Well, a couple of weeks ago, I received and installed Lancer's performance air filter, for sale through the savage store online.  (Support the Cause!  Buy from you friends!)  I was expecting the normal changes, like more power, which I definitely got, but had a couple of surprises as well. I keep pretty good tabs on my gas mileage, and WAS running between 44 and 47 mpg.  With the new air filter, 50 to 53 mpg.  Thats a pretty big jump!  Before the air filter, 65mph @ 4500 rpms, 70mph @ 4700 rmps (more or less).  After the filter, 65mph @ 4300, and 70 @ 4500.  Got to say, I'm happy with the new filter!

Don't know what to tell you.  I cruise right at 65 mph to and from work, for a grand total of just under 50 miles, every day.  I'm always right at 4500 rpms.  It's kinda nice becuase I don't have to look all the way down at my speedo, just look  at the tach.  But now, 65 mph is at 4300.  Maybe 4350.  Definitely under 4500.

That still doesn't explain the changed tach reading. I can think of only two things to account for that, one is a slipping clutch, and the other is being a different gear.

If you changed you oil to a thicker oil at the same time as you changed the air intake, that could account for it. If the clutch was slipping a little before, you would have had higher RPMS for the same speed.
I hear that some of the modern "energy saving" oils can do this also.

Eanon,  are you using the factory speedo????

I been trying to think of things that might change the RPM to MPH numbers.   Many simple ones came to mind, like tire air pressure, but that gets ruled out because the factory speedo  takes the reading at the tranny and not the tire.  Air temp that might affect tire air pressure is then also ruled out.  BUT.... if you are not using the factory gauge, tire press could explain it.  

Now,  if you are using the factory speedo, there is still a explaination.  
Our bike has to use an electronic tach. The Analog (dial) tachs that tie into the ign coil are sensitive to resistance.  That means a bad connection can change the reading.  Corrosion or a loose wire can raise the reading.   Bumping it to make a better connection could also lower it.   On the small digital tachs, many use inductive pick-up (wrap wire around sparkplug wire).  If that wire was bumped and the coils were tighter or looser, that can affect the reading , but only a tiny bit...      Replacing the filter, did you remove the seat and tank?   Or have you done that lately???  If a wire got bumped........  

Just a thought.....

verslagen1 wrote on 09/24/08 at 17:35:09:

Nice crack at the DMV...don't forget the legal records at the police station/courthouse..."I didn't know I had a warrant...".

eanon wrote on 09/25/08 at 14:19:22:


OR..... you now have a better connection......  

 I had a bad connection on my last tach and got higher readings.  Found out it was from the way I routed the wire and removing the tank too many times.

All jet-kit sellers are aliens

What is the gear ratio for the top gear on the 4 speed and 5 speed transmission?  I've searched and I can't find it. Also, has anyone calculated what the rpms should be for a Savage at various speeds and gears assuming stock tires and proper tire inflation?

I'm curious how accurate my tach is. It is very repeatable but I am not sure if it is accurate for a 5-speed.