The Savage will handle it...your primary issue will be the seat, if it is still stock.  You would be wise to get some gel to sit on, either an add on pad or built in seat.

Patty,

I will share with you my most recent experience for what it is worth.  Within the last six months I have ridden the Savage from New Orleans to Montana and back.  However, I did not use interstates, or as little as possible. The reason for that is simple; I find them boring. The reason I mention this is because you mentioned 70mph and to me that translates to interstate.  I really do not find the Savage an enjoyable interstate cruiser day after day.

My trip was a tour and by that I mean that I chose to ride between 300 and 400 miles a day with a lot of sightseeing. I was not trying to get from A to B within a certain amount of time.  The Savage was more than capable and reasonably comfortable.  My bike is not stock and I won’t bore you with all the changes, but I will make one strong recommendation and that is change out the stock rear shocks to Progressive shocks (12.5 inch) and raise the front of the seat to your taste.  Without a rear shock change I would not take the Savage on a long road trip.

Part of this too is how much punishment (translates to fun to a pure motorcyclist) one is willing to accept.  What I am getting to here is the physical condition and experience of the rider.  Simply as a point of reference what I do to try to stay in somewhat reasonable physical shape is to ride both mountain bikes (off road) and a cross bike on road. My weekly miles on these bikes approaches 150, not much and would like it to be more but work gets in the way.  If you have every ridden a hard tail mountain bike off road then, in comparison, you would appreciate the Savage as luxurious even without the rear shock change.

I am now planning a Route 66 ride on the Savage.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

Patty wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


If Cindik doesn't chime in you might want to hunt her down at her website.  She's was certified crazy in 1997 when she rode her Savage 1020 miles in a 24 hour period.

Personally, the three things that have contributed the most to an improved riding experience have been the fork brace, gel seat and Progressive shocks.  I firmly believe the Savage/S40 is durable/dependable enough for long rides; it was just a question of comfort.  With those three things, I wouldn't hesitate - though I only ever seem to find the time for a few hundred miles at a time at best these days.  I should also mention the addition of Kuryakyn grips.  They definitely add to riding comfort as well.

Ive put as many as 500 miles a day on my 02 at speeds averaging 60 to 65 mph, and I find that is more than enough for me. The bike will handle it just great but your hands will go numb and will so your feet. Best advice for long trips is to wear a good pair of gloves and motorcycle boots to absorb the vibration. The vibration will wear you out  Besides, and I think most in here will agree, that when you become fatigued on a motorcvcle its very dangerous.  Give the bike and yourself a good rest . Camp out, rent a motel with a pool and find  good mom and pops  resteraunt and just enjoy what motorcyle touring is really about

What does the Superbrace add? I think I'm already sold but still want to hear the details.

This thread about long distancing touring is great! I'm planning/hoping to do some shorter distance touring next summer and I was planning on doing it with my Savage. It's good to hear from some who have done it that it's up to the challenge....

When talking about the ForkBrace and wobbles. When at a high rate of speed (usually 60 and above) and I am in a lean I get the wobbles pretty bad. Am I just hitting the cornering limitations of the bike or is that something that the ForkBrace and progressive shocks would help?