Hi, my name is Jerry, I just joined. I have a chance to buy a brand new 2010 S40 for $4299 OTD, with enough money left to get the sissy bar/luggage rack and some saddlebags. My current bike is a '93 Vulcan 750 bought new with 87,000 miles on it, and is on it's last legs. Compression is still good, but the cam chains (all four of them) are badly worn, and the adjusters have already been shimmed. So I need a new bike, but can no longer afford a bike of that size/type. I don't want to buy used, and I have always liked the LS650/S40. I am 6' 200 pounds, so it might seem I am too big for this bike, but have sat on several, and took one for a test ride, and I seem to fit fine. This is the only cruiser of it's size for anywhere near the price, and I love it's simplicity. I am an auto mechanic, and can work on bikes, but the Vulcan is so complex it would cost as much as a new Savage to rebuild.

This would be an automatic decision, but everywhere I go, people keep telling me about all the mechanical issues the Savage has, especially the cam chain. So I thought I would ask about it from people who know what they are talking about, actual owners. Would appreciate any and all opinions and advice. Thanks, Jerry.

Well, there's only one cam chain and if you've had to work on it to get it to last 87k miles then the savage will be pretty similar.  The cam chain is an issue, but if taken care of, not a problem.  A lot of owners are afraid to turn a wrench on her so they dump it when the cam chain issue comes up on an unsuspecting newb.  Who never checks it dumping the valves into the piston.

The last car I worked on was a 68 vw bus, working on the savage is just like that.

Keep the maintenance up and it'll last a long time.

Yep, get the S40. Keep the 750 Vulcan (I really wish I still had mine). Rebuild the Vulcan at your leisure. OK, that's my two cents. What ever you decide:Ride safe, far, and often.