Well- I'm a Suzuki LS650 newbie. Just bought a '95 and have had it for 3 days now. Love it! It's as light as my old CB350 and as fast as my old XS650! It only has had the brass plug fixed on the carb; no other modifications that I know of. What fun! I'll be digging into the carb for the recommended mods, and already have a S.E. 30" muffler coming in from ebay. Going to check the valve clearances too; sounds kind of "tappy"... but since I don't know what a new Savage sounds like, it's hard to tell....? Functionally, the only thing I think I'd want to change would be a tripmeter of some sort and a bigger tank. I remember the Chopper Guys in the 60's used to build their own. If I can locate any of those articles, I'll post them. Meanwhile, I greatly appreciate  this forum.... VERY informative and a great tool. I also think the LS650 is a great little secret. Dependable,light fast enough, good mileage, stylish and cheap to buy. When was the last time you heard those terms describe a single motorcycle? Okay, I've blabbed enough about my new ride/experience... let's hear from the other newbies!

Aye, welcome aboard!

Had mine (my wife's, don't tell her I said that!) about two months/1300 miles (we bought her new). I hear that ticking too, but I set the valves, so I'm not worrying about it. I'd prefer them loose rather than tight.

Welcome aboard! Mac

Jerry:

Welcome to the group from Arkansas... 8)

Yes, it's me again running my yapper. I did a little research and found out that while I did get a S.E. muffler, it's for a RoadKing (a "Bagger?") and has a different mount than either the Dyna or the Sporty. It's still 1.75" on the inlet, but the mounts are about 6" rearward of the Suzi's bracket. I'll have to get a piece of flat stock and drill/modify it to extend the stock mount back a bit. Also- it's long. Depending on your taste you might not like it. It extends about 4-5" past the stock can ....really puts the rear brake linkage out of harm's way!
Mounting it doesn't seem to pose any big problem. I'm going to go ahead and try it, because A: It's mine now. and B: The thing retails for $120!! (mine was $19 inc shipping)
Google Search "Slash Down-Screamin’ Eagle® One Piece Performance Mufflers"... here is a direct link...
http://www.hmhd.com/webstore/viewiteminfo.asp?sku=64903%2D99&PID=exhaust&PIDN...

...hopefully that doesn't violate any rules or anything!
    Either way, I'll keep you folks up to date on it and I'll figure out how to post pix if it works.

One of the reasons I wanted the bike was that I was getting very resentful at paying $2 in gasoline to go get a $0.40 item from the store.

When you talk about gas savings you need to separate work and play.  We all must have playtime to maintain our sanity -- a simple fact of being human.  We will spend money on that play; hence the quote "The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys."

Yesterday we spent 5p-1a at Disney's California Adventure -- at a cost of about $60 each.  Last month's Moonlight Run was 8p-7a (more time), more fun, and cost under $30.  

This forum rocks!  I've had my '04 for a little over a year now, done a few mods on her and wouldn't trade her for a big ol' coon dog  (yes i'm from the south, originally)  Weather hasn't been very cooperative here in western ohio but you better believe that when it clears up i'm gonna ride the dog crap out of her (okay, at least ride a tank of gas out ....)

Welcome aboard from up in the Mitten State!