stinger wrote on 04/11/14 at 02:37:11: As far as a toy bike goes, I would not go as far to say that.
I'm 6'2", over 200 pounds by a decent margin, and cut my riding teeth on a Knucklehead...
To me, a Savage will always be a toy. Even my highly modified 98 is a toy. My 03 is a commuter bike, that can't hit 70 miles per hour or 50 miles per gallon (probably the windshield).
If I wanted a cross country go to rallies and such medium sized motorcycle, I'd have gotten a C50 or VN800A, or stepped up to a VN1500 (could have got a local project one for $600) if I wanted/needed a full sized.
The Savage has the exact same wheelbase as the 1963 Honda CL72 (248cc dual sport) I gave away as a parts roach last year. And roughly the same as the 1957 rigid framed, springer equipped 1200cc/74 cubic inch Panhead I left in storage at a friend's place in western WA. The LS engine is huge compared to the CL, and a mouse fart compared to the Harley.
My 2003 that I got from Pine is my 105th or 106th street motorcycle since 1987... I've owned the spectrum from 1915 to 2005 model years. I usually take in clunkers, clean them up and get rid of them. Bought this one to ride until it falls apart.