So looking to buy my first bike, the dealer near me has a 2006 S40, only 290 miles, wanting $3900 for it. Figure I can get it for a little less I'm sure. But anyways, I've done a lot of researching, as I have a few other options as well, plus there's always the choice to just hold off, wait a little longer for something else to come up. But there's something about this bike that just has me really coming back to it everytime. Red, just a good looking bike. Love the weight. I'm 5'10, 180 pounds, but again it's my first bike, so I really just don't think I'd feel all that comfortable on some of the heavier bikes I've sat on.

Anyways, for the questions. How's it on the interstate? Other than a few minutes up the highway to and from downtown, it'll be mostly city riding. Though I one of the main reasons for getting a bike is the 2 hour trip back home from where I'm at for college. 2 hours north, or 2 hours west to family either way, but 2 hours on the interstate nonetheless. How's the bike do? I mean, I don't want to get out there and absolutely can't top 70 and get plowed over, lol.

Then there's the lack of an aftermarket for the bike...I'm reading that the sportster seats fit best, but do any of them really fit well without leaving that massive space between the seat and the frame? Ugh. lol.

Really leaning towards this bike though, love the simplicity of the look and the extremely light weight.

Yep you'll love the bike and yep you'll REALLY love the zoom after rejetting. Yep it's easy.
I don't like going over 80, bike will go faster but I keep it 70 to 75 no problem.
Yep my sportster seat is WAY better than stock, I recessed the pan so it would sit down on frame---- no ugly gap.
Seviersavage

Great bike for a beginner...Good "bones" to make it whatever you want.  Happiest at 50 to 60mph but will run forever at 75mph if you ask her.  90mph tops.
There is a seat tilt mod in the tech section that does wonders for comfort.  I've been riding for 35 years, and it's my favorite toy so far.
Here's a pic of my modded baby....cost about $250.00 to make all mods...best wishes...

stoopidsteve87 wrote on 11/10/08 at 19:41:23:

The only other bike I've run on the Interstate was an early '80's GS450E with a Vetter Quicksilver fairing.  Ran 80-85 mph up the I-5 from L.A. to San Francisco.  Intense buzzing, had to stop hourly for a cigarette break and to allow my hands to de-numb.

Last year I left L.A. about 7am and ran 570 miles to Holbrook AZ.  Day 2 was 510 miles more into Amarillo TX.  Speeds were mostly 65-70, same as most of the traffic.  Vibration was more tolerable than the 450 twin.  The 650 will not be burning the interstates at 85-90, but neither will it be chased down by the big rigs.

IMHO the big single is the kick-butt city bike -- but it also will do a good imitation of a canyon carver or a superslab tourer.

If you take to the roads less traveled, cut your speed to circa 55, you can see 70+ mpg.

Where you at stupid? (sorry couldn't resist)
you must be in the southern parts to have any kind of riding weather but it's still cold.  That's something to remember as no ones buying now unless they can pick and choose when and where they want to ride.  Use that as a playing card.

KBB has the '06 at 3030, an '07 at 3300 and '08 at 3440

For the low mileage, I'd might go 3300, but go inthere with ads that say a lot less, offer what you feel like (for me it'd be 3000) and walk.

And buyer beware, most likely, he took this as a trade-in, did absolutely nothing to it.  don't expect him too, it got too few miles for it to need anything.  But's that another factor, he didn't put any money into it.  He's likely to come down and make something on it.

remember, he didn't spend a dime on it, no accessories so no adds, it's gonna sit all winter, and be oggling the big boys (oooh, I want one of those, just like all my buddies, but everyone says do this for awhile) so he'll think you'll be back to upgrade soon.

another thing to remember, this is your 1st bike, you are going to drop it.  it can be on the street, parking lot or driveway.  expect it, have the hankies ready.  by drop I mean a low speed spill that eats up a footpeg, scrapes this or that and not much more.  We've all done it, forgot the sidestand, hit some leaves/gravel/sand, fell over doing doughnuts in the neighbors yard...    The point is, this is your learnin' bike, expect the worst and it'll be ok.  Ignore it and it'll be a big ol' monster.  In other words, your bike ain't gonna be the polished beauty next year, so why not buy a scratch and dent special and put put a few more on it, then get a pristine one next year?

verslagen1 wrote on 11/10/08 at 22:01:09:

Versy, you're wicked....

BTW- I ride regularly with a 650 V-Star,...very similar performance.  I got the launch,...he'll slowly catch up in a mile or two...maybe 4mph difference top end.  
Mines better...'Cause it's mine...
Ohh,..and I get nearly 10mpg better..."Ka-Ching!"
No brag just fact....      Maybe some brag....

If it's your first bike don't get it with the view of pulling it apart and puting bits on and taking bits off and bombing along at 80 90 miles an hour. Get it, and wobble about on it for a while, get the feel of it, find some quite area where there's no spectators around to make you feel like a numpty while you practice as many slow maneuvers as you can think of, one hell of a lot of clatters are at low speed. Practice AWARENESS, AWARENESS, Not direct in front. Read ahead and to both sides and behind, and always remember that you and your bike will always end up second best in any kind of furoro with four wheels. And dont't be looking at your reflection in shop windows to see how cool you are because you will hit the cage in front of you. Keep at it untill you start to feel as if the bike is part of yourself, then you might find, Hell! I like it Just! the way it is

mornhm - FSO wrote on 11/11/08 at 05:14:31:


I somewhat agree with this. Have you ever noticed while, understandably, no one ever makes anything else than first class professional level modifications, plenty of people in Savage forums from US to Germany to Holland to Sweden have bought a Savage that is barely running and has all kinds of mechanical bodges?