Hi, I just bought a new s40 today.  A new 06 anyway.  I got a good deal too.  I really wanted a bigger bike but it just wasn't in my budget.

Anyway... Do u guys have any advice for a new savage owner?  Breakin, Maintenance schedule, etc...  Anything I may need to know but probably don't.

I've heard about the carb mod, but when do u suggest doing this.

Thanks a lot,

Joe

Ride the bike till you feel it could use more power then do the carb mods. The 600 mile service is needed for the warrenty but it seems that a lot of riders have had problems with the valve lash and oil level after the first service. The oil level should be in the middle of the sight glass with the bike sitting level, place a 2x4 under the kick stand to get close to level. If you have the 600 mile service done at the dealer make sure the bike has oil in it and runs right before taking it off the lot. There are a lot of monkeys with hammers out there who say they are mechanics and you need to watch out for them. Break in the bike by running it like you will drive it, just don't baby it or hold it at one RPM for too long. The key to breaking in the rings is to run the engine up and down the RPM range as you ride. Just my .02 cents on it

New to motorcycles for the most part.  I've ridden before but never owned one.

And I will be doing my own maintenance.  I've learned from automotive service centers; that if you want it done right (or done at all) do it yourself.

joeh100 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:

Hi.  Welcome.  

We can't sum it all up in one topic for every new bike.  And we can't make suggestions without knowing the need for it anyway.

Just read all the topics, do searches for anything you need to know and go buy a service manual before you pick up a wrench...

Hope you enjoy your new "Savage40".  Ride safe.

I'd recommend changing the oil before 600 miles on the first one and DON'T take it to the dealer.  It think the PO allowed the dealer to create an oil-leak at the 600 mile service.  If you want it done right, best do it yourself.

For break-in, I like to let the parts wear together more slowly than factory recommendations, which means the first few oil changes should be fairly quick.  300-400 for the first one, and at no more than 1000 on the odometer for the second one.  Also, if you install a magnet somewhere (see multiple posts) it will minimize bearing scarring during break-in.

Also, I use full synthetic in all my IC engines EXCEPT for the break-in period...

If You want that header to stay pretty chrome instead of blue-ing, yank that white spacer of the needle. Stock this bike runs WAY TOO LEAN. You can do this without taking the carb off the engine. When taking the tank off do NOT loose the little seal on the speedo cable where it attaches to the engine. Drill a tiny hole in the idle mixture plug (ON RIGHT OF CARB), insert small screw and yank it out. Adjust idle mixture with a hot engine to where you get the highest idle. Then adjust idle with knob on left side of carb. Voila, hardly any more popping, and sice the exhaust runs much cooler, no blue-ing of the header pipe. Change oil & filter at 400 and 1000. Torque head bolts per manual (600,4000 etc)Torque exhaust flange at oil changes. These seem to get loose till after a couple of thosand miles. If you want to run synthetics wait till 2000 miles so rings get time to seat.

Welcome and have fun.  You picked a nimble, easy to maintain, and forgiving bike.

Welcome.

I suggest getting at least 1000 miles under your seat before you decide to do any modifications. As far as what works for me for break-in, I tend not to "ride it like I stole it" but other than that I make sure that I don't "drone" along at a constant load/rpm for any distance at all (more than a couple of minutes), I change gears, speed, use engine braking, etc. I do this for about the first 500 - 1000 miles. This has worked well for me in the past with new engines.  Follow the maintenance schedule and do your own. Get at least the clymers manual. Read the forum. Go back in history. Things tend to go around in cycles. Chances are pretty good that if you have something go wrong, it's happened to someone else and been discussed here.