I'm sure Savage is at least slightly cheaper to run than V*. Passenger ergonomics is a problem. We had to add another bike for two up riding.
What about GS500? Those things have been around since 1989, use less fuel than a Savage and also have a bit more space for two adults.

Josh -

For what it's worth, I ride in central Ohio.  Fairly flat country, a few very slight hills is all.

Riding in the country, and in the suburban traffic to work and home, I average right at 55 mpg.

I'm 61 years old, and drive like it.  I seldom go to anywhere near full throttle going up thru the gears, and cruise on 2 lane roads between 50 and 55 mph.

Mine is a 2006 S40.  I do have an OEM windshield, which I presume helps the mileage a small amount.

Leave your bike stock if you wish.  The backfiring is no big deal, and can be almost totally eliminated if, as you decelerate, you just back off the throttle slowly, and not quite all of the way.  It's sudden closure of the throttle that causes the most backfiring.

I know nothing about the V Star, so I can't comment.

Just came back from a 30 mile ride up the coast with my gf. One the way back we picked up Indian food including rice and nan bread which gf held between us for about 8 miles back to the house.

I'll admit that in stop & go traffic, the Savage is not quick off the line riding 2-up but once on the highway it's fine for me, and not one complaint from her. She rarely complains about anything though, I think she's just happy riding. She said that the sissy bar and backpad help a lot. We'll have to see if she feels the same way when we head out by Imlaystown and the surrounding areas in a few weeks. We'll be riding for most of the day.

I sat on a V-star 650 the week before I bought this bike when I was looking around. It seems like a very comfortable machine for highway riding. Most of my riding is off highway, and the Savage is sweet in those conditions.

skrapiron -FSO wrote on 06/30/08 at 12:57:12:


I was thinking the same thing.  I hear the Honda Helix scooter gets 60-65 MPG running flat out and 2 up.  The smaller the engine, the better your gas mileage.  You just loose HP for the quick takeoffs.

I'll try not to over analyze this too much. I doubt fuel milage difference between the two bikes will be that substantial. It will probably depend more on the rider's acceleration habits than mfg's fuel milage claims.

I'm willing to wager if you get a group of biker's together of any paticular brand today, at some point carburation will enter into the discussion. Just about everything being built is running leaner than it should (matter of opinion) due to EPA mfg. compliance issues.

Bottom line is you need to set on both bikes while asking how much lighter your wallet will be should you choose to leave with that bike and then decide what's more important to you... the difference in money or comfort.

Have you gotton insurance quotes on either bike yet?

Why not get the stock bike and go with a sportster seat?  I haven't done it myself (so I don't know if there is any serious modding necessary) but everybody on the site that has says it's a heck of a lot more comfortable.

My two bits:
j wrote on 06/30/08 at 09:31:01:
It's a FUN bike for that, not many can match the Savage on the city streets.
j wrote on 06/30/08 at 09:31:01:
We've had at least one poster who's mate did not mind long pillion rides on the Savage.  The general consensus is that it's not comfortable.  Your wife will have to make this call, 'tho as someone mentioned, the Sportster saddle provides a better rear seat.  The weight is nothing.  Extra weight affects acceleration, but top speed is mostly a factor of wind resistance, and a passenger doesn't add to that.
j wrote on 06/30/08 at 09:31:01:
A 400 mile day on the Savage is not at all unreasonable -- going LA to OKC I did over 500 miles each of the first two days.  200 miles is a piece of cake.  Had a buddy visit San Diego so I met him for lunch, it was only 115 miles one way.

Savage will handle the interstate at 65-70 no problem -- for the bike.  Some people complain about the vibration as speed increases, for me it is not objectionable 'til I hit about 80.  10 miles at 80 is only 8 minutes -- you can put up with a lot for a mere 8 minutes.
j wrote on 06/30/08 at 09:31:01:
I can't comment on the fuel efficiency of the V*, but my trip to OKC was a bit under 60 mpg going out on the Superslab, and over 60 mpg coming home in US60 with 70 mpg crossing the Mojave on CA62.  (City I get under 50 mpg, but have LOTSA fun doing it.)

I believe Progressive Insurance will give you an on-line quote, so you can plug in the two bikes and see if they each will cost.

If you go with the V* it would be for highway comfort, particularly two-up, so you'ld be wanting the heavier seatier Classic rather than the sporty Custom.  About 190 pounds heavier, 5+ inches more between the wheels.  If the pillion on the Savage is uncomfortable you might not have much of a choice.  This sounds like the wife's call once she checks out the seating position on each bike.

Well as far as speed i think the savage is better than the v-star  my best friend has one and he has trouble keeping up with my savage . As far as being comfortable i would go with a 900 vulcan i am getting ready to move up to that bike myself i love my savage but i have outgrown it for the price i would get that or the suzuki c50 both great bikes and still not bad on gas verses a 1300 or something like that the honda shadow is nice but is too pricey for only being a 750 and it's size isn't all that big pretty much for a couple hundred bucks or more less  you can get an 800 or 900 cc bike with lots more room and very comfy for 2 riders . That's just my opinion i would do what others say go around and sit on different bikes you and your wife both and see what feels the best to you aswell as what fits best for your wallet . Good luck and let us know what you end up with .