Hi, my wife is considering purchasing her first bike and the choice is narrowed down to either the Savage or the 250cc Yamaha V-Star (formerly known as Virago). I have a few question please:

- what are the major differences between Savage and S40? We seen both (in different shops) - looks like the handlebars are shaped differently. Or may be one of them had an aftermarket one. Anything else?

- anyone who has a Savage previously owned or at least ridden a Virago? I would expect Savage to have less maintanance (fewer cylinders, fewer valves, no chain) - am I correct? I would also expect it to be better more powerful when going into the wind of uphill - right? I noticed that top speed is the same for both - around 85mhp. Any other pro's and con's of these two bikes?

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and respond!
Yan

1964-1987, retread in 2004.  Rode small bikes, 12+ years in Los Angeles in a 1974 DT175, took a GS450E in Los Angeles - Seatle.

As a retread I was still wanting a dual-sport.  But new technology did not allow nose bleed seats.  Looked at cruisers with that low seat.  I knew what I needed, a 250 for city riding and occasional freeway.  Looked at the Rebel (side cases hit my thighs) and was looking at the Suzuki's little single versus the Yamaha's little V-Twin.  Do like the V-Twin, but do like the singles that I looked in the dirt.  Both about 300 pounds, both good enough power, easy riding, hard to choose.

Then I saw a Savage.  Hmmmm.....  Physically the same size, small and easy ride.  Only a 50 pound handicap in the weight.  Found that is was a fit physical, bought one.  It had the easy 250cc city ride I wanted, but where it was strain at 70-75 in Los Angles I was capable on keeping up with 80+ mph in Los Angeles traffic.

The Savage is a beginner's bike, but is it also a bike keep to riding for ever.  It is a city bike and a Interstate tourer.

They were called Yammerscammer Very Slows for a reason... the only Virago worth throwing a leg over was the 1100. And that bike was known as a man-killer, great torque, decent horsepower, weak chassis and pathetic brakes. And very high maintenance, it was literally a mildly updated Vincent Black Shadow engine with slightly better electrical components.

The Route 66 model of the 250 is getting to be highly collectible, the standard is a throw away. Great learner bike, but rapidly outgrown, with roughly zero resale or trade in value. It's as big a joke as a 250 Rebel, but without the name recognition.

The Savage can make a great learner/keeper bike. Same weight and wheelbase as a real (1960s) 250, a bit underpowered compared to 650 parallel twins but will happily keep up with bigger bikes all day long on the slab. Has its quirks the same as any other model, has little to no dealership support, and is still a bit unusual in the USA. Other than the CDI ignition and vacuum fuel tap (1970s technology) she's straight out of the late 1950s or early 1960s. Easy to work on, air-cooled, real metal fenders and fuel tank, old fashioned spoke wheels with tubes...

I've had mine for a touch over 12 years now. I flog it like I hate it, ride all my bikes that way. Savage is still going strong, the liquid cooled 99 Vulcan't 800A I had spun a bearing under the same riding parameters. I need new tires, yet still take 40 mph curves at 60 mph, my 2005 Vulcan't 800B wiped out and broke my shoulder at 20mph in a 40 mph curve, with fresh rubber (3 months old tires). My Savage has technically been totalled out, my stepson laid it over at 35 mph in the rain (in front of a cop) into a curb, holing the fuel tank, bending the rear fender, tweaking the bars... I'm riding the bike to work almost daily. Savages have full frames, the engine and transmission were just fine. A Virago would have broken in half, the engine isn't properly protected.

Have your wife test sit Savage, V-Star 650, Shadow VLX 600 (very good bike). Don't waste money on a 250, unless she is tiny she will be bored with it very quickly. Savage sits a bit higher than the v-twins listed, Savage and Shadow will outhandle the Star due to having taller/lighter/narrower front wheels. Shadow is a 4-speed chain drive.

I like small bikes.

I would highly recommend the S40/Savage. Easy maintance, great handling, great fuel milage, more than enough power to keep up with bigger bikes. I almost got a 250 for my first bike two years ago. I'm 6' 220#. 250's run outta stream quick. She'll feel comfortable on a S40. hardly weighs more than a 250 and she won't "outgrow" it. I ride with a group of Harley's 883's and Road Kings. I can keep up and even lead. Only downside is that i have to refuel more often than they do, but that is fixable with modding the tank to a sportster tank.

We bought my wife an S40 last year as her 1st bike and in hindsight, it was the right choice.

The S40 is a lightweight, nimble bike that is very easy to handle. It is a VERY good beginner bike but the beauty of it is that it's more than that. It's a good bike, period. Although it will flat run circles around a 250 it's power level is easy to handle for a beginner.

here's a quick pro/con list off the top of my head:
PRO'S:
-handles curves very well for a cruiser
-easy to handle for beginners
-light weight/ nimble
-looks good-like a "real bike" not a toy.
-good torque
-VERY simple and easy to work on (easy for the DIY'er and should be cheap for the "take it to the shop" crowd)
-VERY low maintanence
-Light clutch pull for those who don't have gorilla hands (this was important for my wife as she has small hands)
-Good forum for technical support

CON'S:
-Cam chain tensioner is marginal- (easy, inexpensive fix)
-A bit gutless in stock form (I ride a GSXR so I may have a slightly scewed view of what "gutless" really is)-it is easy to coax more power from the S40/Savage so don't let this sway you.
-tendancy to POP (exhaust) on decell in stock tune- can be minimized for very little investment. Eleminating all together is more difficult.
-Limited aftermarket accessories. Lots of parts for other bikes (Harleys) can be made to work pretty easy).

Peronally, I would skip a 250. They are excellent bikes to start on but they are quickly "outgrown" and will leave you searching for another bike. The S40 is just as easy to handle but has the growth potential that will not require moving up to a bigger bike anytime soon (if ever).

Having had a Rebel 250 and now the S-40. I would definetly go for the S-40.

The Rebel is great to begin yet nothing she can't handle with the S-40. I got bored quick with the Rebel and couldn't wait to move to something with more spunk. The S-40 gives  all of that. It really is a great bike and is so enjoyable to do the twisties with..

Take her and let her sit on one and if nothing else take her for a test ride on one. Better yet if she has her endorsement, let her ride it herself. CAUTION, she may not come back for awhile..