Keith_T wrote on 02/27/08 at 20:23:15:...I previously had a Virago 1100. With forward controls and a Corbin seat the bike was very comfortable to me. I'm thinking I'll be able to get the Savage to a similar level comfort level...
If it is comfortable stock, you can make it even more comfortable.
If you have to work to make it comfortable you will probably not be able to match the above's 'even more comfortable.'
'Way back when I was looking for a hunting rifle. Stopped by the store at the end of the street and told the guy what I was looking for. He handed me a Browning BAR. Looking at a spot on the wall I shouldered the rifle and the spot was dead center in the scope; no fumbling, no adjusting, no nothing -- it was there, a perfect fit. So I bought it.
Looking for a bike I sat on a few, the Rebel poked me, another's tank was too wide for my knees, stumbled onto a Savage, sat on it, oh my gawd I'm home. Zero accomodation required. So I bought one.
Without that perfect fit, when you need to do something there is just a little bit of adjusting to be done. With the rifle a poor fit means the deer might not die. With the bike a poor fit means you might die.
For me, having that perfect fit takes priority over everything else.
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Also depends on how you plan on riding. Me? I'm a city boy. The Savage is the stoplight king. Putting across the Mojave under the Full Moon -- perfect. 2700 mile/10 day tour -- the bike handled it fine but days 11 & 12 I couldn't even think about touching the Savage.