SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> The Cafe >> Kick Starter Lovers
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1399642590

Message started by Charon - FSO on 05/09/14 at 06:36:30

Title: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by Charon - FSO on 05/09/14 at 06:36:30

Well, all you kick starter lovers, you now have a chance to put your money where your mouths are.
http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/products/modelhome/691/home.aspx

Of course, it isn't a Suzuki. It has fuel injection. And it isn't inexpensive, either.

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by Dave on 05/09/14 at 07:34:30

Yep....We been talking about this one for a while.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1395637304

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1394161180

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by Charon - FSO on 05/09/14 at 07:40:16

Thanks. Haven't been looking at the forum for a while, and didn't see the SR400 in the more-or-less current topics.

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by Dave on 05/09/14 at 07:46:33

Most folks believe the price is a bit high and they are most likely not in the market at that price.....but maybe in a year or two when some used ones become available.

I also think it is a bit too heavy....384 pounds!

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/09/14 at 09:15:47

Yea,, kick start Option,,( Option being the operative word) is a great thing,, ONLY doesnt trip my trigger at all,,& losing 250+ CC's & it still being that heavy? Naah,, Even for 3 or 4 hundred less than a Savage,, Id go with the Savage. I cant say what price difference Id have to see between used or new to point me to that 400,, it would have to be BIG,,

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by gizzo on 05/09/14 at 16:31:46

My personal opinion, I think the SR is one of the best looking bikes of all time, especially with the wire wheels. So many way to make it your own. It's a shame it's only the 400cc version (that's been available in europe and japan for about 1000 years now) but that's what they build...
Lots of the 400's are coming to Australia lately. Crew are paying 4-6 k for a good second hand Jap import. A good original Australian market '79 would fetch 8-10k. You guys in the states have it pretty good.
Here's another new scooter with kick start (this has electric leg, too. And fuel injection that I'd rather not have but that's another story) and what i voted for with my wallet. It's a lovely bike. Not fast ina straight line, but goes round bends incredibly well. I love mine.

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by gizzo on 05/09/14 at 16:37:07

A small point on the price thing....
You see a bike you REALLY want, and have the $$ to buy it. Are you really going to let the fact that it's a little expensive stop you doing it? Even if there's something for a few hundred less that will do a better job?
I get the comment about my Enfield "you could have bought [insert what they recommend] for that money, are you mad?" . No, I bought the bike I WANTED to have. The pain of a few extra $$ is soon forgotten.

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by pgambr on 05/09/14 at 16:46:11

417A7760717D66607B737E61120 wrote:

Yeah, it might be worth taking a look at in a year or to.

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by jcstokes on 05/10/14 at 16:22:34

Gizzo's right, it's about what you want and not other peoples opinions. When I brought my S40 my WOF (safety inspection man) said "why did you buy one of those things" well I brought it because I liked it, now for a little kick start nostalgia, if I can make it fit.

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by ToesNose on 05/10/14 at 18:05:27

I love me some Royal Enfield, good on ya Gizzo ;)

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by Boofer on 05/10/14 at 18:19:38

I would love to extend my bike shed to make room for that little Yamaha cutie. I haven't seen a full report in "Cycle World" or "Motorcycle Consumer News", but Yamaha says it can be cranked by hand.

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by zipidachimp on 05/11/14 at 14:02:39

When the popular model from the past was the SR500, whyinell would yam bring back a 400? jeez, dumm.
That Enfield looks terrific, can you do a comparo to the savage?

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by 1st2know on 05/11/14 at 14:53:43

In the 360 degree photo, there's a black cylindrical device mounted on the frame in front of the shifter.
Is that the fuel pump? Man, if so, it's huge!

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by gizzo on 05/11/14 at 15:47:34

796A736A6762606B6A6E73030 wrote:

When the popular model from the past was the SR500, whyinell would yam bring back a 400? jeez, dumm.
That Enfield looks terrific, can you do a comparo to the savage?

They "bring back" the 400cc SR because that's what they've been building since the '80s to satisfy the Japanese market. The Germans are also mad for them. You can buy all kinds of Jap market road bikes in 400cc guise. ZX, VFR, SR, Savage, VT, CBR, even baby ducatis. You name it, it's there as a 400. They have this restriction that makes it really hard to be allowed to ride a bike over 400cc. It's just not worth their while to build the 500 for a few OS markets where in a post GFC environment, no one would buy it anyways.

A quick Savage/ Enfield comparo
Power: The Savage feels noticably more powerful. It's a gruntier engine for sure. The Enfield only makes 29HP so it's not a fast bike. It's a really nice engine for riding in town, and in the twisties in the hill, it's all I need. Top speed is around 150kph. It feels like a really fit 250. The Savage pulls out of bends quicker, is faster off the lights and also only runs to less than 150kph. The Savage gives around 40MPG, Enfield 65-70 MPG. Both sound awesomely singular. 8-)

Handling: The Savage has suspension, and also handling. The Enfield fork and shocks are quality Italian (Paoli) and work very well indeed. The frame is stiff and well built. Designed by Harris in the UK, don'tcherknow? What it lacks in power, the cornering ability makes up for. It's a total blast in the corners. I rode through the hills a few weeks ago with a buddy on his KTM LC4, and the Enfield hosed him through the bends.

Brakes: You know about Savage brakes. The Enfield has Brembos front and back. Tons of stopping power. I think the back is actually a little too powerful. The rear wheel locks easily.

Build quality: If you're looking for Japanese style, get on and ride, build quality, forget an Enfield. Buy an SR400. This GT looks like it's thrown together from across the room. I needed to tighten a lot of fasteners and actually replace a few too. It's like a brand new second hand bike. The parts are made well, it's just not assembled that well. Plus, my local Enfield dealer is worse than useless and the PD and first service were something to be ashamed of. I've sorted a bunch of things and have a few more to go. Not really accepatable for a new bike but part of the "Enfield experience" I guess.

Fun factor: Both high. Savage is a great town bike, copes well with distance riding and corners better than it has any right to. The Enfield corners like it looks it should. They both get a lot more attention than the average tupperware crotch rocket and are my kind of bikes. If I had lots of money I'd also get an SR500 and a G50.

Styling: The Savage is whatever you make it into, and usually looks great. The Enfield styling takes a lot of cues from the 64 Conti GT, and I think, looks sensational. The lines are perfect, I love the sculpted tank, the seat hump is pukka. I think they got it right first time. I just ditched a bunch of stuff like mudflaps, number plate bracket, stalk mirrors and standard muffler, to clean it up.

Conclusion: I love both bikes. Either could be a "one bike for all occasions" They both have character and style. They're not for everyone, but nor are we, right? We're special, too. Enjoy your motorcycling. :)

Cheers
s

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by gizzo on 05/11/14 at 15:48:50

5A616B7D40617D6B0E0 wrote:

I love me some Royal Enfield, good on ya Gizzo ;)

Cheers, Toes 8-)

Title: Re: Kick Starter Lovers
Post by zipidachimp on 05/12/14 at 13:43:14

G50? one of my all-time favs! Barber Museum has at least 7-8 of them on display, some active, some screwed to the wall! Now that would be a bike to bring back!
https://www.google.ca/search?tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=EDJxU6LICtTeoATo1oDgAg&ved=0CDEQsAQ&biw=1909&bih=885&q=barber%20museum%20g50 :D