I think the idle speed is to low.

try running it on "PRI" instead of "ON" just
to see if that makes a difference, if so, then
you have a vacuum leak on ur carb. EZ fix,
just type "vacuum" in search box.

C'ya

Yes, just replace your vacuum line first, but when you take the old one off, check to see if there is any fuel in it, if there is, then your petcock is bad, if not, then it is more than likely just the line is bad.

Thank you.

The bike is from 2002 with about 30,000 miles on it. I just bought it 2 days ago and I believe everything is stock.

To be clear, the vacuum line is the tube that goes from Fuel switch to petcock to the carb, right?

Thanks again for your help

^{To be clear, the vacuum line is the tube that goes from Fuel switch to petcock to the carb, right?} Yes.

Well first of all CONGRATULATIONS!!!  (...wise choice)

Second, 30k miles is almost 50,000km, not a problem,
but this changes things.


- your carburator could be dirty inside
soon you must remove and open it with a friend that knows
motorcycles and clean it well and see if all jets are free


- Your spark plug could be old
it costs $3dlls and it's easy to change BUT you must
remove the gas tank first, get a friend to help you
the first time; but you MUST learn to remove gas tank.
You need a: NKG DP8EA-9 aka: ND X24EP-U9


- The first thing I do when I buy a used motorcycle is
a FULL service and check-up: Fresh oil, fresh filters, fresh spark plug, carb wash,
adjust valves, check all electric and breaks, etc.  It's best to do this.  


- Ask previous owner about the TIMING CHAIN
at almost 50k km the timing chain must be replaced soon,
BUT i think somebody allready did this for you  


Battery old?
Many Savages run bad because of an old battery.


- Spark plug cap
If the spark plug cap that comes from the coil is the original,
I would replace it too ($5dlls), because heat and time damages it.



Good luck again and we will help you with everything, no worries!

  Run some Sea Foam in your gas it just might fix your problem,Wal Mart and Ace hardware have it here.

I had no problem yesterday but the bike stalled on me AGAIN today while driving. That was kind of a dangerous situation too...

I was in 3rd and all the sudden I could feel the bike didn't respond to the throttle. It felt like that bike was needing gas but it didn't get any.

I started it again and it ran for half mile and stalled again. This time, I put the fuel valve on PRI and it finally was able to take me home without stalling.

I looked at the vacuum hose and it looks very good. I mean, it's clean and there doesn't seem to be any damage or leak.

Tomorrow, I'm going to go to the shop and buy:
- a new air filter,
- oil filter,
- oil,
- vacuum hose (any specific size needed?)
- a can of Seafoam

You're right, I should learn to fix remove the tank.

Is the Clymer book a good investment?

Thank you guys.