I can't speak specifically to the savage but most engines will "smoke" at start up for a little bit.  This is usually not actually smoke but water vapor (steam) due to an exhaust system that is not fully up to temp so you see the "white" of the cloud.  it goes away as the engine and exhaust and come up to temp.  The other item that causes true smoke at start up is when a valve guide seal leaks slightly allowing a small amount of oil into the combustion chamber and then burns at start up causing a true white or blue smoke.  If a little of this real smoke happens only at start up I wouldn't be too alarmed.  If it happens all the time or consistantly on deceleration (slaming the throttle shut kind of thing) then I would watch you oil level.  Once it gets to the point you have to consistantly add oil on a regular basis you might want to look at replacing a valve seal or two.
This mode of leak was very apparent once while watching a Harley 883 road race.  They would slam the thottles shut coming into the corners and create such an intake vacuum that it would suck oil past the valve seals and smoke like crazy.  as soon as they got back on the gas and relieved the vacuum the smoking went away.

good luck

In cold temperstures, the phenomenon you described is ALMOST ALWAYS true in any engine. Look at the exhaust on a car when it has been started up in cold temperatures and you will see what looks like smoke; wait a minute and it will go away. This is perfectly normal.

EDIT: nevermind, we posted at the same time...by the way in 60 degree weather, water vapor most likely will not form...you nay have a problem...

In order to get a really good ring seat during the "break in " period you should roll on the throttle and accelerate strongly for a few seconds and then let off to cruise normally, doing this occasionally as you ride.  The higher pressures created during the harder acceleration forces the rings out against the cylinder wall and enables the rings to seat properly.  If all of the riding during the breakin period is slow and easy then the rings will not seat as well.

Like Lancer said, You got to rev it in the lower gears 1 thru 4th. For example; Accelerate brisk in 4th to 75mph than back off. Do not get too low in the RPM like below 40mph in 4th. Since you got 700 miles on it I would just ride it aggressive for a while. No need to baby it anymore. Do NOT use synthetics during this break-in period (too slick).When we brake in aircraft engines (aircooled) we run them at 75-80% powersettings at lower altitude (more HP) till the oil consumption goes down noticeable and this can take up to 25 hours. My '07 now has 4300 miles and oil consumption it negligible.

I tried it again this morning.  It was prob about 45 degs.  It didn't smoke nearly as much but still a little.

I did notice some water coming out of the exhaust, so maybe that was my problem.  Maybe I need to run a dehumidifier in my building?

I will try the glass test tomorrow morning.  I think that is a great tip.

My brother has an identical bike, and I got him to start his up yesterday morning.  No smoke at all.

I started mine and had smoke.  Ok, I was really worried then, but I tried the "glass tip."  It is definately water.  No oil film at all, but lots of water.

I store my bike indoors and he stores his on a carport.  Can that make the difference?

Anyway, I guess I was being paranoid, but now I am definately relieved.
Thanks for the tip T-Mack1, it worked great.

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


Your welcome.    8)

I know my '01 has the water vapor at 50 deg's F.  Never really thought about it other than thinking " gawd it's going to be a cold ride" when looking at it.

The bike gets stored in a insulated but unheated garage (unless you count the heat from engine blocks from a V-6 car & a L-5 pick-up).