Tincanman wrote on 04/23/11 at 01:54:57:



yeah if you want something different but not really too different but gets you into a different performance range with the same ergos and just the beginning of big bike-ism at 550ish pounds the S-83 VS1400 is the way to go. that what I wanted when I got my S-50, couldn't find any with payments I was comfortable with so I got the S-50

I have an S50 (actually a 1997 VS800).  I can honestly say in its stock form with the little buckhorn handle bars it is one of the most cramped and uncomfortable bikes I have ever been on.  It seriously needs the aftermarket forward controls like in jef.savage's picture above.  The buckhorn bars need to be changed for drag bars again see pic above.  Currently I am looking for a better seat as the older ones like mine have a cramp inducing king-queen style that pushes the rider too far forward.

To recap:  the seat pushes you forward, the foot controls force you to have your legs bent and feet back and the handle bars hold your hands too far inward with your elbows bent too much.  You look like a chimpanzee riding a bike and will walk like one if you do a really long ride.  And I am only 5'9"

And I seriously agree with PerryDaSavage that the battery compartment designer needs a beating.  I do have bad knees and checking or changing the battery is brutal.

That said, I see the potential in the bike but it needs some serious additional investment to realize it and likely no return on resale.

Hey jef.savage,

Could you ellaborate a bit on those air horns??   I just LOVE the idea of getting something like that on a Savage and blow it when the cagers cut me off...  

Thanks,

RW

WD wrote on 05/04/11 at 05:52:59:



???? why are you pulling the motor to service the carbs?  I'm confused.

I agree the shocks do kinda suck, but not any worse than the S-40's shocks.

idk, I'm on the other end from you, I'm 5'1" and the S-50 suits me great. all the Kawasaki cruisers have forward pegs that make it a reach for me and I love the skinny cruiser kind of bikes like the Sportster and S-40 and S-50

Red_Wine wrote on 05/03/11 at 07:53:29:


Wolo Airsplitters.  Very cheap on E-bay.  

Red_Wine wrote on 05/05/11 at 15:31:27:

S50 has a fake air cleaner that holds the tool kit.  I removed it and bolted one horn to each of the top two holes.  I used a longer than normal bolt with two nuts.  Put the bolt in the hole a bit and tightened down the inner nut.  Slipped the horn over the end of the bolt and tightened the outer nut against the horn to hold it in place.  For the compressor I used a right angle bracket.  I rounded off the end and drilled one hole out a bit so I could bolt it into the bottom hole from the tool kit holder.  I bent the outer end of the bracket in so it forms a small U and bolted the compressor to that.  I extended the stock horn wires to the compressor.

I wear a 4XL glove, I can't get my hands anywhere near the rear carb on an Intruder. 800 Marauder or the c series they got smart, center mount fuel delivery, at the expense of a few ponies.

Luckily I haven't had to do much to Lisa's bike other than oil filters and air filters. Should tear the shaft down for a relube one of these days, it has never been off, but the cush drive leaks so much oil I may not have to worry about it. That was a bad idea when BMW came out with it in the 20s.

I'm still trying to figure out how to best put a 6" longer than stock round frame backbone into my Savage. Not as cramped as the 800 but could stand to be a bit longer for comfort. And easier oversized tank install. 2.5 gallon tank just isn't enough.

so if you're not a giant, I think the S-50 is a fine bike, not sure how WD fits better on a S-40 than an S-50, to me they feel the same ergonomically with the S-50's straight bars not the Intruders weird buckhorn bars, I've heard those did change things.

what's a cush drive?