I agree, they're probably minimum recommendations. I ignore them.

I installed a tachometer on the bike so I could see what my changing rpm was like compared to the feel of the bike. I learned I was changing too soon anyway. I give it a bit more now. It's almost impossible to over do it on the S 40.

I don't pay any attention to the "recommended" speed. I just shift when it feels right.

I also sit on about 4000 rpm on the highway. That translates to about 100 km per hour, which is the speed limit on most major highways here in Australia.

At lower speeds I generally don't go below 3000 rpm. I'll change down if I have to to keep the rpm up.

2500 rpm always feels to low to me.

I see those guides as
Any sooner and you're lugging it..
Anyone who would actually change into third
At thirty, and climb a five block long grade, without accelerating quickly and getting the engine spinning and breathing, doesn't really understand how to keep a machine alive.
If I couldn't hear the exhaust at lower speeds I wouldn't know what to do.
And the grade that keeps me from upshifting, allows that gear change at lower speeds, when im going down it.
Who would actually change into third at thirty if they were bucking a forty mile an hour head wind?

The guidelines are for reasonably level, calm conditions, average loads, change a variable, adjust as needed.

I swapped front pulleys, so, now when I hit
30 MPH on the speedometer, I'm actually at about 32.5, but, the engine RPM is where it was when the guidelines said, okay, you can shift now, but if I do shift , I'm shifting into a
Climbing a hill type load. Because I am geared higher.
It's taking some time, the Forty MPH limits are a bummer, unless it's downhill or good wind at the back..

30 mph in 3rd gear feels good on my bike. There's a short stretch on the highway about a mile or two long that drops to 30 mph. I'm not lugging the engine but I'm also not climbing any hills. It's just a slow gentle cruise and the bike is happy there.

The manual basically recommends the minimum speed.  “Short shifting”, any speed/rpm below the rpm/speed where max torque and acceleration is achieved and “optimal” shift point for maximum acceleration through the gears and up to desired speed.  

Road and load will tell you when you are lugging the engine and should be in a lower gear.  I do a lot of short shifting without lugging it - better gas mileage, it’s how a slow cruiser “should” be ridden, and it keeps my rather loud exhaust a little less obnoxious.  Plus I just like getting up into 3rd/4th gear where I can just ride and not be going up and down through the gearbox.  The Savage/S40 may not be fast, but between the wide power band of the motor and wide ratio gear box, you can really do the “easy rider” well, have fun, and enjoy the scenery.

The guide kinda makes more sense for downshifting since the Savage doesn’t have a nifty slipper clutch to keep you from “barking the rear tire” if you downshift too soon because you’re going too fast. It’s one thing if you’re kinda planning and ready for it - it’s a totally different story if you do it accidentally and aren’t ready (like when you accidentally downshift 2 gears at once instead of just 1).

Exactly Dave!  Some topics deserve resuscitation!  I'm not sure why I felt compelled to comment.  I know a couple of people that commented 7 years ago are still around.  I wonder how many of the others got an email notification that the topic they've been following has a new comment?  I wonder if I woke anybody up from 7 years ago.