SuzukiSavage.com - Went and looked at a used Savage today

Paladin.

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Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today
Reply #30 - 03/01/06 at 17:45:33

$2400! You did good.

*ALL* motorcycles have more gumption than a newbie should be on in the first place. I popped a wheelie on my Honda 50 with my sister on the back -- when the front wheel touched back down I had no passenger.

Your major danger point is three-six months from the start of riding. That's when you begin to be confident and start pushing the limits. The limits do not push back, they slap.

Defensive riding is very similar to defensive driving -- keep your 2 second clear forward space, sharp attention four seconds forward, scan as far as you can see for developing situations. Keep an eye to the rear. Check every intersection for those ignoring traffic controls. Trust no one. If you've been driving a cage accident free you got most of it down already -- the only new thing with a motorcycle is (1) some people will not see you and (2) if you have a collision you will get hurt to some, hopefully small, extent.

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Reelthing Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Fish or ride that is the question Posts: 5397 Houston,Tx Gender:	Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today Reply #31 - 03/01/06 at 19:13:53 Sounds good - after the msf course - ride it every day, just short trips, even a couple miles.
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vroom1776 Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 2110 Gender:	Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today Reply #32 - 03/02/06 at 07:08:20 Good price! Be careful!
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mornhm - FSO

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Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today
Reply #33 - 03/02/06 at 07:36:11

IMHO - After your MSF class, follow their instructions (at least what I was told in class): get the Savage out onto a safe flat area with nothing to run into or over and practice - start right back at the beginning with rocking the MC. It will handle different than the MC's in the class. Slowly acclimate yourself to riding on the street and in traffic.

I suggest that you get some miles under your belt (>1000) before you start modifying (otherwise you may end up doing things over - which is OK if that's what you like). My modification after about 6K miles and the weather turning colder was to get another MC. I still ride my Savage, but only when the weather is warm and I'm not going far.

Have fun and keep the rubber side down. Don't get complacent that's how the shiny side gets down. I recently set my Concours down on it's side (first time) because I forgot to check if the side stand was down. No damage, but a real reminder to pay attention.

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Savage_Rob

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Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today
Reply #34 - 03/02/06 at 10:28:53

I'd agree with the above, though I'd recommend the basic seat mod before getting too many miles under your @ss as those miles will be easier on your nads if you do. It may fart enough that you'll decide to at least play with the idle mixture screw. However, that can be done without taking anything apart. In fact, it's one of the few things you can do without removing the seat and tank. Congratulations and keep the rubber side down!

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Dynobob

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Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today
Reply #35 - 03/02/06 at 11:01:11

Congratulations on your new ride. That's a good price. The bikes run decent in stock form if you can stand the popping on deacceleration. You should be in no hurry to do some mods.

Ride easy at first - around a parking lot or around your neighborhood. Gradually work up to longer rides. Ride safe and very defensively. Watch the cars on the road very carefully and keep your distance. Be especially careful when approaching intersections. I usually "cover" my front brake when approaching intersections with any cars around.

And most important - enjoy your new bike

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magicfairy Ex Member	Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today Reply #36 - 03/02/06 at 11:15:26 tjhart wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02: I do best with 2 tools:The yellowpages and my checkbook. LOL - must remember that one. Says it all.
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mornhm - FSO

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Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today
Reply #37 - 03/02/06 at 11:29:40

Savage_Rob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03:

It may fart enough that you'll decide to at least play with the idle mixture screw. However, that can be done without taking anything apart. In fact, it's one of the few things you can do without removing the seat and tank.

+1 to what Savage_Rob said.

I don't consider adjustments to be modifications. I among others have been able to reduce the backfire to almost zero by just adjusting the bike "correctly." Some people probably consider rejetting the carb to also be tuning rather than modification. It wasn't necessary to remove the objectionable backfire for me.

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cigaro

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Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today
Reply #38 - 03/02/06 at 14:00:29

Congratulations. You got a GREAT deal. Seriously. And welcome to the club. Speaking as a newbie, I say pay attention to everything the veterans here say about riding and trusting no one and pretending to be invisible at all times, because it's all true. Don't feel you have to drive fast; enjoy cruising at a moderate pace. It still feels a lot faster than the same 30 mph in a car. Practice in the safest and least threatening environments. Work on control. You want to be able to manage braking, shift, turning and accelerating without thinking, because you want to be constantly scanning the road for problems. Again, good luck, have fun and ride safe.

p.s. the vets are also absolutely correct that you have plenty of time for the mods, though I will say that the simple seat mod, which I did this winter, really did improve ridability with my stock Savage seat.

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pgolden

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Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today
Reply #39 - 03/03/06 at 21:38:13

I read somewhere that a high percentage of car/bike collisions are the car turning left in front of a motorcycle. I flip my light dim-bright a few times when I have a car that could turn in front of me. Watch out for rocks and /or gravel in the road, they can be tricky in a turn.
I always wear a fullface helmet and a bike jacket with skid protection, and leather gloves.

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tjhart

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Re: Went and looked at a used Savage today
Reply #40 - 03/03/06 at 22:02:46

Quote:

I read somewhere that a high percentage of car/bike collisions are the car turning left in front of a motorcycle.

If I understand correctly, that's from the famous Hurt report. Pretty serious stuff.

My comment about newbie accidents probably wasn't correct. I'm just spouting off stuff I've read elsewhere - and I've been reading everything I could get my hands on. Maybe I should have said "a lot of newbies wipe out 'cause they had more bike than they knew how to handle".

I like the idea of flicking on your high beams to grab the attention of oncoming left-turners. And don't worry 'bout the gear. I'ts not the most stylish black leather yet, but I've picked out my helmet, jacket, pants, boots & gloves. Just waiting to pass the class before I buy 'em.

tim

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