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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> A Sad Day
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Message started by sitkasavage on 05/26/13 at 12:36:08

Title: A Sad Day
Post by sitkasavage on 05/26/13 at 12:36:08

Today is the day I sold my first bike, a 2005. It is the first time in 6 years that I am bikeless. It was a great first bike, but alas it just didn't fit my 6'3" 314lb body very well. I will miss my numb ass on longer rides, the shake of the motor, and the pleasing thumping sound. But more importantly, I would like to say thanks for this great forum that gave me tips, great advice, and good reading. I told the new owner about this forum and that should he have any questions, this was the place to go.

So long ladies and gentlemen,
Mike

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by Cloudy on 05/26/13 at 13:38:03

Soooo.... What are you getting next?

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by sitkasavage on 05/26/13 at 14:27:17

I am looking at a '96 Heritage Softail with 5,800 miles. It looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. If it is gone before I get to it on Tuesday, I will be looking at a Vulcan 900.

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/26/13 at 17:50:05

Today is NOt a sad day. YOuve sold a bike that didnt quite meet your needs & now ya have a few dollars to spend gettin a different bike.

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by K-Kustom on 05/26/13 at 18:22:12

Don't get me wrong, the 650 is a great bike. But you can't go wrong buyin a Harley!! ;)

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by MarcosS40 on 05/27/13 at 02:45:14

1375132D2B2C3735580 wrote:

Don't get me wrong, the 650 is a great bike. But you can't go wrong buyin a Harley!! ;)

That's true... if you want an overweight, overpriced, overhyped status symbol. ;)

I'll stick with my Suzi, thanks anyway! 8-)

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by mpescatori on 05/27/13 at 05:32:32

Let's put it this way: The Savage/S40 is a big single inspired to a big twin.

Especially the early Savages from the 1990's, with drag bars and the 4-speed gearbox, only needed a chain conversion and a Sportster muffler to be mistaken for a Shovelhead Sportster...

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqhkwhKE6S1qh03gbo1_500.pnghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dYVMo0_ktIQ/TmUmi6LPyDI/AAAAAAAAAlA/PJP0EF0y3K4/s1600/sporty.jpg

...unlike people would take a second look and comment "I didn't know Harley made singles..."

;)

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by old_rider on 05/27/13 at 06:41:21

Sitka, i'm in the opposite position you are in.... i'm only 5'8" and weigh a monstrous 145lbs (maybe 150 now) and my monster harley roadglide is now too much for me to lug around and i'm thinking of getting a savage like my wifes.
Good luck on your search for your next steed....and since you know this place, don't be a stranger...i'm sure these wise folks could assist if you have problems on your new ride, or at least give it a shot. I'm finding this forum to be one of the best ones i've ever subscribed to and won't leave it even if I sold the savage.
Its not about "what you ride", its really just "that you ride" and the company of a few good folks to enjoy it with.

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by apache snow on 05/27/13 at 07:04:00

I rode Harleys for years but I am geezer status now so I ride a Suzuki S40. I still think about my Harley days and dream. :)

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by dirty dog on 05/27/13 at 07:06:55

it's a good day to start over with a new bike to ride...
( NOT TO BE AN ASS BUT IT.S A IRON HEAD SPORTSTER NOT A SHOVELHEAD SPORTSTER A SHOVELHEAD IS A BIG TWIN.SORRY BUT
I'M JUST AN ASS THIS WAY!!!!!!) 8-)

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by K-Kustom on 05/28/13 at 10:35:05

Dont't know about that statement? For years when people ask "what is an Ironhead?" Most would reply: "a shovelhead sportster"..

Just built a 84 1/2 model year for a guy. believe it or not, a few of the
parts are a lil different on that model.."Last of the Ironheads"

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by apache snow on 05/28/13 at 11:16:14

There may be people who call a sportster motor a shovel head but in my opinion they do not know what they are talking about. The factory does not refer to that designation for them as well.

Sportsters have cast iron heads. The shovelheads are aluminum.

http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index.php?topic=4216.0

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by Dj12midnit on 05/28/13 at 21:40:26

Well tuesday is over what happened?

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by K-Kustom on 05/29/13 at 07:50:19

your right... I can't read very well sometimes...LOL

as a matter of fact, it's getting harder to see at all anymore...LOL

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/29/13 at 07:54:26

He didnt say that, he said heads

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by WD on 05/29/13 at 08:25:54

You don't want a Heritage, with the 16/16 wheel combo, you'll have to relearn how to make it handle. Go for a Softail standard with 21/16 wheel combo. They don't ride as a smooth as a 16/16, but they handle a lot better.

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by Super Thumper on 05/29/13 at 20:03:58

After reading all the comments and all the modifications on this forum since I have become a member almost everybody makes or is planning to make the following changes to their Savage:

1) Replace the driver's seat with something more comfortable.

2) Replace the stock muffler with something that sounds better

3) Replace the stock foot pegs/controls

4) Replace the stock handlebars

Ya think Suzuki will EVER get the hint? ;)

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by WD on 05/30/13 at 05:29:20

What hint, that a whole lot of people buy a "bargain basement beginner bike" and find it lacking? If people keep buying it as is and cutting it up, Suzuki still made their money up front. Tooling has been paid off for at least 15 years, probably closer to 20 by this point.

The only other ricer bike with a similar production run is the 250 Rubble, er, Rebel. Compare the difference between first year and current year, either bike. Then look at how much different a same name but completely different bike like a Shadow has evolved. Or even a 1986 Big Twin (carburetor equipped Evolution engine) versus a current Big Twin (fuel infested Twin Cam)...

It's pretty rare for a manufacturer to hit a grand slam with a design from day one. The older 4 speeds had some teething problems (mainly starter related) that were corrected by the state side rerelease in the mid 1990s, but on the whole...

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by Super Thumper on 05/30/13 at 09:49:46

I see your point WD. When Suzuki originally designed this bike it was aimed at a particular demographic market....it was also designed in Japan where everybody is 5'2" & 120 lbs ( except Sumo wrestlers and some politicians) The ergonomics of this bike prove that...anyone over 5"8" and 175 lbs has problems with the riding position myself included. I don't think it would be too much trouble for Suzuki to take a look at the market they intended the bike for and who is ACTUALLY buying it and make some ergonomic adjustments. This is what I meant by Suzuki getting the hint. Just the other day I read a post from a 6 foot plus gentleman who sold his Savage & bought a Harley for just the reasons I am repeating here.

The very first thing I changed on my Savage was the seat...found on ebay a seat from a Suzuki S50 Boulevard (800cc V-twin) for $50.00 and free S&H :) Suzuki doesn't need new tooling to put a different seat on this bike...they have several seats that are better and available on some of their models. Moving the foot pegs forward doesn't cost anything either. If Harley can put a nice sounding muffler on a bike why can't Suzuki? Why should that cost Suzuki more? I am a parts manufacturer myself and it does NOT cost me any more in time and materials to manufacture a part that is right than it does to make a wrong one.

Don't get me wrong....I LOVE my Savage but it surprises me when I see Suzuki has the potential to sell a lot more of these bikes if the made a few simple changes. I for one would like to see more of these bikes on the road.

if Suzuki was to make the fixes I suggested here then folks like me who are never satisfied and love to tinker with our bikes would have to find something else to complain about ;)

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by LANCER on 05/30/13 at 13:53:46

Suzuki does not WANT to sell more of them, they want to sell more of the larger & more expensive V-twiins. The selling price is higher, the accessory parts prices are higher, the maintenance costs are higher, the models are updated more often which encourages trade-ins for the newer models, etc etc etc.

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by WD on 05/30/13 at 15:44:45

When I bought mine in February 1998, the dealer told me that each U.S. dealership was allotted 2 per year. He had between 12 and 15 in stock, other dealerships were dumping them on him as fast as he could sign the transfer papers. They couldn't GIVE them away, he couldn't stock enough of them. I've talked to 8 Suzuki dealers in the 4 state area, and not one wants to have them on the floor. My closest dealership takes them, leaves them in the shipping cages, and stacks them against the back fence hoping the scrappers will steal them. He flat will not allow his wrench monkeys to assemble them. He won't sell them, part them, etc. "Yard art", he absolutely despises the model. He has brand new 1980s models rotting away out back.

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by apache snow on 05/30/13 at 16:13:05

My dealer ship sells several of them a year. They keep 4 or 5 on the floor at all times. They have nothing older than 2012.

Title: Re: A Sad Day
Post by verslagen1 on 05/30/13 at 17:11:42

I could use some new parts ::)