I wanted a bike that didn't look like what everyone else was riding but also had to do it cheaply. Found a 98 savage with 1,300 miles on it that an "old dude"(well much older than my 39 years) had bought for his wife..-n- she didn't like it...That was in 2005 still luv my savage. Though she's gone through a few changes since then(pics coming soon) Found this site shortly after....lots of good -n- interestin things on here. Thanx ya'll

After all the stories my childhood friend told me wife what i used to do on bikes an when we could afford it... It was my only choice at the time...  Yep friend can be a  blessing in disguise... That things been a hoot... i thought i would trade it for an upgrade... BAH! once paid it off bought a honker for me an the misses to ride ... but Baby Blue... SHES STAYIN!  

no matter how many tools you have, you never have enough

Simplicity led me to either a Yamaha SR500, a Honda FT500 or the Suzuki LS650. What sold me on the Suzuki was the wire wheels, the drum rear brake and the sheer amount of cheap parts available for these things since they're still in production. Only thing I wish was available for this bike was a kick start.

Bought it because it was cheap and newer than most everything else I could find.

I never imagined that I would be digging into the bike, but boy I have. I can honestly say that I never want to sell this bike. I'll ride it into the ground, rebuild it, and ride it into my grave. I don't know of any bike that matches it for ease of working on, handling, price, and moddability. and with a community like this at your back, you never have to worry about having to throw in the towel and take it to a shop where you'll get robbed blind.

not to mention the design has essentially been the same for what, closing in on 30 years? that says something.

Serowbot wrote on 04/18/12 at 22:13:39:


For some reason I thought the first model year was 1984 not 1986.

at any rate, it's older than I am  

prechermike wrote on 04/19/12 at 05:01:38:

I'd have to proceed to ask her why she was working in an auto-parts store.

At 64 I'm on the down slope of the size/power/need for speed slope plus I like the sheer mechanical-ness of this little beast.  My gimpy hips and knees also appreciate the small size.  It's a perfect <100 mile lunch runner or for quick trips up to Glacier NP.