Thanks for the heads up on the prices, slavy.

Not sure where I got the battery price. BikeBandit has it for $50. And I didn't consider shipping charges.

On the carb - called the suzuki dealership closest to home. They quoted $95 to have a carb taken apart, cleaned, and re assembled. I didn't ask about a full tune-up.

Tim

I'm more of the opinion that something is worth what you're willing to pay. There will be people that tell you one thing or another, but the range you're considering seems reasonable, and what's important is that YOU are comfortable with the cost, or the ride.  

I, personally, would not buy something for that much money that wasn't running, despite the low mileage. Would it be worth it to you to pay to have the bike picked up by a stealership, and paying to have the carb tuned or new battery installed so you could get it started and then subtract those costs from the seller's price? You would have some kind of agreement to purchase if it starts and is okayed by the mechanic. Kind of like buying a house where the furnace needs replacing and the cost is subtracted from the price. I think you'll really like the Savage as a first post-MSF bike.

D*mn. The owner called to say he got it running...

Ah well. He definitely deserves what he can get for it. I'm going by tomorrow to negotiate...  8)

TJ watchout for that Sluggo dude he made me buy a 3rd bike right before Christmas - even twisted my virtual arm I tell you.  that's my story and I'm sticking to it

ok so now it's tomorrow - you went and got it right?

D*mn... Savage_Rob's got ESP or sumethin.....

Went and look at it again today. Just like the owner said - he got it running. It was running and in the driveway when I got there. I asked him if it started well when warm. He shut it off, and started it right up again.

There's more gold on the exhaust than I could see when it was in the barn.

So here's the specs:
2002 Savage.
2900 miles
Windsheild
Saddlebags
bike cover

$2,400  

Oh - and the specs on me:
35, wife, 2 small kids.
0 riding miles under my a$$
Dad used to take me for rides on his '75 Honda CB750 all the time when I was a kid. It was the only way to get to soccer practice! He just traded a Harley sportster 1200 for a GoldWing.

I'm taking the MSF Beginning rider course this weekend. A new bike aquaintance is going with me to pick the bike up in his trailer next weekend.

I'm thinking of holding off on the carb & exhaust mods until this winter. They say most bike accidents by newbies occur because they lose control of the bike. Apparently many of these accidents happen on bikes with more gumption than a newbie should be on in the first place.

I figure I'll keep it underpowered until my riding improves. Then I'll just improve the bike instead of trading for something else.

Not bad for a days work.  8)

Great start- after msf, ride and ride some more..don't bother with much in the way of
modifcations..concentrate on developing your riding skills.  If you still love it come Fall, and 1K miles or so..then plan yur mods, save your money and make big hints around XMas time..Just think, a whole new area of Xmas gifts your fam can work on getting you.
So if you get it, and the price doesn't seem too out of line given bags and windshield, let us know.