My first question on the Savage forum.  Hello, and thank you moderators for letting me sneak over and visit from the Honda Rebel site.  

Has anyone here stepped up from a Rebel into the s40?  How is the change from vibration at 60mph.  I am a motorcycle simple purist and prefer low overhead and do my own repairs.  Started out trying to save money, but now love the hobby......so not saving much anymore (anyone been there)......motorcycling! What a thrill....keep it slow now.

I don't ride on freeways , so at 50-60mph I assume the vibration will not be an issue.  The Rebel really doesn't bother me much, for some reason there is a lot of chatter about counter balancer and vibration of the big cylinder on the s-40.  I certainly like the s-50 as a smoother twin, but that is way out of my league.  I feel the transition will be easy to the S-40?  Currently the Rebel is a rubber band and I toss it around very easy...second nature, don't really consider dropping it anymore.

Thank You for your time and input.

2009 Rebel 17K miles under my belt now.

2nd rebel rider to jump on the forum in a week, no problem tho. I have had a rebel and a savage/s40 in the garage at the same time and ridden both.
At 60 the rebel is screamin at the top of its lungs and if you want to get that extra 3mph out of it you have to lean into it.
The savage/s40 on the other hand, is in 4th gear looking to even out in 5th and not telling you to let off the throttle.
They both weigh in about the same, almost sit the same height and very similar in length. The position of seating is a bit different, you lean a little farther forward with the rebel and sit more back and upright with the savage... the s40 with its forward bars almost sits the same as the rebel.
Power... no comparison, savage/s40 all the way, torque is definitely different, the rebel is a dog, the savage/s40 will snap your head back if you twist it hard.
At 60, they will both vibrate, but the savage/s40 will be very much lessened and more comfortable, add a windscreen and you will find that the rebel will still be screaming at you while the savage/s40 will be quiet and thumpin' away.
Rebel: 35-45 city
Savage: 55-75 highway
and that's all for today.  

80mpg wrote on 12/20/13 at 20:18:12:
IMO --

2004, looking at 250cc cruisers, say the specs on the 650 Savage being only 50 pounds heavier... hmmm.  Went to Del Amo Motorcycles, said the Savage was no good, too much vibration, leaks oil, people sell them back.  And we had none.   Walked away, will never buy from known liars.  Vibration?  From a 650 Thumper? DUH!

Bought one, darn! -- actually too less vibration than I expected and I would prefer.  Suzuki did too good on the counter balancer.

I am abusive, the Savage takes it, as long as you don't let the oil get too low.  Leaving work, first left traffic signal, green light, 5 pops shift 5 pops shift 5 pops shift 5 pops shift and I was cruising before I was vertical.  Feel lazy?  The Thumper will pull WOT at 20mph in fifth.  Feel frisky?  The Thumper will run down the freeway in ramp and merge traffic doing 70 mph in third.  Smoothly. 4th and 5th just lessen the vibration.

On the Interstate, 5th gear, 65 mph, the vibrations of the power strokes run 35 Hertz -- about the same vibration of a cheap motel's massage bed, and just as relaxing.

Other opinions may vary.

I started out on a rebel. Loved it. Very light and as others say about it, forgiving. She'll always have a special place in my heart, but within six months I sold it and bought a vintage bike. Mostly because of styling. Kept that for almost a year before buying my savage. And with the savage I found "my" bike. It fits me perfectly. When I had the rebel I was a little cramped. I'm 6' long legs and arms. After longer rides my knees killed me. For not much more weight the savage has more power and better leg room.

As far as the vibration, I honestly don't notice it. Definitely more power though! Still no ton on it...yet.

My only complaints are the verslavy doesn't come factory installed and it doesn't come with 16" rear wheel. And it did take time to get used to a thumper.

I would definitely recommend it.

never rode the rebel, but I did ride a Virago 250 while taking the MSF course.... All I know is that the savage feels like twice the bike as far as power and comfort are concerned..... my only complaint I have is the fact that my savage is only a 4 speed, which is great but a 5th gear is better on the highway, but overall a very nice bike to move up to.... she cruises very nicely at 70mph but sounds like its running at redline, but really its not.... thumpers are called thumpers for that reason.... very smooth as far as vibes are concerned.

I moved up from a GZ250 and because the savage(s40) is so lightweight the transition is easy..
The s40 DOES vibrate more but look at the reciprocating mass  
The vibrations are lower frequency though, which is less annoying, and 70 is a walk in the park