Bear_Rider wrote on 01/02/08 at 18:21:17:... How does the Savage compare to ... the SV650?
... They appear to weigh about the same, and I assume that the SV has more top end than the Savage.
I'm more interested in the controllability, seating posture, suitability for travel (camping), and the learning curve moving up from a 250 Rebel.
Last first: the change from a Rebel to a Savage is near nothing -- same basic size, position, etc..
The Savage is a "cruiser" with the "rocking chair" seating position you are used to from the Rebel. The SV has you sitting much higher, with a forward lean that puts part of your upper body weight on your wrists/hands, knees bent to place your feet under you. A position I find very uncomfortable, especially the knees, YMMV. If you're young you might be able to get use to it.
In my humble opinion, NOTHING is more important than being comfortable on the bike. Everything else can be made to work. The "controlability" of the motorcycle depends greatly on how you and the bike fit together. If the fit is perfect you will have greater control than on a "better" bike that does not fit you.
For travel/camping:
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1177262289 --
http://paladin.savageriders.com/LA-OKC/RestStop-Flagstaff.jpg -- I have a pair of 18-quart hard bags, the 21"x 14.5"x 7.5" Airline-Carry-On suitcase, and a roll on the pillion with the camping gear. I'm planning on building a trailer hitch (3/16" x 1.5" x 18" steel bars mounted between the saddlebags and the side rails, sockets to take the dropdown/back hitch) and a trailer (using Savage front wheels!). Seeing what people haul in sidecar configuration I see no problem with hauling 300 pounds of gear on a 100 pound trailer. Ya know how comfy you can be camping with a 300 pound payload!
The Savage, with very little effort, cruises at 85. Going to OKC I ran 65-70 very comfortably.