The procedure really isn't hard. only pitfall is getting the cover off w/out ripping up the gasket. so if you have a spare on hand, you're golden.
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1191167029cam chain life...
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1192027390Haven't got a lot of new data, but my latest theory is...
And a lot depends on your riding habits, do you ride a lot of short rides(<20), then yes check it at 10k or less. A lot of long rides (>30) and you'll get in the range of 20k miles out of the chain. Extremely long rides (>60) and you might get 30k miles.
Listen to your bike, feel it once in a while, know what the normal vibrations feel like, get a mechanic stethoscope and listen to it.
when the plunger is about to fall out, it'll start rapping on the side of the case, just to the rear of the oil filter cover on the top side. when it starts whacking on the side of the cover, open it up and let the little FN gremlin out.