I'll take a poke at it.

Kawasaki Vulcan S is coming up on the radar screen as "short legged, low seat height" enough for us Savagers, with 30 additional hp and more torque and similar small iight handling around town and in the curvies.

Engine is a compact twin, is same displacement sized but more modern fuel injected, etc.    Has 60 hp on tap, so it can do open road work better than Savage can do.

Ergo fit means the bike can Really FIT you ..... this is noted as a real advantage.

Desert Rat & Oldfeller,

Anything much improved over the Savage usually weighs at least a 100 lbs more.

I like the Yamaha bolt too, but again the weight is way up there for the strong young fellas. As soon as anything currently manufactured gets any horsepower it is either a sport bike or a heavy cruiser.

May as well go for a Sportster if one handle the weight.....

Kenny G

50 HP.  under 400 #

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/moto-guzzi/2014-moto-g...

I still like my Savage !    
Fact is I run my S-40 (140/90) at 70 mph regularly .   I'll admit that is close to the top of my comfort range for wind buffing and such and its also close to the top of what my bike is comfortable doing --- so we match up perty close !




The Suzuki 650 trail bike is about 45 HP    I think ?   how would one of them be if it was lowered down outa the wind some ?

I'm a student, I can't afford beer unless it's the $5 solo cup shindig ...

Kenny G, I would like the Yamaha Bolt as well but the twenty six or so extra bhp must be compensated by stronger heavier frame and so on and extra money. I sat on one once and the air box seemed to hit my knee, but I suppose you would get used to it, then there's silly digital instruments on a semi retro styled bike.

The Savage/ S40 is a pretty unique motorcycle actually. There isn't anything out there directly.  comparable IMO.

However if similar performance is the criteria this one comes to mind. Less expensive, a bit lighter, less than half the displacement but almost as much HP. And it's a thumper.

http://powersports.honda.com/2015/cb300f.aspx

I'm pretty sure the KTM 390 will out perform it by a significant margin, but you can probably actually find one of these to buy. The only KTM dealer within 100 miles of me got 2 390 Dukes last year, sold both, and has no idea when he might get any more

The little Honda also has three things that I wish my Suzuki had, A tripmeter (I think it might have a fuel gauge or a least a low fuel warning light) cast wheels/tubeless tires - pick up a nail and you've at least got a fighting chance of plugging the tire and getting home without a truck or tow) and somewhat better range on a tank of gas.

I'm not in love with the looks, but if I was looking for a new bike to do the kind of riding I do on my S40 this one would be on my short list. Ya, cant tell what it looks like when you're riding it anyway.

Kenny G wrote on 03/06/16 at 07:59:10:

on tall bikes I step on the standside peg and swing over, like mounting a horse
that's how a 30" inseam gets on a 34" tall seat

how low a seat height you need?
used Ninja 500R, 500cc, 50 horsepower, six speed, (will do over 125) 30" seat height, under 400lb
as far as cruisers, you won't find a bigger one that the S40 with as light a weight, that's not what cruisers are about