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Message started by phatmanswingin on 08/11/16 at 19:47:41

Title: Not really a savage question
Post by phatmanswingin on 08/11/16 at 19:47:41

I'm a new rider (less than 6 months) and I have a full face helmet but it's a pain in the ass ready the Speedo on my savage. Anyone else have this problem. Thinking of switching helmets.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by stewmills on 08/11/16 at 20:24:41

Don't compromise safety. The more you ride you will get used to the speed of the engine and your gear and know where you are in actual speed relatively closely. I had the same issue as a new rider even with a half helmet. Looking down in any helmet is a distraction and it is unfortunate on these bikes.

Others here may offer some Speedos you can add on the bars if you have the interest and funds to do it.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by verslagen1 on 08/11/16 at 21:33:14

You can mount a bike speedo up where you can see it.
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1183653316

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Armen on 08/12/16 at 02:15:24

This is why I buy helmets at dealers and not online. I put on a helmet, sit on a bike that is as close to my bike as possible and sit on it. I see if I can see the speedo, the mirrors, and imagine where overhead signs are without moving my head. Lots of helmets look good, but just don't have the field of vision I need.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Dave on 08/12/16 at 04:20:34

The problem is not the helmet....it is the bike. The middle of the fuel tank for a speedo......I guess we can thank Harley and Indian for doing that way back in the 1920's. (maybe earlier). And putting the turn signal indicator lights down there....worthless.

The speedo and indicator lights really need to be up front where you can look at them quickly, with your eyes still focused forward. I kept my full coverage helmet as it keeps the bugs off my face, and it provides better protection if I fall or hit something.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by BSTON on 08/12/16 at 05:32:25

I'm with Dave on this one. It's just a crappy design. Don't compromise on that much of a safety factor just to see if you're speeding or not....because chances are, if you're on a Savage you're not speeding. ;D

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Art Webb on 08/12/16 at 07:18:40

bad design of bike, not helmet
dress for the slide, not the ride!

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Kris01 on 08/12/16 at 19:03:58

I mounted a small $10 digital bicycle speedometer in the center of my bars. It works great in the daytime but it isn't lit for night. I can see it just fine with my FF helmet.

Like others have said, you'll get a feel for how fast you are going by how your engine feels/sounds.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Serowbot on 08/12/16 at 22:09:02

I only look at my speedo when I see a cop... ;D

Too much crap hanging from my bars,... a speedo wouldn't fit... :-/

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Rix on 08/13/16 at 07:37:39

I put the speedo and a tach up on the bars of mine. Ryca parts iirc.
Found a pic
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c148/rix86/99AC954D-7841-4C53-96D0-AF890AB848DD_zpsxk6n0prw.jpg (http://s26.photobucket.com/user/rix86/media/99AC954D-7841-4C53-96D0-AF890AB848DD_zpsxk6n0prw.jpg.html)

Much, much better.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by old_rider on 08/14/16 at 05:16:26

How did you compensate for the metal thickness on bar grip? Is that plate below the bar clamp? or between?
They way it looks it is like between and wouldn't the bars be loose?
HEY! I just woke up and haven't had but two sips of my coffee :)
Do you have a side or front shot of your setup Rix?

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Rix on 08/14/16 at 09:08:07

That's the only pic I could find. This was a couple years ago now...

Iirc....I put it between the clamps, and tightened the bottom clamp bolts after clamping the mount plate between the uppers. There was no looseness or play.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Kris01 on 08/14/16 at 10:11:14

Looks good. I like the relocated ignition switch too.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Rix on 08/14/16 at 10:38:58

That was a decision to do something with the big empty hole in the tank. The stock switch location aggravated me. I just happened to have a piece of red vinyl to stick on the aluminum I used for the tank home cover/switch mount thingie. If Ida had orange or black handy, Ida used that instead.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by phatmanswingin on 08/14/16 at 15:03:10

7F6475353B0D0 wrote:

I love your solution, I think the whole looks great. I'm assuming that pad on the left is for your phone?
btw, I too hate the location on the ignition on these bikes.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Dave on 08/14/16 at 18:06:41

There is one thing that nobody has mentioned....you can get used GPS units pretty cheap, and they display the actual MPH no matter what size rear tire you use. You will probably spend less on a good GPS than you will making changes to the speedometer.

And....you can get directions, and most of them can record trip mileage, elapsed time, etc.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Dave on 08/14/16 at 18:10:10

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Art Webb on 08/15/16 at 07:46:05

I have to agree that under yer butt is a pretty stupid place for the ign switch, one of the S40's few faults

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by stewmills on 08/15/16 at 07:56:48

Good point Dave. My $25 GPS that I recently installed has the "dashboard" feature that shows speed, trip mileage, etc. In this pic it is not on the dashboard, but here's what is looks like mounted and is in a great place to see. I can't see a good portion of my stock display because my handlebar bag gets in the way so this comes in very handy when needed.

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Rix on 08/15/16 at 07:57:56

The square blank thing in my pic was a GPS mount :)

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Dave on 08/15/16 at 09:06:09

GPS......and, BigZuk could glance down at his GPS screen, and know in advance how sharp the next curve was going to be!

Title: Re: Not really a savage question
Post by Ruttly on 08/15/16 at 10:04:49

That's just wrong , takes all the fun & skill out of it.
Like playing poker with a marked deck.