I've got an '87.  It has enough power, cruising at 65 mph, it turns a meager 4,400 RPM (I have an electronic tach) at this 4,300 ft. elevation I live at.  It depends what you want.  It's all I need and I am satisfied.  The bike is relatively maintenance free.  As far as an extra gear, mine is the 4 speed.  Only difference between it and the 5 speed (such as the '97) is about 300 RPM's more in 4th versus the 5th.

I had a great year with my Savage in 2003. Put about 9300 miles on it since I took it out of storage in the middle of last March. Rode from NYC to various places including central PA/Poconos, New Hampshire, Maryland and DC.

I've generally done each of those trips reaching highway speeds of 65-70's, carrying me (at <120 lbs) plus a sleeping bag and packed T-Bag & saddlebags.

I must agree with FitzKid about having the power to pass whenever needed.

Gerry

I love my Savage. I think it's more of a around town bike myself, it gets a little buzzy around 70 to 75 mph IMHO. I would like to try out a 887 HD on the interstate to see how it compares. You can't beat the savage for in town cruising.

I have a 03 5 speed by the way.

Is it thread revival week already?

Sometimes on here you'll read comments about the LS650 needing more power, another gear/lower rpms on the interstate, less buzz, etc.  They start to look at bigger bikes.  But if you go to the other bike sites you'll read the same thing.  M50/C50 owners, Vulcan 900 owners, etc., post the same comments- the bike is buzzy on the interstate, needs another gear, needs more power, etc.  They start eyeballing the VTX 1300 and the V-Star 1100s.  But over on the VTX 1300 and V-Star 1100 sites the owners are saying the same thing as well- want less buzz, needs another gear, needs more power, etc.  It seems just about every bike owner wants less buzz, another gear, more power, etc.  I guess it's just human nature.