I've put in quite a few miles on both a Savage and on a Vulcan 500 (my son is currently commuting on the Vulcan - I sold the Savage).  

Either MC is a good starter MC (cruiser). Can you do multiple 1000+ trips on either? Sure but they probably aren't the best choice for those kind of trips, but any of the big touring or sport touring MCs are not good choices for a first MC - really they're not good choices for first MC's - did I say that the big tourers and sport MC's are not good choices for first MC's?

As others have pointed out, the backfiring is a non-issue with proper tuning. I tuned it out with stock components.

Here's my take on a heads up comparison. Remember these are my opinions - for fit, I'm 5'8" and 200 #s, I do all my own maintenance.

Easiest maintenance - Savage hands down.
Initial cost - Savage
Best gas mileage - Vulcan by a bunch - it often gets over 70 mpg when I'm riding always over 60 - my wife and son claim to get better, but I don't have an overall average. I got ~52 mpg average on the Savage.
Best cold weather starting - Savage
Best highway - Vulcan
Confort - Vulcan
Fit and Finish - Vulcan
Best look - I'd say the Savage got the most attention from knowledgable riders - never heard anything negative said about either.
Best web presence - Savage (don't discount this it really helps when something goes wrong or maybe isn't perfect)

For a starter MC I don't think you'd go wrong with either.

If you have any specific questions about either, throw them up and I'll try to answer them.

By the way, the main reasons I (we) still have the Vulcan and not the Savage is that the Vulcan was voted more comfortable by my wife and sons and the gas mileage. The Savage would have been my first choice to keep, but I don't have room for three MC's. There are trips when I'm only going a couple of miles that I wouldn't mind having the Savage back (I almost never get to ride the Vulcan anymore).

Well I'm in the same boat as you on that one.  I am FAR from a mechanic.  I'm a computer programmer and systems analyst.  That's the only thing in this world that I'm any good at.    I bought my S40 new (and I LOVE IT don't get me wrong), but I wish I'd bought a good used one.  I've laid it down twice and scractched it several times due to rookie mistakes--only been riding a year.  Spent $$ replacing what I've screwed up that I wouldn't worry about if it had been used.

I bought the service manual and found this wonderful site a couple of months ago.  Since then I've been doing my own work and it's not NEARLY as hard as I thought it would be.  The people on here are very knowledge and willing to help.  I'd have to say it's the best Web support of any motorcycle.  Do not underestimate the importance of that.

Note:  I've come soooo far in riding in just a year because of the S40.  It has gotten me out of situations that I'm sure would have been terrible accidents--if not fatal--on a bigger, heavier bike.  It is unbelievable how well it maneuvers for a newbie.  I have no doubt that the Savage was the best choice I could have made for a first bike.

Roshlio, you said you don't know much about bikes, repairs, and maintenance.  If you can hold a wrench, you can find all kinds of people on this site to tell you which way to turn it.  So far, I haven't had to do anything that you couldn't accomplish with a $20 wrench set from Walmart, a screwdriver, and a $10 spark plug wrench.

I bought a used 1987 Savage.  A new one would have been shinier, but I think that is the only real advantage.  If it's worn out or broken, it can be fixed, and chances are with this bike YOU can fix it.  If you can't, then the $3500 you save buying an older bike will pay for a lot of repairs.

I'm certainly no expert in the field, and can't compare it to other bikes, but I am LOVING my old thumper.  I don't regret for one second buying the used bike.

On the highway issue:  My bike will cruise at 70 mph, no sweat.  I haven't tried it on the freeway, and probably won't.  There is nowhere I want to go that is hooked to a freeway.  

I really dont understand the problem some have talked about with expressway's!

Not that I would like riding on them as a new rider or need to ride on them that much,but....

I know women who ride on the expressways on a Savage and a smaller bike(Virago 535) and they never mention having any problems

One of them drove my bike home on the expressway and it didnt even have a windshield at the time! She did mention it would have been nice to have a windshield on it,but no big problem.

The one with the Savage has had it for 10 yrs. The other lady has only been riding for a year.But she is a very good rider.

I thought it was pretty gutsy to jump on a unfamiliar bike and take off on the expressway on it.Right?

But I think riding for the first time is just something you have to get used to.....and I wouldnt have wanted to start out on a bike too big for me.....it would have just been more intimidating

You can always learn to work on them...trade up ,etc. No big deal. You gotta start somewhere

BTW-The Lady that rode the Virago 535 did trade up recently for a Intruder 800 and loves it.

If I can add 2 cents worth... buy what feels comfortable and safe to you.  I've recommend the savage to all my friends.  It's a great bike.  But some people want a different look, different brand, different whatever.  But don't buy BIG just because 1) every one else does or 2) you have an ego problem.  The chances are high of having an accident in your first few years, especially if your riding something too big for you to control.  Stay in the 800 or less range.  And make sure you can handle the size of the bike.  Push it around...do you feel like you're going to drop it?  Then it's too big.  Get something you can handle...grown into it...enjoy it...then think about getting something bigger when/if your experienced with riding.  

DON'T LET THE DEALER SELL YOU A BIG BIKE.  He doesn't care if you can or can't handle it.  He only cares if you can pay for it.  (Most of them anyway).  I was in a dealership a few years back looking for a bike when the salesman told me he wouldn't recommend anything less than an 1100 (Honda or Yamaha).  Said I wouldn't be happy with a lesser bike.  Well, he was wrong.  I'm happy with my Savage.

I did just buy a bigger bike this week, a Honda Shadow 1100 ACE.  FREAKIN' BIG BIKE for only an 1100.  600 lb thing (that's 250lbs more than my savage) that I keep hoping I don't drop every time I push it in or out of the garage.  Taking it through the curves or driving on the street still makes me nervous.  My Savage is a sweet bike compared to it.  And you know what... the Savage runs just as good on the freeway after doing the chain conversion.

All the bikes mentioned can easily run the freeway.  It's just a question of how fast and how far.  There is no perfect bike...they all have their own personality.  And the savage is one of the best running, easy to maintain, easy to modify, easy to ride bike I've had the pleasure of sitting on.  I love my new Honda 1100, but it's a beast.  The savage is, well a savage, and I'll never part with it.  It's just too fun to jump on and run through the hills...or to work on and change around when I'm bored with it.

For what it's worth....

I'd just like to reiterate, MOST motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. Guess where there aren't any intersections? The freeway. Its hard to get anywhere over 5 miles away in LA without taking it, so most (80%) of my savage riding is on the freeway and I've had no problems that a windshield, a comfy seat, and maybe some highway pegs wouldn't solve.

Riding 500-mile days is a different beast altogether though. The savage can handle it. The real question is can you?

As for what to buy and what not to, buy used and buy small. There are so many things you can do really wrong in your first couple weeks riding (laying down, horribly disobeying break-in rules, stalling over and over, etc.) that arent such a big deal with an older bike. And you just gotta start small. Riders are trained, not born.

My first bike was a RD 125 LC it weighed 212lbs dry and did 99mph down hill with the wind behind, never could crack the "ton"

Clive W  

TexasPhotographer, try the seat mod in the Technical Documents.  Only costs a few bucks (literally) and about 5 minutes of your time ... makes a world of difference!  I believe it was the angle of the seat that was the problem, not the seat itself.  Still wanting a gel seat and/or a bigger one, but this is a 100% improvement.  I have a V-Star Classic and I will take the Savage any day over the V.