Hey everyone - its my first post... for a reason - I dont have an S40 yet !
Here is my 'problem'. I have a few people telling me I wont like the S40 , and it will over heat easy... which really scares me.  I am 43, 160 lbs and have not rode in 25 years. I had a Honda CB125 that was my transportation for 2-3 years when I lived in Illinois - I now live in Jacksonville, Florida.  I want to ride up and down the coast, and just where I can - and when I saw and sat on the S40 I fell in love with it - but then everyone is trying to talk me out of it and got me looking hard at the Kawasaki 500 LTD..... because it's liquid cooled - its a twin, etc....

HELP !

I agree with youz, I was out of biking for over 25 years when I got my 2005 s40. Never had an overheating issue. I've put 12,000 miles on it in two full seasons and i'm looking forward to the next 12,000. I'd put on alot more miles if i lived in a warmer climate. I may look for a larger bike in the future but for now this is the perfect bike for me.
AL

There are WAAAY too many happy S-40 owners( I am one) who would disagree. Its light enough so I can be sloppy at a stop sign & NOt wind up doing the powersplits on the way down. My daughter( 21) rides it easy enough, In fact, when I got mine, I was JUSt starting to get out of the house, after months & years of serious illness, to the point of being unable to even drive a car, But I could handle this little bike..And do the maintenance. It Rips away from stopsigns  (& Some Harleys), if it had more power, all it would do is cost more, use more gas & the power would be For What? Any faster away from the light & I'd be getting a ticket. For the $$$, the power, fuel economy, dependability & looks, the fun I have,, I bought it new, cuz I thought I needed a warranty, But naaaah, If I had found this place first, I woulda shopped for used.
IF you get an S-40 & simply dont like the bike, let me know, Okay? I have been so shocked as that in all my life & I want to see if I could even survive it!!

I hope ya get it, & join in with this bunch. VERY smart , some of these folks, very talented, widely diversified bunch. You can hang out here, even If you dont own one, THATS how mean they are..

Buy it, You'll Liiike it. They pull so sweet coming thru a turn, just a throaty roar, not some Crotch Rocket scream, that makes cops ears perk up. I can rip a turn on this that, If I was having as much fun in a car, I would be in legal trouble. This is fun at much lower speeds & Cheap on gas, I get ( just checked it) 47.5 MPG riding the snot out of it. Siome better riding easy,but 47 MPG,, while giggling? Thats too cool..

108'f today in Tucson.  I'm doing 80 miles.  Figure to I'll lose 4 to 6lbs.  The bike will be fine.

Eightwt,  I live in Central Texas.  Its hot here in the summer.  11:12 Am and its 96 right now.  I have put over 2000 miles on my S40 since March 29 and its never stopped on me.  Does it get hot?   Yes, but not as wilted as I get.   Tomorrow I am riding with our BACA group.  This means wearing a leather vest to go to support a child.   We will be in court so we have to have a decent appearance.  To look decent, I will ride in one shirt and have another in my saddle bags for court.   The bike will be fine.  Will I?  I am 69 and weigh 195.

Tuesday, I have a 90 mile round trip will wear mesh as I am going on the highway.  I will wet a T shirt to put under the mesh.  The bike will be fine.  I hope I will.

One thing that is so important in hot weather is to check your tire pressure daily.   I have been losing 3-5 pounds every few days because of the heating - cooling cycle.  I checked the valve cores on both tires and they are fine.  Mechanic said its normal for motorcycle tires to lose this amount of air so check your tires daily.

Having supported the S40 so far in this thread, I am wanting to do some long distance touring so I will be trading in the 40 for a C 50T.  However, the S40 has been a great bike for me.

buy it

Just make sure that your butt and the seat can agree with eachother on those long trips lol
Ok, I haven't rode in 30 years and wanted a bike, I chose the S-40 because of how it felt on me at the Suzuki store..
I've had my 05 S-40 for just over a month now, Longest trip i've been on it was 220 miles on back roads. The bike performed beautifully and flawlessly.
It never came close to acting like it was overheating. The parts dude at Suzuki didn't really recommend the synthetic unless it was a race bike or something like that. For normal driving in the summer to use 20/50 wt. I went with Suzuki OEM 20/50.
The S-40 hauls my 225 pounds around everywhere without thinking twice about it. I love this bike!!!
Mine came with a windscreen and after having it on since day 1 i thought i'd try it without it.. It's quicker without it a little but with it it's a much more enjoyable ride so it's going back on tomorrow..
I have just one concern about it and thats the Interstate @ 70 MPH. It just sounds and feels like i'm working it alot to make it happen and i'm not sure if it's hurting it any to go that fast for 20 or 30 minute runs.. (Anyone ??)
BTW.. We're close in age and lapse in years of riding, So when you get on it the first time, dont treat it like a 125, this bike has torque and will have you saying OHH SH%T if you you crank down on the throttle. Once you get used to the power you're gonna have alot of fun on this bike because i sure do!!! Also you cant beat the price of it, New $4399.!!!

Gotta jump in to.  I ride bumper to bumper in Atlanta heat for up to an hour and a half, 16 miles, and have never had a problem with the bike.  On the other hand I get pretty crispy.