I have over 15,000 on the bike and was wondering how long the shocks last (average miles). I know the suspension isn't the best on this bike but I feel I'm riding a hardtail. Just wondering. How many people have changed their shocks already? If so, is there a better type to replace the old ones.

> I have over 15,000 on the bike

As shocks wear is they lose their damping.  Springs will take a 'set' after a while, too, causing some functional loss of the primary (softer) coils.  At 15K I think this would apply to your bike.

Hagon makes replacement shocks for the LS650:

http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com

> play with the preload of the shocks before replacement

Tweaking the preload just compresses the softer coils, raises the seat height, stiffens the ride, and does nothing to enhance the damping.

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FYI...
If you find that you are getting hammered by your bike no matter what preload setting, the spring rate might be mismatched to your body weight.  Aftermarket shocks can be assembled with different spring options.  I think the previously mentioned Hagons give you a choice of three different progressive-wound springs for the LS650.

If you only weigh in the 130 pound range (just guessing a woman's possible weight), then you needn't have your shocks on any more than the #3 position, maybe even just #2.  For comparison, at 220 I run my shocks on #4 for daily use, and #5 if I'm going on a long ride fully loaded.

Also, take a look inside the spring at the top of the shock body to check if you see any leakage from the seal.  

If still not happy, maybe then you need new shocks....the sky's the limit on what you can get (and so is the price).  Not only a variable preload, but variable dampening too.

Maybe some of these guys with the high mileage Savages can give some input.

jendesigner wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:08:

After I got the setting correct it made the bike much better for the ride to work.  
What type of forward controls do you have??  I'd like to get a set, but don't know what type to get.

The forward controls I have are Highway Hawk from Seegercycle.com. They are not cheap, but worth every penny to me. Here is a link to my photos to see what they look like.

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jendesigner/album?.tok=pherjNBB6Zmni94S&.dir...

> Guys, were is the location of these adjustments
> ....I see a hole in the lower chrome covering

Insert an adequately sized rod, allen wrench, or the screwdriver shaft in the tool kit and rotate the base clockwise or counter-clockwise.  There are five preload settings.

cphilip wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:08:

You can use an allen wrench.  Put it in the hole that is toward the bottom of the shock (the hole is near the top of the large chrome ring at the bottom of the shock).  There are five settings.  To stiffen, turn it clockwise.  To soften, go counterclockwise.  When I changed this on my 2004 I heard a definite, loud click at each setting.  

To make sure you are on the same setting on each side, go all the way to the counterclockwise position (softest setting) and then count the same number of clicks on each side.  This is important -- if they are set differently it could affect the handling of the bike. BTW, you can't tell if they are in the same spot by looking at the shocks (since the same shock is used on both sides, position 1 on the left is in the exact opposite spot as position 1 on the right).