rokrover
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torkenstein
Posts: 147
SoCal
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My wife is to blame! After 40 years of motorcycling I “retired” and took up commuting by bicycle for health and economy, especially since SoCal has the perfect weather for such two-wheel indulgence. No contemporary production motorcycle caught my fancy after growing up on eccentric yet iconic marques like Velocette, Matchless and Ducati that inevitably honed my mechanical skills.
So four years ago I got my wife a Yamaha Zuma scooter as a practical and economical commuter appliance. It taught her how to ride on two wheels and was very reliable and economical. Its disadvantage was lack of power and top speed. Keeping up with traffic on any significant grade was a nerve-wracking experience with the little ring-ding shrieking its heart out.
We first saw a pair of Suzuki LS650’s in the mountains behind Santa Barbara when a touring couple parked their new machines, with suitably blued exhaust headers, at the summit of La Cumbre peak. The bikes confused me at first, appearing like Harleys from a distance, then my memory was jogged as I remembered Suzuki made a big 650 single called the Savage.
So I traded my wife’s little red Zuma up to a black 2006 Suzuki S-40. For a while it was a toss up against the Honda Rebel 250cc but the Suzuki looked better and certainly was more powerful. The dealer had both on the showroom floor and the Suzuki’s purposeful, bold looks were a deciding factor. Besides, I have a soft spot for big 4-stroke thumpers going back to my Velocette days. I remember Panther made a 650cc single for their side-car rig, so the concept had to be sound.
I delivered her bike home after completing the paperwork and was most impressed with the light weight, relaxed handling, smooth engine, lazy, effortless torque and acceleration, clean, quiet and maintenance free belt drive and other nice touches that made for a most compelling ensemble. Needless to say, I ordered mine shortly thereafter. This was the perfect machine to comfort me in my mellow senior years.
Now we have a “his & hers” LS-650 duo in matching black livery. I tweaked mine with the usual mods: a SuperTrapp muffler, K&N air filter for better breathing with slightly richer jetting, a Super Brace to cure front end wobbles and Progressive shocks to round out the suspension upgrade.
My wife loves her Sue-Zook and racks up mileage faster than me on daily commutes. I enjoy hear her returning for supper with the gentle putt-putt-putt stock exhaust, unlike the tractor resonance from my SuperTrapp. I drive less to maintain the health benefit of bicycling. Even so, I never fail to have renewed pleasure from this simple machine that performs with great character unexpected from its basic components. The sum total is a winning combination appreciated by my fellow cognoscenti who exchange useful tips on this enthusiast website.
Of course there are quirks, like the predisposition to loud backfires on deceleration, squeaking front brakes that wear out prematurely between 2-3K, oil leaks from the head plug, rare cases of the counter-balancer punching through the engine case or exhaust valves breaking and, worst of all, rapid cam-chain tensioner failure with potential engine destruction (anywhere from 12K to 20K miles.) Yet it’s smooth, broad power band and effortless acceleration, coupled with light handling and stable manners make riding around town a breeze.
Naturally I do all maintenance myself, although the bike is not as easy to work on as expected. My Ducati 350cc single was much simpler. The Suzuki’s seat and gas tank must be removed for all basic top-end work (spark plug, valves, head bolts, carburetor) and this is a chore owing to the fuel valve jamming under the frame rail. It is best to drain the tank and remove the petc@ck.
Even topping up the battery requires removal of the seat and both side panels. Still, it is a lot simpler than most modern bikes that have become a mechanic’s nightmare. On the plus side there is little to do for routine maintenance. Top up gas (regular is just fine, although I prefer mid grade,) adjust tire pressure and change the engine oil and filter at least twice a year. That’s about it, except perhaps top up the battery and drain the airbox annually.
Today I took a run in the mountains to renew my affection for our bike and reflect upon its enduring personality elevating it above the usual frivolous consumer excess for more, faster and cheaper. Hard times are coming and the LS-650’s substance over style should find renewed appreciation. Peak oil is behind us and the days of Caddy Escalade, cell-phone addicted, air-head trust-fund bimbettes are fading fast. We are proud to express our cultural defiance through the Savages.
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