What ever your opinion of the break in schedule for a new Savage my OCD prevents me from deviating from the written word. I hit the 500 mile mark and, as you well know, allows me a top speed of 75 without guilt of offending the new engine spirits.

To celebrate I took to the freeway this morning on my way to work with images of bright sun, desert scenery whisking by and Peter Fonda on my wing. So, here's what really happened. The marine layer was down to about 50 feet and I was almost warm in my flannel lined riding jeans, fur lined gloves, thinsulate leather jacket and a twice wrapped wool scarf tucked into the helmet under my chin. All the vents on my helmet were closed but one and that was to clear the shield of moisture.

If you haven't been to Califonia recently then you have not experienced our wonderful freeway system. You can usually tell by the impacts and stresses upon your suspension which freeway you are on. I got on the 60 and it is called the 60 because that is how many miunutes it takes to get to the next off ramp.

Today was no exception, I made it half a mile before all lanes were creeping along. On top of that, it looked like a deck of cards being shuffled ahead of me as cars switched constantly from lane to lane to try to recover a few inches of the miles they lost in traffic.

I have to say that the Savage was nimble and quick in this situation, this was a main reason for choosing this bike and I was not disappointed. Later on the traffic did let up and I got about 5 miles of freeway speed before I hit my exit. This was followed by a trip through Carbon Canyon Road and I was in heaven the whole time. I can't imagine riding any other bike.

jcstokes wrote on 03/27/13 at 17:51:00:


Thank you for your response and that is a good point. I waited to hit 500 miles before going on the freeway because I would now be free to attain the new top speed of 75. If I move over to the carpool lane then I think I can maintain the higher speeds you suggest for most of the trip distance, would that help? Also, when you refer to using the gear box are you talking about alternating between 4th and 5th every few minutes or so? At what time intervals should I do this shifting?

Handbook states you can go 55 in third and 70 in fourth between 500 and 1000 miles. Fifty and sixty five to be safe.

My dealer and mechanic told me to ride my brand new 98 the first couple thousand miles like I hated the bike. All these years later the engine still burns no oil, runs smoothly, can pull the front tire off the ground if I drop the clutch...

Whatever works. Went in for first service at 2 weeks ownership with 1200 and change on the odometer. Including a 2 up trip from Long Beach MS to Baton Rouge LA, in February, bought the bike 2/2/98.

The freeway traffic jams will be a good way to get your clutch cable break in stretch over with...

Great advice, thanks guys!!!

Tire break in is easy. Front tire against the chimney or your truck, back tire in the grass, put it in first and spin the rear tire until it is steaming a bit. Mold release compound is now gone from the rear tire. Scrub the front with a bristle brush and water as hot as you can stand it. You could scrub the rear too, but my way is more fun (and freaks out the wife)...

Not a bit. The tire just cuts a groove in the yard.

Mt Vernon? I'm Puyallup born, Spanaway/Graham raised, graduated high school in Tacoma, went to WSU. Left WA in 12/94, swore I'd never be back. Was back from 11/01-3/11, couldn't get out of there fast enough. Wife wants to move back after her dad is gone, we moved back to TN to help him with his pecan farm. I'd go to Vancouver WA or so, but no closer to Seattle than that (would prefer Seaside or Columbia City Ore, but I'm not paying state income tax and having some jock drop out pump my gas for me)...

My farmhand is Seattle area born and raised. Wallingford, Ballard, White Center, Pacific, Shelton, Hoodsport...