Hello folks, just sold my poor old 30yr old cb750c after 15 years due to losing the war with corrosion and rust. but no problems after 45000km at all..
Then in my local showroom I saw a s40, I have a few days to decide on buying or not. I even looked at an 03 with 6000km on the clock, very nice for $3200.
The bike I need to take me to work for a few months a year, 26km each way, rain or shine. so maybe I will clock between 6000-8000km per year. I dont take highways or run with the "Tim Horton" crowd, speed does not interest me at all now days, just enjoy the ride.  
Then I came here, you guys have a very nice site here with lots of info.
So now I am thinking if I buy one of these bikes first the cam chain adjuster is going to fail at a silly low amout of kms in its only 2nd year on the road..
I am not mechanically inclined and now am a bit wary of buying one of these bikes.
Can you guys still recomend one of thes bikes?

yes you may be correct. Now if all new machines came fiited with your gizmo then I could sleep at night better. I just cant believe suzuki would continue selling bikes with known defects.

kritchie wrote on 06/10/12 at 18:40:35:

Well must admit I have enjoyed reading about the bikes.
But I am feeling now a low km bike is a better bet than a new one, I may be more inclined to "try" and work on an older machine. I have looked over the cam chain fix a few times now.
Thanks for the replies guys.

A lot has been said about the timing chain tensioner, but it's not a weakness--just something that wears out. I checked mine at 17,000 MILES and fixed it for about $50 in parts, while fixing the cap plug leak, also a small issue. Many cars and trucks need a timing belt change every 70,000 miles or so to keep from ruining the engine. Riding one the way you do it will last forever. Stay on here and learn about the Savage while you approach the "problem" mileage. Then you can make an informed decision as to working on it or having it done. There has to be someone on here who lives close enough to you to do it for you when needed. Four hours, tops. Buy it, you'll like it.  

One thing about the S40 is it's pretty much "old school"; i.e., in many ways it's a kinda throwback to the 50's & 60's glory days of the Brits and the "old" Harleys (newer Harleys are hi-tech).   Simply put... it's made to be simple.   However, remember those old dinos all died out because the Japanese ate their lunch.  They produced bikes you could ride day in and day out without having to wrench on them all the time.   It was a paradigm shift in motorcycledom because in the old days, if you wanted to ride, you needed mechanical skills.

I think one of the things that makes the Zuk attractive among it's following is its nearly limitless mods and customs options.   It's like starting with a piece of unfinished art that you can complete.   This won't appeal to everyone, but among a certain few it's an opportunity, that newer hi-tech bikes just don't adhere to as well.   A analogy might be like trying to hot rod a new hybrid car.

Every motorcycle has it's own character and personality, so it's hard to say which is good and bad because of dependencies.   If your goal is to ride everyday, and you have little desire to learn about maintenance, then there are plenty of other bikes that are more appropriate.   This is all my opinion, of course, and others may disagree.

well thanks for the replies, friendly place you have here.
I am going to check out the 2nd hand bike tomorrow, as much as I am wary there is something about the look of this bike that draws me to it  
It may not have the power of my old bike but I can live with that, I think it will fit my needs well. Spend winter in my very small garden shed is one. As far as maintaining the bike its been a long time since I got dirty.
I remember taking bikes apart many many years ago, Triumph Tiger, yamaha 180, Suzuki GT250, would be a few of my victims.
Prices for s40 here are $7000 new(with taxes) and 2nd hand bikes also command a high price. The bike I am looking at has 4800km comes with rack, saddlebags, windscreen, and a large rack bag( what ever its called)
It has been spending life doing many many short trips across town.
Thanks again, will let you know what i get up to.

Africord wrote on 06/11/12 at 08:15:01:


The prices in Novia Scotia probably don't relate to the prices in your area.  I know that the Cincinnati area prices are very high compared to the prices I can find on Craigslist when I search cities in the south or west.

I would not worry so much about the cam chain tensioner, you can always just pay someone to install a Verslavvy when the time comes.  

If you will be putting so many kms on the bike each year, I'd be more concerned with the riding position, sitting on your tailbone that much.  Your old CB was probably a lot more comfy than the S40 will be over long distances, because of both the riding position and level of vibration.  There are a couple of modifications that will help.. like changing the seat, switching to Progressive shocks, and forward controls.. but the riding position is still "feet forward" pretty much whatever you do.  That is the thing to evaluate carefully, whether or not you will find it comfortable enough for your commute.