HJH
Junior Member
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SuzukiSavage.com Rocks!
Posts: 54
Cheyenne, WY
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I won a 2001 XL 1200, and rode it for about 3 years, but got arthritis in my left hand and a new right shoulder and couldn't handle the Harley clutch pull any more or the weight of the bike, plus I never could figure out what color rag to wear on my head, so I sold it. Without the physical problems, I'd probably have kept it. It is much easier for me(5'7", 160 lbs) to ride the Savage(S40), since it has gone on a 200 pound diet from the Harley, the seat is lower, and it has lots of torque, so it is great to run around town. I would not use it as a touring bike, but having been on the Big Island, I think you would find it works well on the roads there. You will have to get used to the power sign-off at about 75-85 mph, but they don't want you going those speeds on the island anyway. Ditto the smaller gas tank and the lack of an tripmeter, unless they have fixed that on the S40. You will also have to get used to the lack of sound from the muffler, unless you do what many of us have done and slap a Dyna or Sportster take-off muffler on it and re-jet. Then you should hear the familiar Harley rumble from the S40, too. My Sportster had the same back-firing/popping exhaust as the Savage/S40 because it was jetted lean for emission control, too, so that should be familiar to you. Of course, you will have to endure the constant questions from the Harley boys about why you didn't buy a "real motorcycle". On the other hand, with the large number of Orientals on the islands, I suspect you will see more Japanes bikes anyway.
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Silver '02, Dyna, Raptor Petcock, VM carb at 6000 ft, Q2 needle, 12.5 pilot, 170 main, UFO, Verslavy, Pirelli 150/90, Plexistar 2 Windshield, K&N filter, Tourmaster II bag, Progressive Shocks
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