or do you want some particular kind of riding experience you can put into words? |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Greg on 03/19/13 at 17:23:46 Get a Harley. Real bikers have Harleys. ;D :o ::) :-? |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by ToesNose on 03/19/13 at 17:30:30 Keep the S40 and get a different type of bike also!!! S40 for around town and local jaunts and an adventure bike for long hauls and some light offroading! ;) |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Steampowered Boy on 03/19/13 at 17:31:17 JOG, are you trying to get me to admit to some sort of hidden agenda? Maybe "...I want it sparkly enough to attract small children but fast enough to outrun the 'To Catch a Predator' crew...." If you want to participate, read the original post for the criteria. If you don't actually have any suggestions for a midsize cruiser which will have a 300-400 mile a day range then just refrain from posting. Anyone have any experience with the Triumph American to recommend/discredit it? |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by LostArtist on 03/19/13 at 18:39:33 yamaha 950 |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by ZAR on 03/19/13 at 19:04:50 Steamy on the subject of the Triumphs, I prefer the Speedmaster over the America. Performance-wise they are much the same,it's just that the America has too much brightwork for my taste and looks too much like a Hurley Divotson copy. The Triumph is THE bike I'd have if not a Savage. It's not fast and not a true "twisties" scooter but it's stable and heavy enough to be a good interstate cruiser if needed and still a fun ride on the two-lane runs. Like any scoot,the Triumphs need a little tweaking to make it your own but off the rack you can ride easy 300+ mile days. One friend and his lady did a couple of "Iron Butt" runs last year,him on his HD Soft-tail and her on an older 790cc Triumph Speedmaster. She didn't get as tired or as saddle-sore as he did! Remember...this opinion and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee at McD's ;) |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/19/13 at 20:39:34 I apologize, I missed this part i just want to find a nice, decently powered cruiser that could handle 300 miles a day comfortably. Cruiser? You want feet out front? Howzabout dependability & ease of maintenance ? |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by WD on 03/20/13 at 08:40:36 Older Kawasaki VN800, any of the 3 flavors. Best metric middleweight twins, bar none. The 900s are just the same engines with belt drive, fuel injection and a slight overbore (and hideous fenders, seats, bars, and shiny bits). The 800A is a road burner, I blew out the speedometer drive on my 99 once and the speedometer itself once, wide open, needle pegged (140+). But, and it's a big but, mine was putting out close to 60hp at the rear wheel courtesy of a LOT of modifications... The 800B is a sofa on wheels, doesn't handle at all compared to an A or a Savage since it has same size wheels on both ends. Once you get used to the slower steering response of a short wide tire, 130/90-16 front, it's a very good bike. With a 150/80-16 rear it absorbs road issues beautifully (and you can run wide whites with NO hunting for them). 800 Drifter is the best looking, retains the most value and is the hardest to find. With a 2 up seat it looks horrid, solo seat, especially the high mount version, it looks like a modernized Scout. You can easily make a Savage a 3-400 mile a day bike with bar, seat and foot peg work. Swap the pegs for floor boards, use a large (K model) sprung solo seat, VS800 Intruder rear shocks, and taller wider handlebar. That said, if you liked the Virago, get a V-star. Same basic engine, modernized, in a whole lot more comfortable chassis. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by oldsavage on 03/20/13 at 12:31:45 You want to buy a Harley? I'm selling my 2007 RoadGlide with a detachable trike system. I am no longer strong enough to pick it back up after a drop (recovering from a cancer bout, winning it too!). Know what i've purchased for my new touring bike? A 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300, yuup! a 300...i'm in the process of designing my own tour rack and pack system. This thing is light (385lbs), fuel injected, water cooled, and gets up to 70mpg. LOL go figure, from a "real" biker to a "squid"...NOT... Also the 300 gets up to 100+mph, not much over but I don't figure i'll need to do that speed, it rides comfortably at 75mph for the interstate, but I won't be traveling much on the interstate. Think about what you want vrs affordability, durability and feasability...Like the man said... What you want is first, you have figured that out...now figure out which way to do that. And I hope my comment shed a little bit of light on a "different" angle. P.S. Keep your current bike! ya never know if your happy with the new choice untill you ride it awhile and you might find you miss the old one! |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by RidgeRunner13 on 03/20/13 at 15:04:57 After buying my my first Savage in 1988 & riding it until '95, I bought another in 2001 & a 3rd one in 2005 that I still have. In Nov. 2009 I bought a V-Star 950T for longer rides. The 950 has 16k maintenance intervals & has proven to be a very reliable bike..It now has 24K on it. Before I bought it I went to every dealer & set on every bike I was interested in. This was the one that fit me best. Price wasn't a consideration at the time. I could have picked a $20,000 bike if I wanted but none of them were what I wanted . The most important thing is to get the machine that suits you. My buddy bought a C50 4 months before I bought my 950. When it was 15 months old we were on a ride to the Three Twisted Sisters & stopped at Destination Cycles in Kerrvile where he traded for a 950T. The C50 required maintenance every 6k & was a royol pain in the azz to do. He saved $1200 in maintenance costs alone by geting the 950. He has 34,000 miles on his now riding to work every day. Check the maintenance costs & insurance costs on any bike you are interested in. Bikes under 1000cc get a break, & HDs costs more to insure because they are stolen more often. At least that is what my agent told me when I was shopping for my new bike. BTW, It only cost me $7 a year to add my wife to my Savage insurance, which has full coverage, & I was told that will be less when they get her MSF certificate. 8-) 8-) |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Blinky on 03/20/13 at 16:54:37 Last December the good wife went with me to the Suzuki dealership. While I was at the parts counter, she walked the showroom and found a dark red over black 2012 C50 she liked the look of. I think she has always thought I looked a little foolish on the S40 (6'2" and 220, me, not her). In short, she offered to buy the bike for me as a Christmas gift. I toyed with the idea but ended up passing for several reasons. One of those reasons was that I have always hated to buy new cars. The depretiation is intense and immediate and it would be the same for the bike. I learned long ago there are always good deals out there if you are patient. I bought my 2007 S40 with 3,600 miles in February 2012 for $1,500. I just came back from looking at a 2007 C50 with only 2,000 miles on the clock. They have it for sale at a very reasonable price and I have yet to make an offer. Your assignment Mr. Phelps, is to talk me out of it. This post will self distruct in 5 seconds. I phrased it this way because, unless something ugly jumps up, it will be "Mission Impossible" to talk me out of it. More to come. Good hunting |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Boofer on 03/22/13 at 21:43:56 I've thought about what I want, eventually. My wife and I decided to not ride together until our daughter leaves home. We want to spread out our chances of leaving an orphan. One thing I do notice now is a trend toward a smaller, less comfortable seat for the passenger, even on some nice cruisers. I don't know the ratio, but there are several older folks on here with spouses who crave comfort more than sporty looks. I'm sorry I don't really have a favorite, but I would take the wife along and let her try out her perch if you intend to ride double. :) |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by PerrydaSavage on 03/23/13 at 03:54:34 Am gonna say that Yamaha's new 950 Bolt looks like an ideal "next Bike" for an LS650 owner! 8-) |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by wheelsoffreedom76 on 03/23/13 at 14:10:25 I've got my eye on the Suzuki DR650 and DRZ400, maybe even a DRZ400SM with the funky little tires. Then my S40 would have a bud to hang with in the garage. Maybe later a Ninja 300 or 650. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Rogue_Cheddar on 03/25/13 at 08:30:17 I have the Vstar 1300 which is awesome. I'm very partial to the Yamahas. Check out their new 'Bolt' 950 factory bobber, very cool. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Steampowered Boy on 03/29/13 at 20:54:13 yeah, I have been looking at the Bolt too, it's definitely in the running with the VStar 950 and the Vulcan 900. I rode someone's Star 1300 recently and it seemed pretty big; the owner, as well as another follow in the group who was on his 1300 Star said that they've owned them for 3 years have spent nearly $4000 in repairs on them and the dealer still can't find out how to fix an issue with the lifters that causes a "ticking" noise when it's warmed up. It seems to just be on the 1300 though from what Yamaha says. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by ToesNose on 03/31/13 at 05:21:32 WOW that Bolt is cool looking :D http://imageshand.yamahamotors.com/img.jpg?id=20614&class=med640 |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Smokestack on 04/02/13 at 13:27:46 The Bolt is pretty sweet, even if it is a straight up copy of a Sportster, for the most part. Yeah, yeah, the tank's different and it's Japanese, but I'd bet my right arm that it was a calculated marketing move to poach some of the young buck sporty riders out there. Not that thats a bad thing, mind you, healthy competition and all that. I don't know yet if I like it more or less than a Sporty, but either would make a good "step up" if you feel the need. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by jiminapex on 04/02/13 at 13:41:04 Just sharing in case it will help your decision. I've ridden a BMW R1150GS for the last 8 years, and a BMW R1100R for 5 years before that. I bought a used S40 in 2011 and bobbed it over the winter of 2012. So far, I've ridden the S40 more than I ever rode either of the BMWs. It's lighter, easier to manuever, and just plain more fun. Now, of course the BMW is a completely different bike and makes traveling a breeze. It'll do a 500 mile day no sweat. However, for riding to work and back, or just around town, It think the S40 is tops. I tried a Honda 750 Shadow recently too. Nice bike, but the S40 is still the one I prefer to ride. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/03/13 at 12:31:13 Im not a big guy, standing tall, 5'6". Im about 150 pounds & Im not strong any more. I had a Guzzi Nevada, saddle is a bit high, toes on the ground straight up, a little lean & 1 foot flat. I stopped where some small gravel was scattered around & my foot slid out. Nearly did what I call the "Power splits", but was able with great effort to halt that foot & hold it up. Ive even had the 40 come close, but it was easier to save. Said all that to say this... The way the 40 is built, low & pretty light, makes it much easier for me to keep it off the ground in those situations where gravity has an advantage & my traction is limited. It also has enough power to accelerate & work thru traffic OR cover me if I miss an oncoming car & pull out & realize I Need, I mean I NEED to get the heck on & get outta the WAY,, & yes, Ive done that. On a Honda 50, I woulda been a hood ornament,.,. I can rip across town on the 40, Im not having to contend with an unwieldy hulk. Its light & quick. For where I ride, its just a really good tool to solve my transportation problems. IF I was wanting to make a long ride, like 3 or 400 miles in a day, Id rather have a bike that more comfortable at high speeds. The 40 runs 70 MPH okay & its fun, but not all day. If I was gonna do that, Id want something heavier & with a windshield. Something the engine wasnt putting out over 80% of max to keep it at highway speeds. Something that had the kind of acceleration reserves at 70 that a guy mite need to avoid a problem at speed. What bike answers those questions? Dang, theres a bunch O them. Ive never owned a big heavy bike, never will, unless someone wills me one. ( Hint, hint,, :) ) I live out in the sticks, County roads for about 5 or 6 miles before I hit real civilization. The 40 runs thru those curves, corners & lumpy, poorly maintained roads fine. It easily blends into traffic, accelerating easily & making progress thru traffic effortlessly. It has everything I could ask for in a local area kinda transportation device. With some clever work, it can be made to haul all kindsa struff. Ive had backpacks strapped onto each side & a gym bag, reinforced with 1/8th ply & D-Rings sewn on, strapped on the seat, extending past the tail light. All easily removed, making it easy to carry in groceries & put them up, Slap them on, run errands, take them off, run wild. All to say, the 40 is versatile. Its quick & fun. I think its the right tool for my job. It may not be the right tool for your job. There may BE a better tool out there for what you want. But, if youre wanting to run from home, into town, knock out a few errands, pick a few things up & get home & do it quickly & have fun, riding something thats more like a pet horse than a wild mustang, always requiring your attention to keep it from biting you. ( I was never able to be fully comfortable coming to a stop on the Guzzi. Thats THE moment, for me, when Im most "at risk" for dropping a bike. The 40 is the least worrisome Ive ridden. Ive never asked,, Is this a Point others have?) Anyway, if youre feeling youve graduated from the 40 & your transportation needs arent fully met by it, I hope you find something that Fits YOU, allows you to feel comfortable on it, able to be in control of it thru all the little things we encounter regularly, sand & gravel at a stop sign & such. Weve got a road that intersects another & a stop sign. Just as ya get there, the road has a rise to it thats so steep that If ya stop At the stop sign, the front tire is high & the distance from seat to asphalt it enormous.. Very bad for a biker. ONly option is to stop back.. & thats fine, as long as some idiot on a cell phone isnt behind you,, Anyway, I hope you can keep the 40 a while after ya get whatever you decide on. You may decide its just too cool to get rid of. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by houstonbofh on 04/03/13 at 19:48:54 Aida has the Savage, and I have a Marauder. The bikes do share a lot of parts, but mine just makes more power... And it is still very light. Stock is under 500 pounds wet, and a lot of people bob them out to far less than that. If you just want a Savage that is just a little bigger, the Marauder is not a bad choice. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Gentlemanjim on 05/06/13 at 23:50:32 S50 the next logical step up |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by PerrydaSavage on 05/07/13 at 00:35:57 Suzuki VS800/S50 is a logical move up from the S40/Savage and are decent machines ... but MHO, the S50 has got to be the most "soul-less" Bike I have ever owned ... and that battery compartment is enough to drive a person into an asylum ... the engineer who invented that should have been ridiculed and flogged publically ... |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Serowbot on 05/07/13 at 00:46:26 If I were going to "bump up".... I might actually bump down to an XT350 Yamaha... but they quit making them... (no bother, I only buy used)... Up would be a 883 Sportster....(too much $$$)... ... a Ducati 600, 620i, 6 whatever... (too much valve adjustment)... ... a Ninja 650... I'd crash it... (too much,.. muchness)... So,... I'm a Savage guy... :-?... I can afford it,.. I can fix it,... I can ride it, without being coaxed into trouble... :P... At this point,.. I think the only things that would move me of my perch... would be... ... a need to rooster tail... ... and excess of cash... ... or, a need to go 2-up...(which I would beg a significant other to reconsider)... I used to ride chicks on the pillion, carefree... but, I couldn't stand the potential guilt today... ...(the advent of cell phones, has made riding, into a lethal game of dodge-ball)... I still play... but, only my hand... :-? |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by ToesNose on 05/07/13 at 04:38:47 JOG you nailed the way I feel, I'm mainly a local country roads rider. As for interstate travel I don't see that being something in my near future maybe when my son is older and I have more personal time. That being said I also love the LS650 for what it is and does for me, but I wouldn't mind adding to the stable, my two favorites hopefully I'll own one day- Kawasaki W650 http://www.realclassic.co.uk/triumph04032203.jpg Royal Enfield C-5 http://bikeglam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2012-Royal-Enfield-Bullet-C5-Chorome-is-standing-on-the-road-for-inspiration.jpg |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by Bubba on 05/07/13 at 08:07:41 steampowered, have you looked at the M50? I keep looking at them myself...they have the power for the highway, look nice and low (love the forks on 'em). The only thing is, they're definately heavier... I really think the S40 is my kinda ride but sometimes I'd like to take my wife along w/o her (and me) feeling cramped. Living in the wild west here hiways are always covered with big long-haul cruisers and I'd like to take some long trips but, in reality, the S40 is what I'm gonna keep for now 'cuz i can use it ALL the time not just sometimes.... I actually have been into the smaller rides lately...like really small...like 35 yr old 49.5cc moped small...I got one of my mopeds up to 40 the other day and felt like a 12 yr old!!!! http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz155/onelunger/IMG-20130430-00085_zpse58dbd0e.jpg |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by MMRanch on 05/07/13 at 08:27:36 Steam'er Steamy on the subject of the Triumphs, I prefer the Speedmaster over the America. Performance-wise they are much the same,it's just that the America has too much brightwork for my taste and looks too much like a Hurley Divotson copy. The Triumph is THE bike I'd have if not a Savage. It's not fast and not a true "twisties" scooter but it's stable and heavy enough to be a good interstate cruiser if needed and still a fun ride on the two-lane runs. Check these out and let us know ! ;) |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/07/13 at 09:06:43 I also have a Kawasaki W-650,, I think theyre beautiful & easy to ride.Not heavy, not too tall, & they dont have ( as Rowboat puts it) too much MUchness to lure a guy in over his head. & I AM easily lured into the deep end & I am not a great swimmer. |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by SuperSavage on 05/07/13 at 11:28:20 I have a 2006 s40 with - modded handlebars, fork brace, 6" forward controls, Dyna muff and tach- and a Vulcan 800A. The s40 is definitely lighter and more nimble but the bikes are very similar in geometry. The Vulcan rides much smoother and has more power. I was thinking about a Shadow spirit 1100. Hydraulic valve lash, shaft drive, alloy rims and gobs of torque for about 550Lbs. I love the Vulcan but the chain maintenance is tiresome. Anyone have experience with a shadow spirit 1100? |
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Title: Re: next bike after Savage Post by WD on 05/07/13 at 12:18:13 Give me the 800A first... ;) I'm looking for another one, the A is one of the best V twins ever made. |
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