The only real difference between the Savage and the S40 is the name. Except the 80s models which have 4 speed gear boxes while later models have 5 speeds.

Doesnt the S40 not have a sissy seat? i keep seeing them without 'em

well here is what i saw the differences were when was shopping for the two for my wife.

savage has a two piece seat.
s40 has a one piece seat.

savage has a different pattern on the seat. they have a smooth seat & have lines going across it (although i did see some 2003's that have a rough top).
s40 has a rough like top on the seat. (i don't really know how to describe it, other than saying "rough top")

savage doesn't have a handlebar riser just like a handlebar clamp & has buckhorn bars.
s40 has about a 5 inch handlebar riser & a t bar.

savage has different fender rails which the sissy bar goes into and a sissy bar.
s40 has different fender rails and no sissy bar.

savage has a savage sticker on the tank.
s40 has the boulevard emblems on the tank & s40 emblems on the side covers.

and i noticed that the s40 has these little black tabs on the front forks. i don't really know what they are...

other than that i don't think there is much of a difference.

The following were all plucked off of this forum at one time or another.

1.      The plug leak was fixed in 2002.
2.      The 2005 had a few styling changes & some like the seat better but some don't like the drag bars as much as the pullbacks on earlier models.
3.      The 2005 or later have the latest changes like auto shutoff of the headlight during starting. On the left side there is a switch that you push to flick the high beam on to let a cager know you are there.
4.      The 2005-07 still have the 5 speed but different gearing so you have lot more acceleration, but less top end for highway cruising
5.      On the 2006+ the Gel-Seat is an option and not stock.
6.      Been told that they improved the counter balance to reduce vibration.
7.      1991 Introduction of 5 speed gearbox. 1996 Beefed up starter gears with limiter
9.      If at some time in the future you might be considering aftermarket shocks know this:  The shock posts on the frames of the Savage are a different size (diameter) than those on the S40. The Savage has smaller shock posts and lower bolt mounts. On some aftermarket shocks, i.e. the Hagon, the bushings for the Savage are lined with a steel sleeve, however the S40 Hagon bushings are just rubber and have no sleeve.  This is due to the wider (in diameter) shock mounts on the S40 (even though the stock S40 shock bushings are sleeved they are too big to transfer to the Hagons).  

Mr. Hyde wrote on 03/17/09 at 07:18:51:

Interesting  
I checked a couple of vendors, one had the same p/n for all years for the lower shock mount bolt.  Another had a different p/n only for 2009.
Personally, I think it's illogical.

That's a starter limiter, you want to limit that? don't use it.

MeeLee wrote on 01/28/16 at 23:34:12:


Piston, head, cylinder, valves, cams, etc.....no changes. The early rockers were made one piece.....somewhere around 2005 the rockers got a hardened wear surface applied.  Some changes in color from silver to black.