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Message started by Juliana on 01/21/20 at 00:27:50

Title: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/21/20 at 00:27:50

Hi All,

My first post, ill try and not be too long winded.

Im in New Zealand and basking in summer heat right now and getting in a lot of riding.

Ive had quite a few bikes in fact still have a Suzuki SV1000 and my beloved Suzuki SG350 Goose.

Have to say Ive never liked crusiers regarding them as fat ugly and wallowy things, slow too. And while seeing many Suzuki S40s over the years ive never given them a second glance but my dad used to own A Velocette Venom 500 and a Matchless 500 g80 and so the big S40 lump was sort of familiar.

I also have been riding a little Suzuki vanvan 200 and loving it. Anyway a 2017 s40 came up for sale with only 2000kms on it and pretty much as new. Went for a ride and loved it and on impulse bought it :)

Already put a superbrace on it, just looking at those raked forks gave me the shivers after my sportsbike riding.

Impressions? Well very comfortable after i adjusted to what, for me, is very strange feet forward, and high bars set up. Its super in town and love the torque. Being used to some pretty dubious build quality ( especially plating ) on various Suzukis ive owned, ive got it slathered in anti corrosion spray on various parts.

The large skinny front wheel is taking a bit of getting used to and im definately noticing the way it can flop into a corner. Dont mind the vibes one little bit but then im a girl haha.

Honestly my only real complaint so far ( given the nature of the bike) is the crap rear suspension. Bought a set of progressives 11 inch on ebay last night.

Hugely informative forum by the way, so impressed :)

Juliana.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/21/20 at 00:29:27

pics

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/21/20 at 00:30:13

pic My Goose

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/21/20 at 00:30:41

Came with great viking side bags and a screen too .

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Serowbot on 01/21/20 at 07:31:35

Welcome...
I've admired the Goose for years, if they sold them here in the US I'd have one.
PS.. those 11" shocks will help a lot.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by batman on 01/21/20 at 08:54:59

Welcome , the shocks will work nicely , they'll reduce steering angle and stop the front footpegs from dragging . you may have to be carful of the passenger pegs /muffler hitting.
If you like the header to not be bluing ,I'd check out the , white spacer mod , rejetting and adjusting the fuel mix screw .(They make a vast improvement on the way the bike runs)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/21/20 at 09:55:00

Some things depend on your height, I find I wouldn't want the bike sitting higher at the rear as it makes it harder to reverse the bike into garages and parking spaces. The stock S40 is easier to reverse than the GN 250 I used to own. After nearly 80000 km I've got used to it, I do use an Airhawk seat pad for a little extra comfort.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/21/20 at 16:06:20

3224332E36232E35410 wrote:

Welcome...
I've admired the Goose for years, if they sold them here in the US I'd have one.
PS.. those 11" shocks will help a lot.

Thank you, hopefully they will be here in a week :) And yes the Goose probably fits me better than any bike ive owned...you wouldnt want to be much over 5.7 tho haha

Heres a bit of Goose eye candy for you :)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/21/20 at 16:08:07

0102170E020D575B630 wrote:

Thanks and yes im hoping so. The fueling seems spot on at the moment although i suspect its on the lean side.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/21/20 at 16:12:27

4C455552494D4355260 wrote:

Im used to heaving my SV1000 about although it is lowered but Iknow what you mean. And yep I have been using an airhawk cushion for about 15 years, great product!. It seems beyond the capabilities of most bike makers to make a comfy seat. Imagine buying a car and the first thing you needed to do was change the suspension and fit new seats. haha

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by MMRanch on 01/21/20 at 22:49:58

Welcome Juliana

I've ridden my Savage (S-40) on some 3000 mile per/week trips and its plenty capable of going anywhere its pointed. Actually I re-fit-ed a Harley Soft-tail two piece seat to it. A few of us have put the larger 25 tooth front pulley off a old belt drive Kawasaki 500 - onto the LS650's to take advantage of that long stroke engine. But all those "MOD's will come along in their own time ... or lots of folks just ride-em like they are forever. Our buddy in Texas YouzGuyz is coming up on 200,000 miles on his and it still looks stock w/shield and bags.

That fork brace is a mighty thing in the mountains ! ;)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/22/20 at 00:01:22

Thanks :)

Yes I noticed the difference with the fork brace fitted right away, it definately feels more taught and solid at the front end.

Ive only done 50 mile max rides so far. It seems a common thought expressed on the forum that a 100 mile ride is a bit of a feat on the S40. Im not saying anything until Ive tried it haha but i have 500km ( 300 mile ) round trip coming up to visit my Mum so we will see. Im waiting for a pair of decent rear shocks to arrive first tho hopefully by the end of the month.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/22/20 at 01:44:46

Longest day ride I've done was Hokitika to Ivercargill a few years ago. yes I felt it at the end of the day. but I kept up with Triumph Bonnies, new ones, Harley 1200 sporster and a 1984 large Kawasaki. Covered Crown Range and Napier Taihape on the way home. Just play it easy on metal roads.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/22/20 at 02:23:42

Hiya Kiwi, well that trip would definately qualify as a mission! Yes no metal roads on my trip lol :) Fyi I had it in heavy heavy Auckland traffic in the hot afternoon. The gearbox and clutch took a real beating but it performed fine and neutral and shifting was as easy as I when i started.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/22/20 at 02:37:43

Since you are still up a couple of pointers. The rear brake is very prone to lock up, so watch it in the wet. There are solutions on this site. I don't care what anyone else says, but the original IRC rear tyre is shyte. It terrified me in wet weather and on tar snakes or differences between tar heights in the wet. I don't have much skill but I rode reasonably hard, within the bikes capability and the rear tyre was worn to the canvas or nylon, whatever, in 6000 km, the front lasted better. I changed to a 140/90/15 Continental and the difference was profound, I now run 140/90/15 Michelin Commander and that's good too. Having said this some of the tech savvy people on this site prefer 130/90/15 because they maintain it improves handling. Watch that rear brake, even when it's dry.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/22/20 at 11:27:11

All good thanks for the feedback on the tyre too. Ive noted the replacements you have given me :)

Havent had a problem with the rear drum ( yet ) but do like the feel it has compared to the rear ( and useless), wooden feeling, discs on every other bike ive owned.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/23/20 at 21:04:40

I note some of your photos appear to be taken at or near Devonport. if you live on the shore or out west, why not give the little girl some excercise up Highway 16 and return by SH1 from Wellsford avoiding the tunnels. Wouldn't do it this weekend though.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/23/20 at 23:23:25

I know the route only too well :)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/24/20 at 14:53:47

If you do try it on 16 going north, try and avoid downshifts and just test the torque for your own satisfaction, you should be able to do mucgh of 16 in 5th if you get a traffic free run. You may need a change down on Cleasby's hill near a 30km corner and goinsouth you will need to be down for much of Cleasbys. but you will find the torque excellent, just watch overtaking at highway speeds, might pay to be down for that.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by DesertCat on 01/24/20 at 16:12:06

I'm jealous of you guys living in New Zealand. I would love to visit there. It's on my bucket list -- but not likely to get done before I get to the dirt nap. Oh well, I can dream.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/24/20 at 18:02:49

Aww i hope you can visit one day. Its a perfect country for a bike .

Ive just got back from an absolutely beautiful ride in the summer sun along the coast, ( 120 km ) even stopped for a skinny dip haha.

Loving the ride, just riding the torque, and enjoying a slower pace.

Really, my only criticism of the bike overall is the rear shocks which give me a pounding. Progressives on order so Ill let you know how they are.

The ergonomics ( bars, seat, pegs ) are a perfect fit for me, but then im only 5.6. Id imagine a 6 footer would need to be doing some adjustments !. It sure makes a change, its usually me fiddling about with bar risers and lowering kits et al. :)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/25/20 at 00:45:25

Desert Cat, you would get roughly $1.30 NZ for $1US, petrol is dear by your standards as far as I can work out about $US5.07 per US gal, we're in litres so it gets hard to calculate· Petrol for S40's is 91 RON, which seems to equate to 87AKI.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by DesertCat on 01/25/20 at 02:21:26

Last time I flew it was for work -- back in the late 90s. I swore I'd never fly again, and I haven't. It does limit the places I can go.

Not only would I like to see the beauty of New Zealand, but I'm an amateur astronomer and I'd love to see the southern hemisphere sky.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by LANCER on 01/25/20 at 15:36:28

0B2A3C2A3D3B0C2E3B4F0 wrote:

When standing you see the northern hemisphere, so if you stand on your head you should be able to see the southern hemisphere. 8-)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/25/20 at 18:42:17

And proof positive that the s40 can even fit a 4 foot something size. My umm short buddy on a beach ride today
She makes the little suzuki look huge haha

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/25/20 at 19:09:50

Was the Lady riding or pillioning, and if pillioning how did she like the rear seat?

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/25/20 at 20:01:47

Well it was rather strange JC, i asked how was it on the back ? She said oh its very comfortable! Even worse she said she kept nodding off on the ride home haha. I said did you notice any jarring through the suspension? ( i sure did ), No, she said, its super comfy :). The ride was about 80kms.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/25/20 at 22:45:59

Can't pick the beach, but with your model of bike about the only piece of shyte chrome would be the exhaust system. I'm not sure how the powder coating or paint on the forks and crank case will stand up to our chip seal. I note the fork protectors or what ever they are were removed when you fitted the brace. Might pay to keep that area and above it clean. Oh and the chrome difficult to clean screen mounts are absolute shyte.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/26/20 at 00:06:25

Yeps I know what you mean about corrosion of Suzuki plating on nuts/bolts. large surfaces.

Ive noticed the quality varies from Suzuki model to model and sometimes even in the same model.

Before my SV1000 I had a sv650 that i bought from new and noticed how crappy so much of the plating was. I tried various things but after years of Suzukis have settled on a regime that works for me. I live a stones throw from the beach and all my bikes have salty breeze over them pretty much all year round.

What works for me is a an oily rag wiped over the exposed fork slides, and once a month a spray of CRC Marine on all metal surfaces. Its cheap doesnt make a mess or leave sticky coat, and it works :) I had my very corrosion inclined sv650 for 5 years and the metalwork and plating were as new when i sold it. The trick is simply to keep on top of it and its a job i dont mind.

Already had the axles out and greased them...haha can you tell ive owned Suzukis?

That Suzuki oem screen, despite appearances, is really effective by the way. But yes the chrome stays on the inside might be tricky to keep corrosion free..ill see how it goes.

Still got your 650?

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by pg on 01/26/20 at 07:08:43

I used ACF-50 and CorrosionX as an anti-corrosion agents. ACF-50 was designed for the aircraft subframes. Both work quite well; however, they do leave a film on the bike for a good while. Once a year I take off the plastics, cover up everything I don't want to get it on a, and fog it.

Best regards,

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/26/20 at 10:16:14

I've only got the S40 with just under 79000 kms on it.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/26/20 at 12:24:09

6E797F737C6C1E0 wrote:

Hi, yes ive got a couple of tins of ACF-50. here its pricey but agree its good stuff. I dont like the sticky film much, but if im storing a bike/parts for a while i do use it Smiley

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/26/20 at 12:27:09

79k Jc? wow thats a significant mileage. Any major issues during that time?

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/26/20 at 13:51:15

Two dead lead acid batteries, if you contemplate going gel in the standard battery box, you may have to trim a small rubber/foam pad the battery sits on. I tried going gel, but the gel battery was 1mm or so too high for the box, gave up and went back to lead acid. I have the "Notorious Head Plug Leak" I think, I just watch the oil level and tip some in now and again. If this happens to you, you can buy a better one from Verslagen and there are posts on how to install it. One poster from this country claimed he installed one by removing the front tappet cover. I don't know how true this is. I did have the speedo rattle which the servicing dealer fixed some years ago. There's clamp below the exhaust pipe which has rattled loose, bolt probably frozen due to heat and rust, not sure if the nut is captive or not, living with rattle. At the 72000km dealer service, the mechanic claimed the clutch was slipping under moderate acceleration. I'd had a ride with much lane splitting, hate that, and no doubt the oil was hot and the clutch hard worked. This may occur but the bike can still cruise respectably at, or dear I say it, above our ridiculous open road limits. Speaking of clutch, another thing to watch is so called "moving block" at road works. This only happened once on Schedyways Hill out of Warkworth. A truck moving at 20km was set in front of a line of traffic to reduce speed over new chip seal. I was on and off the clutch until it pretty much disappeared. Turned round and went back towards Puhoi, as the oil cooled the clutch returned. Those are my issues.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Serowbot on 01/26/20 at 15:19:35

6C657572696D6375060 wrote:

One poster from this country claimed he installed one by removing the front tappet cover. I don't know how true this is..

Training the chipmunk took months... :-?

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by MMRanch on 01/26/20 at 15:53:29

JC

I was reading about your slipping clutch on a high millage bike.

When the Aluminum clutch pack gets hot it swells , but the steel/fiber plates don't. So ...

I experienced the same thing. (a little over 50,000 miles.)

Upon investigation I found the clutch pack with no disk in it can only collapse so much. Well , I measured the thickness of each disk in the pack added them together and found the empty clutch pack could not collapse enough.
Apparently , the steel disk are all in tolerance and the fiber disk are in tolerance .
So ... " What the **** " .
The deal is : Those fiber plates and steel plates don't wear ,
but ,
the back of the clutch pack "does the same job as the steel plates". It's ALUMINUM and it does wear , the solution is to add an extra steel disk into the clutch pack. $8.50 +- 99% chance the dealer will have to order it.

Steel plates = about .060"
Fiber plates = about .130"

1 steel plate is enough , you may need to increase the length of the push rod in the middle of the clutch pack for the thicker disk pack ... but maybe not ? It's only .060" we are adding ! Mine has enough adjustment to work like a new one ! ;)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by IslandRoad on 01/26/20 at 16:26:05

@JCStokes, I discovered the same issue with the gel battery. I removed the padding from the bottom of the holder, as you suggested and it still took some 'encouragement' (accompanied by a sprinkling of swearing).

I got it in. I wouldn't want to be taking it out again any time soon though!

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/26/20 at 17:34:09

[quote author=767F6F687377796F1C0 link=1579595271/30#33 date=1580075475]Two dead lead acid batteries, if you contemplate going gel in the standard battery box, you may have to trim a small rubber/foam pad the battery sits on etc

Thanks for your experiences. over 77k its a pretty modest list thank goodness :)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/26/20 at 17:39:48

764C535E515B6D505E5B3F0 wrote:

When i bought the bike a couple of weeks ago, i noted the battery was a pain to get to and thought to myself i bet no ones looked at that. Sure enough all the cells were way down and needed topping up. Actually i was suprised to see a wet acid battery and will replace it with a gel one when it dies.

Im pretty good at "encouragement" and a sprinkiing of swear words myself so i dont anticipate too much trouble haha.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/26/20 at 18:18:30

One other point Juliana, The belt guard broke twice at the rear where it is clamped by the shock absorber bolt/mounting. The first time I was able to patch it with a larger packer, second time no go. Suzuki NZ wanted $NZ 400, but I got lucky and got one off Trade Me for $150 or so, and a virtually new drive belt was thrown in, could have had the pulleys but too much postage.
You will also have noted your 8litre/2litre reserve tank. I once crammed 11 litres in. If you cram fill, there will be leakage around the tank cap. It's only serious if you fill on a hot day and wander off for coffee or something, cram fill and go. I've done Camebridge Waiouru, but I was on fumes when I got there.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/27/20 at 00:32:40

Thanks and yes i note the point about about the gas tank.

Although i do also run another beastie that has a 6.5 L tank so Im well used to keeping an eyes on distance /fuel. Although the Van Van is blessed with a trip meter ! ( fuel injection too! )

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/27/20 at 00:37:41

5A4C5B465E4B465D290 wrote:

[quote author=6C657572696D6375060 link=1579595271/30#33 date=1580075475]One poster from this country claimed he installed one by removing the front tappet cover. I don't know how true this is..

Training the chipmunk took months... :-?[/quote]

Might be the same guy who asked me if it was hard to adjust the valves on the Titan haha

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by verslagen1 on 01/27/20 at 07:34:13

585141465D595741320 wrote:

I have the "Notorious Head Plug Leak" I think, I just watch the oil level and tip some in now and again. If this happens to you, you can buy a better one from Verslagen and there are posts on how to install it. One poster from this country claimed he installed one by removing the front tappet cover. I don't know how true this is. .

Not possible, the head cover sits on the plug to hold it down.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/27/20 at 10:05:29

Ok maybe it was the head cover that he removed.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by MMRanch on 01/27/20 at 19:00:32

Ok maybe it was the head cover that he removed.
...............................

Yea , I've had two bikes and three frames . On the two frames I've need to remove the top cam cover.
The middle bolt has to be in the hole as the cover is eased on/off. There is about 1/2" space extra so its really not that big of a deal. ;)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/29/20 at 17:09:10

Happy face :)

because...these arrived today ! Ill try and get them fitted at the weekend

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/29/20 at 17:11:00

da daaaaaa

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 01/30/20 at 07:36:21

You’ll be smiling even more once you take a ride with them.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Serowbot on 01/30/20 at 08:21:58

Huge dogs in the yard... :o

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by LANCER on 01/30/20 at 11:16:44

3F293E233B2E23384C0 wrote:

Huge dogs in the yard... :o

They are a new breed, called Moo-dogs.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/30/20 at 13:13:21

594F58455D48455E2A0 wrote:

Huge dogs in the yard... :o

haha we grow big ones here!

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/30/20 at 21:44:52

I'm not sure I understand the posts about dogs, however, Juliana, couuld you please measure how much the progressives raise the rear of the bike?

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/30/20 at 22:01:49

Dogs...cows in the background of my pic haha, And yes I'll let you know..they are 11 inches and standard shocks are 10.5...not too much in it.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 01/31/20 at 00:11:11

You must live rural or semi rural, if it's not being rude, how much were the shocks in $NZ? Got stung on the jaw on the way home from Parakai today.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 01/31/20 at 01:17:06

4C455552494D4355260 wrote:

You must live rural or semi rural, if it's not being rude, how much were the shocks in $NZ? Got stung on the jaw on the way home from Parakai today.

I hear ya on the bee, just as well you had your mouth closed tho! Sent you a pm re the shock details for nz :)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 02/03/20 at 13:16:40

Well Progressive shocks fitted and ive done about 50kms on them

Being the 11 inch ones they are 15mm taller than the standard ones. You notice that at first. The seat seems raised at the rear so you slope more to the tank, the bars too feel lower, neither of those bother me.

The ride is considerably more composed with none of the jarring and stiffness of the standard shocks. When you look down you can see them working smoothly. They arrive on the softest setting with 5 preload positions, ive set it at 2 clicks up from the standard setting which seems about right.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by jcstokes on 02/03/20 at 18:38:59

Just over 1/2 inch taller, might make a difference backing or parking with my little legs

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 02/08/20 at 01:11:19

A bit of an update on suspension and handling.

For what its worth my riding has been mainly on sportsbikes and the S40 is my first cruiser style bike so it has taken a bit of adjusting to.

Ive been riding it in a pretty relaxed way, and not pushing it or expecting it to handle or perform like my sports bikes. I have enjoyed the experience greatly, especially the easy going undemanding nature of the bike and the nice fat torque.

One issue was a feeling the front end felt a bit vague and the front wheel tramlines on some road surfaces. My main issue was the horrible rear shocks. Hard jarring things and of course, the first time for me to experience cruiser positioned shocks, that sent the shocks right up my spine!

I pretty much figured it was the limiting factor for me in thinking about touring on the bike, because i felt battered after an hour on it, on anything but smooth surfaces.

However Ive had plenty of experience with Suzuki rubbish suspension units in the past and knew aftermarket shocks can be great, or sometimes a unit from a higher spec Suzuki model if its a monoshock.

As you know I fitted a Superbrace to the front forks and Progressive 412', 11.5 inch shocks to the back. Both made an immediate difference on short 50km rides as initial impressions.

Today tho I was able to give to give the bike a good workout up into the hills on a demanding road of steep hills, swooping bends, tight bends, smooth surfaces and some pretty cut up surfaces and potholes. I covered 276 kms riding gently, pushing it hard and everything in between!

To say i was really surprised would be an understatement. The front end felt much more solid and tied together. But the main surprise was the rear end! It was both supple and comfortable, yet still taut with great rebound damping, it has completely transformed the bike. I even aimed at some potholes just to feel the shocks deal with them! Colour me impressed lol. ( im 64 kgs, i found the shocks worked best for me at 2 clicks up from the softest position ).

No longer distracted by crappy rear suspension units i was also surprised and pleased with how rigid the frame is. I guess the relatively low power and light weight helps, but it really seems a well designed frame for the bike . :)

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/08/20 at 05:10:13

You just trying to tell us you're happy with the modifications or are you auditioning for a writing/reviewing position for a bike magazine?

Good going, and keep writing.

All in, total miles, lifetime on road, not dirt, how many miles would you guess you've got?
I figure I've got a total of in the neighborhood of forty thousand. Some guys here have well over 150,, just on their savage,,

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 02/08/20 at 13:16:27

Thanks :)

Now theres a question, ive never thought how many miles I have done on two wheels, and it really brought back some happy memories of bikes as I thought about it!

One part is easy tho, Ive never ridden on the dirt or owned a trail/dirt bike. Im also guessing that riding as a passenger doesnt count. Thats a pity because my earliest memories of riding are on the back of my dads Velocette Venom and later my brothers Gpz900.

Anyway, Im not sure of the total but it would be, at my best estimate, 170k to 200,000 miles. I started riding on my own bike at 16 ( when I started you got your licence at 15 ) Mainly in my home country of New Zealand and boosted by only having a bike for transport for 5 years.

Mainly big bikes in NZ and Australia, but also huge mileages done on small 50cc to 125 cc bikes touring through Philippines. Vietnam and especially multiple tours in Thailand.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/08/20 at 19:05:23

I figured you for quite a few miles,,, but that is a bunch!

Good to have another really experienced rider, giving the Savage a try. It'll be interesting to see your overall rating after so many other bikes.

Title: Re: Bought an S40
Post by Juliana on 02/08/20 at 19:57:31

Hmm you know what Justin, I sort of had an epiphany when i bought a Suzuki VanVan 200 two years ago. I bought it on a whim for the sole reason i was in love with how it looked.

Its the slowest bike I have ever owned and i love it so much its probably my go to bike. It taught me another side of motorcycling, just enjoying the ride. And that saying thats its more fun getting the most out of a small bike really resonates with me.

As for the Suzuki S40 im simply enjoying it for what it is and its definately a keeper. Ive known them for so long and cant believe its taken me so long to ride one and appreciate what it offers. Its limitations are obvious enough but I like having a carb again, love having no on board computer and riding modes, love pulling out the choke and warming it up. In other words the things most bike magazine testers would laugh at I enjoy. And in the modest performance envelope the S40 occupies its a great machine to me :). Im guessing you feel the same.