So I've had my '03 savage for almost 2 years now, taken it coast to coast twice and use as a cheap means to get around town while I'm still in school.

The thing is, when I'm somewhere like Idaho, Montana, Iowa, etc. I want to be able to cruise faster than 70 mph. It's just a bummer to be somewhere with nothing but wide open and cars are passing you because the speed limit is at 75 or 80 mph. I know she'll dance in the mid-80s if I make her, but I don't want to hurt the old girl.

With that said in an effort to explain this blasphemous question at this forum, but do any of you own something similar in size with more horsepower/speed/gas tank volume?

Stan

*Edit:
I should note that I love cross country trips, which is why I'm looking for a second bike. I'm trying to keep the frame size similar because I'm only 5'10" and greatly appreciate the control and stability I feel on that size of machine.

Stan wrote on 12/26/10 at 18:24:40:


Thinking about a long distance V-twin tourer...  I like air, shaft, sounds like either the VStar 650 or 1100.  The 1100 can be going over 90 mph within a quarter mile.  But then I hear that the 1100 is looking at 40mpg on the highway, and I know that the Savage does 60mpg.  A 4.3 gallon tank versus 2.8 gallons equates to 172 miles empty versus 168 miles.  You will still be looking at fuel stops about 140 miles.

A 5,000 mile tour, at $3.50 a gallon, is about $290 for the Savage, compare with $440 for the 1100VStar.

beatduck?

You could convert your Savage to chain drive then gear it for higher speed cruising.

If you want to be able to easily change gearing back and forth, you could get a split rear sprocket that can be removed/installed without taking off the wheel.  See the "Link Lock"option here: http://www.sprocketspecialists.com/SprocketMain.aspx

If  I had a long commute or was going to do cross-country trips, I'd get a Suzuki V-strom.  

If you want to keep riding a cruiser, then look at the yamaha v-stars or honda shadows, or bigger suzuki cruisers.  If you want to keep riding a thumper, the DR650 is smoother on the highway and cruises at 80mph no problem.

you mean there are other bikies out there, so i went out and bought the biggest lawn mowere i could fine   wife bought it for wedding present. then hardly never rode it.   that what made is such a beautiful machine.

now this one will get you from A to B without any problem,
A nice steady 80mph  on the slab will not be a problem.

Gsx650F---Very good runner on the road---Inline 4-injected-5 gal. tank-i get 50-52 mpg---Pretty much a standard seating position-comfortable---Seen some very good buys recently