Yep. Weight loss also applies to the rider. The less total weight that you have to accelerate the quicker you are. Unlike this guy.

The fastest and cheapest way to better acceleration, handling and braking from a motorcycle is weight loss. The Savage is carrying around a lot of bloat in stock form, especially the grossly oversized battery and all the steel bodywork. Coupled with Stage 3 mods you'll be much happier with the bike and less likely to want to crack the engine open.

If I was going to put a Yamaha Raptor engine in a motorcycle frame, it most certainly wouldn’t be a frame of a Savage.

This statement might bring the conversation back on topic; just how much horsepower can a Savage adequately handle? Even with my BBK, suspension improvements and improved steering geometry (from a handling standpoint, not a stability standpoint), I really don’t need or want a faster Savage. The character of the engine (specifically the vibration) is perfect for back road cruising, but it's just not the bike I’m taking out of the garage for a fast ride.

I think that improving the airflow through the head probably pays dividends in making the engine smoother and more enjoyable. What I really enjoy about DBM, Armen, Batman - and others - posts is the scientific approach they take to engine building.

A Newbie ,   may not have thought you were goofing. maybe you should think about adding one of these to the end of your post  
     You make it sound easy, but frame mods would have to be made, and the DR650 motor would be a better candidate .

MMRanch wrote on Yesterday at 22:42:08:


Common Riding Mishaps on the Famous Mulholland Snake

http://www.twistypedia.com/roads/usa/california/mulholland-highway/


Stop and have a burger at the rock store.

Anybody know where that road is ???

I don't want to ride it ... just park beside the curves and laugh !!!  

batman wrote on Yesterday at 21:31:37:


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Of course you know I'm goofing, but yeah you'd just need a wire harness and electrical bits off the donor quad. Chain drive is cheap and easy. It'd be the modernized S40 Suzuki seems unwilling to make.

But it doesn't react to a Savage frame well ( the cylinder leans to far forward )and you'll have to change to chain drive , motor mounts , foot controls , ignition module, voltage regulator , etc .

Open Shaft Drive ...   ... just waiting for someones pants leg to get caught in.   And "End-Less" power in ripping those pants right off of ya !  

What on earth are they thinking ... what a combo ...

Dave you should buy one then sue for a new pair of pants afterwards !  

I know they mean well     nice looking machine too !
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Fast 650 wrote on Yesterday at 16:23:06:


Yes, but the Raptor engine responds so much more enthusiastically to Stage 3 upgrades...