Dear all,  I just bought a new LS650 (2006) and decided to try and do the maintenance myself rather than take it into the shop.  I got the service manual (which just came out) and it is suprising how clear the instructions are, especially compared to the one I have for my car, which is almost incomprehensible.  Let me know if you think I am headed down the road for a mechanical disaster or a meaningful maintenance experience.  Any other advice would also be appreciated.  Here are my current mods.

1) removed all the stickers and the cheap plastic "boulevard" stick ons.  That took a lot of gasoline and careful scraping.  It took me almost a month to figure out that my motorcycle was really a "Savage" and not an "S-40 Boulevard."  That is really confusing.
2) installed Saddlebag supports and got some saddlebags
3) got a license plate and a parking permit for my job.
4) broke it in so it doesn't look so new
5) changed the oil but not the filter.  My motorcycle store was out of the savage filters so I have to go back later or order them online.
6) tightened the two exhaust bolts (coming out of the engine) which were loose.
7) starting reading "Zen and the Art of motorcycle maintenance" for inspiration.
Yours, M U

Welcome,

Raised seat mod a must.  Sportster seat is better.  You hinder parts will thank you.

Also, carb spacer mod highly recommended.

Then there is the windshield, new muffler, carb rejet, K&N air filter, better shocks... well, the list continues to grow.  Soon as I finish one addon, I find a new one I want to do.

I'm curious about the "broke in" as well.  Heck, if you want a "broke in", I'll trade my "broke in" '95 for your "unbroke" '06!  

Gary

I put the S40 gel seat on my 98 and did the standard seat mod, if that's what you mean.