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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp bike /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1505723725 Message started by Iconkj on 09/18/17 at 01:35:24 |
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Title: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp bike Post by Iconkj on 09/18/17 at 01:35:24 Hi there, I introduced myself already at the corresponding thread. I bought a 96 suzuki savage for just 350 euro's. +- 400 dollars. The plan is to ride the bike and while doing so, change the bike a bit. (i don't have the bike at the moment. I'm going to pick it up next month) The bike is in good shape but i keep thinking about one thing: Will the power be enough for me? I started out with a 750 intruder but couldn't get used to it. After that i rode a kawasaki zr7 en the last year i rode with a gsxr 750 srad. A whole different animal all around. I am selling the gsxr for more than one reason: it's no fun. 120km/h in first.. Still have 5 gears left then.. Not comfortable and i have to admit that i don't ride nearly as much with the gsxr as i did with the intruder.. A savage looks like the bike for me: i don't have the need to drive fast and really dig the looks of the chopped/bobbed savages.. My only question: are there others here that came from a 'high' hp bike to the savage and how was that for you guys? Greetings, Kjelly |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by gizzo on 09/18/17 at 01:53:13 hi mate.I'm lucky enough to have a bunch of bikes, from very modest power up to pretty substantial (DR250-TRX850) and all points in between. personally, I have the most fun on the modest power. I love the torque of the savage. it's super fun at sane speeds. my Enfield is same: not much power but beautiful handling and without trying to sound smug, I manage to make a lot of faster bikes look silly in our local hills. it's the horse, not the horseshit. the only way you'll know for sure is to try for yourself. get you a good long test ride and see if you hate it or not. good luck brother. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by gizzo on 09/18/17 at 01:55:03 for sure, the T Rex is hilarious when the going gets mental but a bit dull within the boundaries of the law. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Dave on 09/18/17 at 03:53:15 The 30 HP Savage is fun in a different way than the high HP bikes are. Having a small amount of HP on tap makes you more efficient with it, and the low end torque is the strong point of a big single. I had an ST1100 sport touring bike, it had 115 hp and could easily break the speed limits - it was pretty fast and liked high speed sweepers......the Savage works a bit harder but can still get you a ticket just about anywhere and it prefers to be on tight mountain roads where the corner speed is restricted by tight turns.. I tend to ride within the speed limits - and the fun is not on the straight sections (unless I am looking a the scenery) - the fun for me is in the corners, and the tighter the better. In the curves a Savage is quicker than most other cruisers, it can keep up with most sport touring bikes.....just pull over and let the sport bikes (with good riders) go by when you see them in your mirror! Only time will tell if you are suited to be a Savage owner - some of us really like it.....some don't. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by bobert_FSO on 09/18/17 at 05:32:12 If you like to stay mostly within speed limits, it is more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. There is something satisfying about wringing out a machine to its full capability. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Gary_in_NJ on 09/18/17 at 05:34:58 I've owned my share of sport bikes. I still own a FZ6 that makes 100+ hp. I also have two street singles. For around town or riding my favorite tight back roads I love the singles. You know the old saying; 'it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow". |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Iconkj on 09/18/17 at 05:54:36 Thanks for the reply's so far. Yes, i do like staying under the speed limit. I don't know how things are where you guys live but in Belgium it's a disaster. Speed camera's, police everywhere. It is no fun to drive a sportsbike here. I do like the power and acceleration but where can you use it? On the track yes. But i bought a house and it's impossible (for me) to ride on the track. +- 2hour drive and when i do fall, no money to repair the bike (or worst case scenario: buy another one). I just drove much more with my intruder than i do with the gsxr. And i do like riding a slow bike fast 8-) If i drive to my work it's a 10min ride. And besides that, i try to ride only backroads. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by LANCER on 09/18/17 at 08:26:50 The Savage loves the back roads. It is easy going in many ways but get real fun quickly in the mountain curves as noted above by others who have commented. It will also respond to a little tinkering with the engine if you are inclined; does not make it much faster but does add some very useful torque...and torque is a lot of fun on the curves. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by ohiomoto on 09/18/17 at 08:52:31 1A303C3D3839530 wrote:
You need to move farther away from work and you'll ride more. :) |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by hotrod on 09/18/17 at 10:01:21 60 mph is 60mph on any bike. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Papa Bear on 09/18/17 at 10:13:49 The more I ride mine the more I realize why they called it a "Savage" ;) |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/18/17 at 10:14:51 As long as my bike will do the ton on a straight I'm happy ! There is no better feeling than rippin up the backroads & twisties on a big single ! |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by ohiomoto on 09/18/17 at 10:17:43 456263637B6E170 wrote:
Do the ton on a Savage? Is that possible? Has it been done on our bikes? If not will Armen be the first when he finally finishes his bike? ;) |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Dave on 09/18/17 at 10:29:18 0C0B0A0C0E0C170C630 wrote:
Yep......I've "been there - done that".........once. (TrailTech Vapor speedo that I had on the Cafe' bike the first year). My engine is not stock. http://i68.tinypic.com/2cyguvn.jpg |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by ohiomoto on 09/18/17 at 10:43:58 Awesome! I wasn't sure our bikes had it in'em. :) |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by cygnet on 09/18/17 at 10:45:38 The S40 is a great bike lots of torque but low on HP. I came off road bikes and miss them when I want to go on the highway, I did the front Kaw pulley mod and that really made a huge difference. So to sum it up the S40 is great around town, great on the back twisties, not so good on the super slab. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/18/17 at 12:16:17 Dave , Hope you know now it's my next benchmark in life to beat your 101.1 mph by at least a few clicks. 105 would be awesome, my old SR500 would pull 108 with factory speedo , the tracker now has a GPS speedo and is getting 18/51 gearing. And that extra lightened flywheel. Records are meant to be broken 8-) |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Iconkj on 09/18/17 at 12:56:13 6E69686E6C6E756E010 wrote:
You need to move farther away from work and you'll ride more. :) [/quote] True that.... but sometimes i have to ride further in order to do my job so that's good no? :D |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Iconkj on 09/18/17 at 12:59:54 Thanks for all the replies so far! Great forum full with enthousiasts. You guys get me excited (you know what i mean) For the 400 dollar i think i did a good deal. When it's time to go and get the bike, and i start tinkering with it, i will open a thread here. Plan right from the start: solo seat, other muffler, other handlebar, other air filter, mini battery and put away all the electrics! Can't wait! ;D |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Gary_in_NJ on 09/18/17 at 13:08:27 6166676163617A610E0 wrote:
They don't, Dave's bike is modified. BTW, I've taken plenty of bikes in excess of 150 mph, but I don't think I'd take my cafe racer to 100. It becomes a real light dance partner. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Dave on 09/18/17 at 14:44:31 7A5D5C5C4451280 wrote:
Bring it on! :) A little friendly competition never hurt anybody. I was out riding on a day that it just seemed right to try, there was little wind, it wasn't too hot....traffic was light and I chose a stretch of a limited access road with no intersections or driveways, and there wasn't anyplace for the LEO to hide. I just had to find out if my bike could do the "ton". It gets to 80 pretty quickly, 90 took a while - that last bit to 100 seemed to take a very long time.....I don't think it had very much left in it. With a gearing change, a cam change, and maybe some tweaking of jets, and maybe a hill and wind in my favor......and I might be able to do better someday. A 30 mph tailwind sure would have made things easier). ::) |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/18/17 at 15:17:33 If I'm right cause I know that Ryca speedo was wrong I may have already done the ton or came dang close. With the new seat & paint job it will for sure do the ton. Time will tell , no way to fudge a GPS speedo ! And 0 to 60 then the 1/4 mile. I'm a gunnin for you Dave ! |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by dontwannapickle on 09/19/17 at 11:43:37 I had a Savage for a year or so. I also have 85k miles on a Yamaha sportbike that was their racer in the mid-90s, but was replaced as their racer by the R6. I've raised the bars an inch on it. Although it has a 13k+ redline, mine rarely revs above 4.5K till I get over 65. Gets 63mpg! I didn't miss HP on the Savage. It pulls fine at all legal speeds, even wiff Shorty on back. I DID miss, terribly, the great, adjustable suspension and better riding position of the ThunderCat. I had to remember to avoid a certain lane on the local I-state with a groove scratched into it by something that had dragged there, or the front would start shaking at 70mph. The forks are terrible! And forget about two-finger braking. Those flimsy forks without much option for improvement, the wooden brakes, (correctable using parts from good bikes, the T-cat for irony), and the terrible riding position (which is subjective, I suppose) were why I couldn't enjoy my Savage. IMO, Savages are fine for sub-55 mph, sub-five-foot-six societies, which IS what they were designed for, afterall. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by ohiomoto on 09/19/17 at 11:59:26 I mostly agree with dontwannpickle. The savage wasn't made for enthusiast. It isn't much on paper, but it seems to fit many peoples needs just fine as is and the rest of modify them to varying degrees. For example, I made mine look and fit like a 70s Japanese standard. It fits my 6'3" frame just fine now. Yeah, the brakes are weak, but for the size, weight, power of the bike and the speeds I ride, they are fine. Sure the forks suck too. I went lowered mine to make them suck even more. Now they suck just as bad as the shocks, but for the size, weight...they work fine for me. The motor is a looker but not much of a performer (outside of its toque), but for the size, weight...it works pretty well for my needs. It shifts a bit crude, but the amount of power the motor makes...it's good enough. And I just LOVE all the different builds we get with this bike. It seems to generate a lot of enthusiasm for a bike that wasn't build for enthusiast. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by LANCER on 09/19/17 at 14:01:36 5C5B5A5C5E5C475C330 wrote:
Oh but they do indeed. A little of this, and a little of that, with a sprinkle of magic stuff, and away it goes ! ZOOM ZOOM |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/19/17 at 15:15:24 It takes time & patience & $$$. It will never be a race engine , but there is more power to be had. It's design won't hold up to big H/P like the SR/TT/XT 500s but it's still a night n day difference. Big Fun ! |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by LANCER on 09/19/17 at 16:40:24 5F78797961740D0 wrote:
The engine will hold up to the things we can do, it is just that the exhaust port was screwed up to keep power down by Suzuki. That is the limiting factor. Remember, a stock DR650 has the same upper half engine as the LS650 (with very slight variations that have nothing to do with power), EXCEPT FOR THE EXHAUST PORT, and it made 46hp from the factory in 1990-1995. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/19/17 at 19:57:37 Lancer , Does a DR top end fit the LS ? Or just the head ? Bore & stroke the same ? After that it's the weight of crank assembly, compression ratio, Size of valves & cam. Will the engine bolt in to the LS ? 46 H/P stock , Cool Maybe that's the motor I need for my Yamazuki project ! |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by jcstokes on 09/19/17 at 20:35:52 Stock bikes in good nick appear to top out in 86-92mph range. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Iconkj on 09/19/17 at 23:44:32 Thanks guy's. I think i will like the savage. Since i bought a house i don't have much time or money to ride as much as i wan't to... My friend sells his suzuki marauder for 1200 dollars but that's (price wise)night and day difference than the 400 dollar for the savage. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by IslandRoad on 09/20/17 at 02:21:46 696070776C686670030 wrote:
I reckon you're right on that one .... as long as the carb is set up right. After I re-jetted and removed the throttle restrictor (Australia) top speed was 93 mph on a straight run on a still day :) I maybe could have got a bit more or of her, but I ran out of road. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Dave on 09/21/17 at 04:08:47 I figured out how to use the Gearing Commander. I thought I needed to plug in the primary drive ratio, gear ratios, final drive, tire circumference, etc. - turns out you can enter your bike model and it will fill in the blanks, then you can change them as you wish! http://www.gearingcommander.com/ When I got my 101.1 mph my bike, it had the stock gearing. The 101.1 mph would have been at 6,392 rpm....the bike just felt like it was running out of breath. With the current gearing I can reach the same speed at 6,079 rpm in 4th gear....maybe it can go a little faster with less rpm? |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Christof13T on 09/21/17 at 05:01:55 303B3A2023353A3A35243D373F3831540 wrote:
Ive had my `03 Thunder Kitty for just at 2 weeks now and only put close to 250 miles on her so far but I am completely in love! I had an `82 XJ1100 years ago and the 600r just feels like it has all the giddy up and power of the Maxim and then some... half the weight but still amazingly solid, and twice as responsive. I'm a pretty lightweight guy. I average 165lbs most of the year. Also a little tall at 6'3". The seat on my Savage could use some adjustment by way of the riser mod, and a set of 5-6 inch forward controls... and possibly a handlebar adjustment. Beyond that I feel like it could be a comfortable bike for longer rides. Night and day differences between any of the bigger (more powerful) bikes I have ridden. Everything seems to happen at a much more leisured pace on the Savage. My Savage was perfectly happy scooting me down the road at 80+mph for a solid 30 miles with no breathers before something let loose. So they can run up the needle on the speedo pretty easy... just dont push them for too long at a stretch. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by LANCER on 09/21/17 at 05:56:59 46616060786D140 wrote:
What did you do to the engine to make it capable of 108 indicated ? I bought a new '78 SR500 and it would barely break 80+ in stock form. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by LANCER on 09/21/17 at 06:09:54 597E7F7F67720B0 wrote:
A few years back I got a DR650 head and cylinder so I could compare the two. This is for model years 1990-1995. You cannot take the top end of the DR and put it on the Savage bottom end, there are slight differences in the bolt on areas, and the same with the DR head, it will not go on our cylinder. The valves, springs, and rocker arms are the same as I remember. The stock DR piston is 95 mm and the Wiseco pistons for the '90-95 model years work for the Savage with a bore/hone. That is why I had Wiseco work up the 94mm size for us. The problem is that it must be purchased in a lot of 12 of more since it is a Special Order. The camshaft is the very same cam core as ours, just with different lift/duration. It can be swapped directly into our engine but do to the crazy exhaust ports we have I have some doubts that the Savage engine can effectively use all of that lift and duration. The gear on the camshaft is not the same as ours, it is larger as is the cam chain. Will the DR bolt in to our frame ? If you change the motor mounts it should. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Dave on 09/21/17 at 07:29:29 Lancer: A DR650 engine transplant is possible - they also made a DR750 & DR800! It would be a big project.....motor mounts, exhaust, intake would all have to be made to work. I also don't know about the sprocket alignment (both horizontal and vertical). |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by LANCER on 09/21/17 at 07:43:23 5D666B7C6D617A7C676F627D0E0 wrote:
I would love to come across a DR750/800, as in barn find; for just a few $$ to get it our of their way ! ;D 8-) |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by ohiomoto on 09/21/17 at 09:53:31 I'm not big on those big DR's. ;) http://www.drbig.info/ |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by hotrod on 09/21/17 at 19:15:16 Hey, you guys got me thinking. I have a 2000 Kaw. W-650. This bike went under water during Hurricane Irene a few years back. Now it is a paperweight. Engine is one lump just seized , with no moving parts. Salt water went into the exhaust, and was held in the engine by the air filter, holding salt in the engine. How about the Savage engine in a W-650 frame ? Would be like a old Triumph single. I'll get out the tape measure tomorrow. I'm excited ! |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by LANCER on 09/22/17 at 03:12:12 Maybe, our engine is pretty tall. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/22/17 at 10:24:26 Hotrod, I have a W I'd consider selling. I Have the title, but an idiot wrote on it before I got it transferred. I could probably get tags on it and ride it, but the hassle is a little bit more than I'm wanting. I'm in East Texas. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by hotrod on 09/22/17 at 13:15:46 Can't . I'm in N.C. Have no money and too many projects. 1977 Moto Guzzi Covvert , 2011 HD 48, and 2 savage's. The w-650 was a fine bike. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/22/17 at 14:11:18 Okay, it's here if you hit the lottery. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/22/17 at 20:46:56 3D303F3234236366510 wrote:
What did you do to the engine to make it capable of 108 indicated ? I bought a new '78 SR500 and it would barely break 80+ in stock form.[/quote] Lancer , I employ all the same techniques to every cycle engine I build. Most want the biggest carb, big carbs are for extreme/racing engine, the right size carb for the mods of the engine is paramount for the SR 38 or 40 is perfect for racing. In a lighter modded engine the VM36 creates more air speed into engine. Oh crap I forgot who I was talking to(carb guru). Any ways I build engines that breathe,that SR had a 1 over wiesco 10.5-1 , cylinder head ported by me,a reground cam just a Little more lift & duration than stock,like the Webcam std grind for the LS,what I put in the tracker. A vm36 with heat shield and a White Bros header with supertrapp . That was 108 as indicated at night cool sea level all tucked in like a flat tracker with stock gearing. About a 13 mph faster than a stockers advertised top speed & 500 rpm or less from valve float event, the right carb for the mods is paramount !!! My 0 to 60 & 1/4 mile will suffer but the tracker may be just as fast with the 18/51 gears. My current SR has a somewhat more extreme cam and other goodies but I never finished timing & jetting so maybe this winter she might get some attention , it should pull 110 mph if I get it right. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/22/17 at 21:27:53 That was a long time ago when I only weighed 125/130 lbs ! Power to weight ratio was much better back then ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by LANCER on 09/23/17 at 03:48:45 47606161796C150 wrote:
Yea, I have vague memory's of weighing in that range, but it is so faint that I can hardly see it or even remember. That was another life. My power to weight ratio has shifted WAY OVER to the heavy side. I'm at the 200 lb. range now when I should be 160-165 lb. range. Amazing how a few extra pounds will slow things down. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/23/17 at 10:18:43 When me and my buddies would ride off road they were amazed I could be competitive on my xr200 against their xr500. They all weighed at least 50 lbs more than me. The difference is like wearing a backpack with 4-13 lb bowling balls in it. And then watching when they would brake in turns I would just brake late or not brake at all , kinda riding the edge of the bikes capabilities. They just hated being passed by a 200 even if I was just going to get passed again on the straights, I was the student riding with 2 seasoned very skilled riders. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Dave on 09/23/17 at 12:54:59 To prove the first time wasn't a fluke, and that my Trailtech was accurate, here it is on the GPS speedo. This was in 4th gear (double Kawasaki pulleys), and I believe there was a light head wind! http://i65.tinypic.com/e5fead.jpg |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/23/17 at 14:25:54 I positively had no doubts Dave. I know what is possible with these engines. With your gearing and a light tail wind you should be able to pull 105 easy. Cool days are best for speed runs in the 50s. To all the doubters I know a cafe and a tracker that do the ton , even I have yet to document it ! I can think of several other as well. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Dave on 09/23/17 at 14:38:30 Gary_in_NJ is right......this bike gets really wiggly as you get to 100 mph! :o I really don't know how much faster the bike can go and be stable. Some of it might have been the slight headwind - as soon as I got off the throttle and got some weight on the front wheel, the bike stopped being wiggly. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Gary_in_NJ on 09/23/17 at 15:02:06 Lancer While I understand that the DR650 head won't bolt onto a LS650 cylinder, would a DR650 cylinder bolt on to an LS650 engine case. If so, then that's a way to use a DR650 head on an LS650. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/23/17 at 18:19:27 7F44495E4F43585E454D405F2C0 wrote:
I did not notice any shaking or wiggles with mine but at WFO it is hard to turn , you really have to pull it thru a turn even with a lighter flywheel. It may be due wider bars and my hella stiff rear shocks. Tire pressure too , front pressure too low will cause a wobble. And I only had my hand on the throttle ,left hand on the forks all tucked flat track style, nothing but motor. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by LANCER on 09/24/17 at 13:58:37 646E6A606B62666F313733030 wrote:
No, unfortunately not, the cam chain channnel is not the same and the cam guides will not fit. Frustrating isn't it ? |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/24/17 at 14:46:08 And to throw some salt in the wound. I was looking at the Tempter ST400 specs last night and it's got 24 H/P at a top advertised speed of 99 mph , however its torque is very low for a thumper. I will keep experimenting for the last few H/P. I'm still very happy with it, as the engine was just another exercise in engine building , each one gets better than the last , makes me happy ! With the help of the SS crew made it easy. A Savage Family. ;D |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Dave on 09/25/17 at 03:07:44 032425253D28510 wrote:
I believe the exhaust port is a huge handicap on the Savage, and it limits the amount of power (flow), that the engine can make. With the 400cc cylinder or 650cc cylinder......there is only so much HP to be had. (I wonder if the cam grind is the same for both bikes?). I am pretty well satisfied with the amount of power that the engine can make (with the piston/cam/carb swap). I don't think the chassis can handle a bunch more HP, and my riding style really doesn't need a lot of HP, as I mostly stay within the speed limits on the straight sections and try to corner in a "festive" manner! If I wanted to bump up the HP on my current setup - I believe I need to make a 1-1/2" exhaust header, a less restrictive muffler, and a cam change from the Stage 1 to the Stage 3. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by ohiomoto on 09/25/17 at 09:53:24 79424F5849455E58434B46592A0 wrote:
I believe the exhaust port is a huge handicap on the Savage, and it limits the amount of power (flow), that the engine can make. With the 400cc cylinder or 650cc cylinder......there is only so much HP to be had...[/quote]------------------- Shame since a 450cc MX bike puts out 50+ hp and 250cc bikes are getting ~40hp stock. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Gary_in_NJ on 09/25/17 at 11:16:12 6562636567657E650A0 wrote:
Apples to oranges. A modern MX bike is water cooled, uses a high compression skirtless piston, has a lightweight valve train, revs to 10,000 rpm, is fuel injected, and only has to last a season or two before needing a complete rebuild (two to 4 seasons if trail ridden). |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by ohiomoto on 09/25/17 at 11:45:03 I know. Just saying it's a shame how neutered our bikes are. A GR650 twin gets 50hp yet we get 30hp. I'm pretty sure this motor has a reliable 40hp in it. That said, I don't really care because I knew what I was buying. If I wanted performance I would have looked elsewhere. I love the torque and there is just enough power to make the bike fun to ride. Just enough. :) |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by IslandRoad on 09/26/17 at 01:13:56 7770717775776C77180 wrote:
@ohiomoto, I feel pretty much the same way. I knew what I was buying. The highest legal speed here in Australia is 110km/hr (you can blow your licence at 30 over) I'm happy to have just richened it up a bit to get the best out of what it is. I was exchanging some friendly trash talk the other day with a friend who rides an 883 Sportster - 'riceburner' v 'tractor' type of thing. He said something to the effect of 'leaving me in the dust'. I said 'yeah, once we hit 130'. We've ridden together before, and it was great fun - "fun at legal speeds". If I really wanted the MotoGP experience I'd have bought a sports bike and booked tack days. Having said that, if I had the knowhow, I'd love to see what difference the high compression piston makes! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Ruttly on 09/26/17 at 03:14:56 A H/C piston gives it some kick but I think best bang for your buck is a vm36 carb and a Dyna muffler. Cause if your doing the piston you might as well do the cam too ! |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by IslandRoad on 09/26/17 at 03:22:13 Thanks for the tip. The reason I didn't go with the piston was because I figured other things would need upgrading or maintenance which I couldn't do on my own. I have a couple of mechanic friends, but don't wanna stain the relationship. I already have the Dyna fitted ... I'll look into the carb 8-) |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Dave on 09/26/17 at 04:40:52 The "order" of engine improvements is a somewhat difficult concept, as they are all interwoven.....and they need to work together to improve the ability of the engine to breath. The improvements are also directly tied to your mechanical ability....and your wallet. Everyone agrees that the muffler and refined carb jetting is the first step in making the engine run better. Beyond that - it gets far more complicated. The high compression piston has the most bang for the buck in my opinion - however a cam swap really brings it to life...and while the head is off it is a good opportunity to open up the exhaust port a bit. This labor intensive and parts somewhat expensive......if you have a piston or cam failure it is easy to justify the upgrade. It is somewhat harder to justify taking a good running and reliable engine apart just to get a few more HP. A cam swap by itself provides a worthwhile improvement, and you don't have to remove the engine from the frame. The stock carb works OK, and it can even work OK with a modified engine. I ran the stock carb for a year with my 95mm Wiseco and Stage 1 Cam engine, and it did just fine. When I switched to the Mikuni VM carb I didn't notice much of any power increase - what I noticed was a more responsive carb - things happened a tiny bit faster when I moved the throttle. The Mikuni is not a constant velocity carb, and it doesn't have a TEV valve to help with the rumble if you close the throttle while decelerating or shifting - so you have to become a better rider and learn how to operate the throttle to cut down on the backfire while coasting or shifting. It does take some mechanical and jetting skill to get this right.....and the Mikuni is not a "bolt in" for connection to to the stock air cleaner - so you will either have to adapt plumbing or use a different air cleaner. (I use a large foam air cleaner). I really don't know how much difference a carb swap will make on a stock engine. Here is what the "forum" has been recommending for the order of improvements in the Tech Section. http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1291516932 |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by Flint on 09/26/17 at 08:46:45 0C262A2B2E2F450 wrote:
If you have ever rode a Ninja 250 they are pretty much identical in performance to the Savage. The Savage/S40 has quicker acceleration to around 55 mph but the top speed is about the same for both bikes. My son has a Ninja 250 and we would ride around on our bikes together. Stopping for gas we would use the same amount for the same distances. I would have thought the Ninja 250 would have gotten much better milage. |
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Title: Re: Opinions on riding a savage after a 'high' hp Post by LANCER on 09/26/17 at 16:37:42 Flint, we have folks from every flavor of the 2 wheeled world. The average age here is about 50 and years on 2 wheels probably averages 20-30 years, with a lot of us in the 40-50 year range. We have a few engineers and many others with machine shop experience. There is a lot going on here. And really good/nice folks too. |
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