I've had my Savage since February of 1998. I've had bikes ranging from model year 1915 to model year 2005. Over 100 of them.

Bar none, stock Suzuki seats are the absolute worst. Kawasaki's cruiser seats are the best.

I'm 6'2" and down to 215#. I run a set of 15" rise handlebars (Krome Werks apehangers), a set of Panhead style Harley floorboards welded to the stock peg mounts and a modified Kawasaki VN800A seat. And a higher narrower fuel tank.

Savages are not long trip bikes. At least for somebody my size, I'd prefer a VN1500A (love the Classic but loathe 16" front wheels). My Savage with a stock seat was comparable to my 63 Panhead in a 53 rigid frame with a hard mounted seat. Back breaker (literally, my lumbar spine is trashed).

Take your time and get used to the bike. You can't ask for a better around town cruiser. If you just have to ride with a passenger, do both of you a favor and buy a second bike for that. Something with a real seat and a real backrest, Kawi Nomad or an HD Road King with the accessory backrest.

Oh, like Lancer said, never apologize for safety gear. I have a steel shoulder and a scar from a clutch lever through the chin because I don't use ATGATT. Never have, never will, can't stand the stuff. Leather and a 1/2 or 3/4 shell for me. Unless I'm in a freedom of choice state, then I ride without a lid.

If two -up riding is your ride of choice, then a larger bike is desireable....but since we'd like you to hang around a bit longer, ride thine Savage for a season and develop your riding skills..take an MSF advanced rider's course or similar skill builder.  By next year you can become a FSO and still survive- visiting the forumn as desired.

Triumph has done a great job with their line..and should you want to keep the savage for the quick around town..their are usually plenty of good low milage america's available.  Front fork brace and seat front raise two great mods.

And by the way...
Congratulations on your new bike!!
Now, shut up and go ride that thing!!
Enjoy!

teabowl13 wrote on 04/18/12 at 12:11:56:


I'll second teabowls thoughts here.  I started riding back in the late 60's and rode Trumpets,Beezers, vertical twins and big singles. Had a Harley once also. Built a couple of choppers with ape-hangers and the works. Got away from scooters for 20 years or so and couldn't stand it any more. Now knocking on 60's door and back on two wheels. I found our real quick the FCs don't allow as much control of the bike as stock pegs or boards. I do like highway pegs for the occasional stretch though!

I purchased a Corbin seat for my 06 S40 after about 400 miles.  My sense was, it felt like I was riding "on" the S40 with the stock seat, whereas, the Corbin seat provides a sense of being a part of the bike, that due to the different seat angle, back lip of the seat and over-all comfort.  After riding bicycles for years, the last road bike I bought required 5 different ass-hatchets before finely getting the right fit for my tail.  Oh, I'm 5'8", 180, 68yrs old, so seat comfort and support is appreciated by me.

The fact that the Corbin is narrower is moot. With the Corbin you sit in the seat, not on it- and the passenger portion of the Corbin is definitely wider than the stock seat.