It seems odd that my first post will be a thank you, but I believe it is deserved.
For a couple of years my wife has looked at the LS650 line as a possible replacement for her 1989 GS500e. The 500F was too tall for her. (she is 5' 1").
This summer we happened to come across a silver 2002 Savage with 3900 miles on it for 2000 + her old GS (which was pretty worn out)....so we bought it.
She has been VERY pleased with it. In part because of the mods that were made right off the bat (re-jet/white spacer mod/changed muffler to one of my stock sporty mufflers/intake mod/windshield). These things were MUCH simpler due to some of the advice offered here by many.
Now we are doing the "cosmetics". Saddle bags and supports, Drag bars (she does not like the angle of the buckhorns) new turn signals.
There will be a donation coming the sites way as well.
I am sure that there will be some questions coming in the long run, and maybe even some input that will help folks (I've been riding and wrenching for 30 years, and she has been for 18
Mav