Boogie_with_Stu
Senior Member
Offline
Look Ma, no hands!
Posts: 280
Raleigh, NC
Gender:
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Personally, I never understood the mindset of buying a bike (or car or boat or lawnmower or...) with the thought in mind that you were going to make changes to it so that it "fit" you better. Why not just buy what fits in the first place?
I came to be a Savage owner by accident. I was looking for a mid-range beginner/intermediate cruiser and found a deal that I couldnt pass up. Before the Savage purchase, I was looking at Honda VLX600's and Suzuki Intruders. Bikes that fit my 5'11" /195 frame a bit better than the typical Honda Rebel or Virago 250.
The Savage (or the S40) is not the best bike available in it's class, but it certainly is not the worst. It's a Thumper which holds a special place in many an old biker's heart, it's simple to work on with basic tools, and it is (for the most part) very rugged. It is very customizable if that happens to be your thing. Parts are cheaper than the Honda, Virago and Kawasaki Vulcan's of the same class. It is the lightest bike in it's peer group, making it nimble at slow speeds and easy for new/smaller riders to handle.
If I had money to burn and had to do it all over again, I probably wouldnt have bought a Savage. That being said, I have come to LOVE my little 650cc Thumper with all of her great attributes as well as her quirks. Would I trade her for a Honda VLX or Kawasaki Vulcan of similar worth? Not a chance. Like that scrappy mutt you saved from the shelter, she is MINE now and she has taken on part of my personality.
If you have read through a bunch of these pages and some online reviews and WANT to buy a Savage, then buy it. If you have a choice between several different bikes, try them out at a local dealership. Sit on them. Feel them out for fit. Look them over carefully. Decide on what you WANT. If the Savage you are looking at is the only real option you have (due to lack of funds or it being a really good deal), then you have to decide if this Thumper is a good fit for you (and not just in terms of height and weight). Personally, I dont think you will regret it. A Savage is a fine machine when set up properly and is the perfect size for a rider who likes to cruise calmly and doesnt need the " 120 mph in 15 seconds" adrenaline rush.
The above is just my personal opinion. I'm no expert by ANY means. Your mileage may vary.
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