Hey guys I have been looking around the forums for a good amount of time now. I have come to respect your opinions on topics and I would like to ask for your help on this topic. There is a savage for sale near where I live and I was wondering if you felt it was worth buying.

I have a few additional things to say. First of all I am a new rider and this would be my first bike. I went to look at the bike this past Sunday and I was sure to bring a friend of mine that is quite the gear head. The bike started just fine with a battery tender on it and it ran great. The post says the charging system needs check out and my friend is sure its either the alternator or rectifier. Assuming i could buy the bike for 900$ and perhaps get it running reliably for 70$ (best case scenario with the alternator). I realize there are alot of variables but based on this information do you feel its worth it?

Thanks for reading my really long post and providing feedback.

Muffler looks like a straight pipe.... no back pressure...  I'd swap it for a Sportster...
..., but if your buddy says compression and clutch seem good,... I'd  go for it...
Charging problem may be just a dying battery,.. or like you said...

If you can have a decent running bike for less than 1k,.. you can't loose...
This assumes things like fork seals, wheel bearings, brake pads,... are not a problem for you...

Personally,.. I usually look for 3 to 6k, and 95' or newer... but, I usually pay $1200 to $1500... location makes a difference in price too....

Best of luck... ...

Wow!... Me and Versy think a lot alike!... ...

... don't know the market in "northumbland",... or even where that is... but, if it was here,... I'd probably wait, or try for $600... ...

wet location's,... look for rust,... hot dry location's, look for rubber rot...
perfect areas,... look for perfection... ...

Where's "northumbland"?... ...

The price needs to go down for sure! I got my 86 for $700 in Los Angeles, the paint/body on mine is in better shape too

It is "Northumberland" I guess the poster of the classified add has trouble spelling. It is a small town in central PA. I agree that the price should go down a little but I got all hot and bothered when I looked at it because despite all its faults i could see myself on it. The seller said he was pretty firm because all the parts and work he had put into it. I was always taught that you never get the money back that you put into the bike (as far as modding). The seller also stated that if he didn't get near what he was asking he would just part it out and sell it on eBay and make more money than selling it whole. Thanks again for the insight guys

Wow i am envious.. The market must be tougher here. If the savage you bought really is in good shape that exhaust is worth a least a couple hundred itself..

that 2007 looks like a good deal, just needs a carb clean and maybe a new battery probly.   1k is way to much for an 86 and for a first bike I wouldn't buy a beater.  When your not too confidant on a bike, having the throttle stick open cause the cable is rusty or having one or the other of the brakes go out is not a good thing, not to mention if it has good tires or not.  Get something good and reliable and not too old and rusty for a first bike.  Or plan on spending alot of time bringing everyting from top to bottom up to spec before riding it.  I just wouldn't trust a 2 wheel jalopy.  it's ok on 4 wheels with a body to protect you, but on 2 wheels everything should be perfect.