The lifespan of the engine is eitirely a function of the maintenance attention paid to it.

Buy a 20 year old Savage that hasn't had an oil change since the Regan administration and yes, you may develop engine problems on a bike with realtively low mileage.

On the other hand, if you keep up with your oil changes, periodic adjustments and don't ride the crap out of it, it will last darn near forever.  It is a mechanical engine and things will wear.  Don't worry about the banter about the cam chain.  Yes, it tends to stretch on the Savage.  But every other bike on the market that had an OHC engine has to worry about 2 cam chains.  While they may have longer service intervals than the Savage, it costs twice as much to fix when the time comes.

I've put just over 10k on mine since July.  One member (Beatduck) rode his clear across Canada last summer.  The bike is plenty powerful enough as a daily rider and is just as home as a solo touring bike.

Arthur wrote on 01/17/08 at 20:09:34:

Must have had plenty of oil leaking thru to run, until the tranny ran dry.

They don't make bikes like that anymore

I have a tendency to buy things for the long haul.  Another thing to look at, if that's your intent also, is parts availablity.  

There are only a few world-wide brand bikes that haven't changed much in 22 years.    
 
For the LS650, yea, there are people here that had problems, but there are more that haven't.  I know several Harley riders that have problems with their bikes and they harp that I need a Harley for reliabilty...Ha!