SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> New guy about to get my S40
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1400707828

Message started by Tocsik on 05/21/14 at 14:30:28

Title: New guy about to get my S40
Post by Tocsik on 05/21/14 at 14:30:28

Well, hey there forum. I'm a new guy here (first post; account just now approved) and really close to buying my bike.
I have my eye on two bikes and thought I would ask a couple of questions to reap the benefits of the hive-mind.
The 2 bikes I'm looking at are:

'07 with 3,875 miles and it already has saddle bags and a windshield.
'08 with 2,735 miles.

Both seem to have awfully low miles for their age. Both are priced about the same.
I looked at the '08 yesterday and it seems OK; has some minor flecks of rust on the corners of a few chrome nuts even though the owner keeps it garaged. He's the second owner so perhaps the first one didn't keep it indoors. Tires have plenty of tread but I forgot to check the manufacture date :-[. Belt looked good. Nothing to indicate the mileage might be 'incorrect'.
I hope to check out the '07 tomorrow; it's about an hour and a half away so I've been avoiding the drive.

So, I've been reading the threads/posts about buying a used bike and I have an idea what to look for but 2 questions come to mind:

1. Are there any issues particular to either of these model years to look for?

2. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure to get the tires replaced?Assuming the tires are original, I imagine I'll have to spring for new shoes just due to age, unless garage-storage is enough protection over time. I have messages out to both sellers about the manufacture date of the tires.

Other than that, I know it's totally my call.
Thanks to all and I'm looking forward to the forum!

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by shorty on 05/21/14 at 14:44:26

welcome new guy ;)

tires will cost about $125 rear
$75 front (if you change them)

good luck (no serious issues with those year/models)

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by gizzo on 05/21/14 at 15:18:08

Welcome Tocsik. Either of those bikes sounds good. I wouldn't worry about the rust on the nuts,that just happens. Soon as you touch a chromed fastener on a jap bike,the chrome gets compromised and a bit of rust starts bleeding through. If you really want, you can get a replacement set in stainless. Good luck man. Savages rock.

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by Tocsik on 05/21/14 at 15:22:13

3527283529282321460 wrote:

welcome new guy ;)

tires will cost about $125 rear
$75 front (if you change them)

good luck (no serious issues with those year/models)

Thanks Shorty. My current ride (scooter) has a center stand so taking the wheels off isn't too difficult. I can get a rear wheel lift but what's the best way to change the front?
Do most folks 'round here do their own tires? Of those, do most use a MC lift? I'd hate to mar the rims.

Thanks again and sorry for all the newb questions. I'm a quick learner, though.

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by shorty on 05/21/14 at 15:28:20

any automotive scissor jack will do..
jack point under engine (forward) will raise front wheel..
jack point at muffler bracket will raise rear wheel..

if you take the wheels to a shop they can do both tires within (1) labor/hour.. or maybe start learning how to do your own ;)

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by old_rider on 05/21/14 at 15:29:47

Welcome Tocsik, only way to know which to choose, is the one that appeals to you most.
Northern bikes more often have lower miles because of the short driving months.
Tires vary according to brand name and style.

You are making a good choice with the S40(650savage), from the early 90's to present the basic frame/engine has stayed the same with just a few changes in electrical and seats.

Before then the savage had a four speed and a crappy starter <gear>.

The technical section of this forum is full of helpful information, and don't forget to look in the "Table of contents with links" in the Tech section. Listed there are all kinds of fixes and modifications also a picture cd download with TONS of information.

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by Tocsik on 05/21/14 at 15:43:11

Thanks again everyone. As I already suspected, this site is absolutely chock full of amazing info. I'm just now finding the threads with posts on homemade bike lifts.

It's good to be back in school again. ;)

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by pgambr on 05/21/14 at 16:40:36

Welcome, you'll really enjoy it and their is a wealth on information here and a lot of good people as well.

Bookmark this page:
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1181745927

Good luck!

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by jcstokes on 05/21/14 at 16:49:53

The standard IRC rear is something of an orphan size. Many on here go for a 140/90 profile rear which apparently makes the speedo more accurate. The Shinko brand is popular with many here. I use Micheleins myself. Few on this forum have much good to say about the OEM IRC's.

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by Dave on 05/21/14 at 17:00:44

Tires generally start to go hard after about 4 years even if you aren't riding on them....but if you don't ride aggressively in the corners you can ride them for a while. When the rubber gets harder....they don't stick as well. When the tires start to get checks in them....replace them for sure.

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by runwyrlph on 05/21/14 at 17:14:58

Yeah,

I dunno how much it costs - I have changed all my own tires on my '07. The first one was the first tire I've changed (other than bicycle).

You can find out how to do everything you need from this site + maybe a shop manual. I bought mine new in '07, have not taken it to a mechanic except for annual inspections. I think I have about 28,000 miles on 'er.

I have used 140/90 tire on the back with good results. Currently liking the Kenda Challenger as a good price/quality compromise.

My preferred "jack" method is winch it up to garage i beam with a come-along

re old tires: did you ever see "The World's Fastest Indian"? - Burt rubs shoe polish into his old cracked tires to pass safety check!! :)
-'course he didn't really have to turn :-/

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by Serowbot on 05/21/14 at 17:25:12

DIY lift...
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEbuOh9l1es[/media]

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by pgambr on 05/21/14 at 17:48:29

That looked too easy, real good idea. Thanks for posting.

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by engineer on 05/21/14 at 18:00:48

Welcome to the forum. When choosing between the two bikes take a close look at the heads of the bolts and the nuts. You may already know this but if you are new to motorcycles and mechanics in general check to see if any nuts and bolts, especially on the engine have slightly rounded corners. If so, it means someone has been in there for some reason and they didn't own good wrenches which is a bad sign.

If the condition of the two bikes is equal I would buy the newer bike with fewer miles.

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by Rembrandt on 05/22/14 at 18:23:08

I bought my 06 last May with very low miles, only 3270, with original stock tires. I just replaced them with Mezelers, 888 on front and 880 on rear at almost 13000 miles. The stock tires worked great all last year and the front had lots of tread to go. I am finding the Mezelers with their distinctive tread pattern do as advertised. They stick well and don't pull you in on road grooves, vertical tar repairs, grid bridges, etc., but I still found the stock tires very capable. I know that goes against most views expressed here, but this has been my experience.

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by Rembrandt on 05/22/14 at 18:24:25

Sorry, my mistake, I had just over 12000 miles when I recently replaced stock tires. I now have almost 13000 miles on the bike.

Title: Re: New guy about to get my S40
Post by HAPPYDAN on 05/23/14 at 11:12:58

Hello and welcome! Sounds like a tough choice - too good vs too good. Maybe your future plans can help. If you plan to do highway cruising, the shield and bags will help. A bobber or cafe mod maybe, or just leave it the way it is and enjoy? I found I really like the size and style. In town, it's nimble and quick, and because there are so few here in western WA it gets a lot of looks. Time to hit the highway, just hang on. Plenty of giddyup. Now that I've been no help at all, just go with your gut. It's a pretty simple bike, and folks on this site can help you with ANYTHING that needs fixed. Enjoy!