1. How many of you ride stock (no mods to carb/intake/ exhaust)? And, how satisfied are you w/performance?
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Its ok. Backfires aren't that bad, if its only once in a while. But continous you will see some kind of damage, eventually. I've ridden stock two years now. Going mod this summer. I can't imagine once you'd go there you'd ever want to go back stock.
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Re. the EPA regs, I wouldn't want to do the mods, then have to undo them. I know a lot of people are saying the regs are unenforceable; but, we don't really know that -- especially w/a possible $10,000 fine.
We also don't know for sure if global warming is a reality.
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You don't have to do the mods. Infact you could just drill out the brass plug and tune you carb better. (which probably takes all of about 5 minutes.) Do you really think someone at a testing site is going to know the difference between a Mac, Jardine, Stock, Harley, muffler? I doubt it....
You'll find that all of us here (if I may be so bold) will tell you to ride the bike as you like. That's the fun of the Savage, make it the way you like. If you like stock, stay stock. I for one, would atleast drill the brass plug and tune the carb.
- Roadie