one way to figue out if the gearing is different is simply to look up part numbers.  if the part numbers are different, the parts are different.  that won't tell us what the gearing actually is, though.  also, it might be a different portion of the part in question that is different.

Savage_Greg wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:

Not really sure when they started calling them S-40, and that's when they lost top end or not. Sorry, what I meant buy all being different was that one site says, the hp for say a 96 is one thing and another says something else. I can't even find a site with hp and rpm stats for an 04-07 S-40.Sure wish it was warmer weather and somebody with a 80+mph Savage lived near me so you could ride mine and see what I mean. My son races dirt bikes and loves it. He calls it a street dirt bike!!!!, but said it would blow up in no time if you drive 75 for very long. SEE WHAT I MEAN!!!!

Oh yeah, a quick check with Ron Ayers shows that parts for the Savage stopped at 2004 and the S40 started at 2005.

Phelonius wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:

I know you were just making a truthful statement, but the 120 and 130mph speeds I was talking about were done by me last summer and i'm almost 56(2 months). My kids think I'm nuts(probably worried). But like I told them, "I would rather die doing something I love than in an old folks home". Has something to do with BLAZE OF GLORY , I guess???

Hutch wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:


That's true, but I do believe they changed the primary ratio when they added the higher cog.  I have those specs in the garage.  So with the primary change, they all changed.

The rest is gear ratios and power output.  I'm not sure if the Savage40 has a rev limiter or not.  Never wanted to find out...or throw a piston

Savage_Greg wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:

I don't think the S-40 has a rev limiter. If it did it would have kicked in way before the rpm's I have hit with it trying to get over 80mph. I am a small block high rev nut. When everybody started going to big block race cars I stuck with small blocks. I never did like the long stroke of the Harley motor. One of many reasons I quit buying Harleys. They took forever to get rolling unless you spent a fortune to soup them up. I don't like the idea of throwing a piston either, but that's what it sounds like I'm going to do everytime I try to get to 80mph. And like I said I'm use to high rev  motors, but I cringe at the rpm's at 80 on my bike. Can't wait for warm weather to rig up a tach and find out what the r's really are when she is MAXED at 80.

Hutch,

What I am thinking is to measure the distance the bike rolls for 1 revolution of the engine in each gear.
take out the sparkplug and the TDC cover.  

Back the bike up to a wall.  
Set the engine at TDC.  
Put it in 1st gear.  
Measure from the wall to something on the bike.  
and roll the bike for 1 rev of the engine.  
Measure again, subtract the first measurement.  
Now you have the final drive distance for first.  
Repeat for all the gears.  

If you measure the circumference of the rear tire, this divided by the final drive distance should give the gear ratio's.  You should be able to do this in a garage.

This might not be incredibly accurate, but should tell you if something is incredibly wrong.  I'll give it a try when I can.

In the 2002 owners manual page 24, max engine speed is 6500 rpm and top speed is 100mph.

If the stealer says that 70 for this bike is pushing it... he obviously hasn't read the manual.

Hutch wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:

Ive been riding for 30 years, mainly on a CB. I did a bone stock early morning highway run with a 2001. I topped it out at 96 going slightly down hill after winding the bike out over 30-35 miles one way while hugging the tank. Another gear would have been another story. Perhaps over 100 albeit the suspension and stock rubber may have objected. good luck with your search for top end. Its been an inspiring read.