I, for one, absolutely wanted this bike.  My wish list, in my mind, are things to make THIS BIKE better, not change it into something else.  Suspension and brakes are a safety factor; wheel size and a very slight change in the frame to a bit of a standard are just a matter of looks; tach & speedo relocation is for convinience; for reworking the cyl. head...well, that is to correct Suzukis PURPOSEFUL detuning of the engine which I suspect was done so it would not compete with the DR650.  They could have just dropped the DR engine in a frame with a milder cam and lower compression if they had wanted to but they didn't.  Actually the camshafts are both from the same cam core (for 1990-1995 and perhaps even farther back), just different profiles.  The valves are the same, and I think the rockers as well, and of course the pistons are interchangeable.

Anyway, I am emotionnally attached to this bike, will never sell my '96 (REX) and I just like to tinker and make small improvements along the way.  I am not replacing his heart with something else, so he remains a Suzuki LS650 Savage.

LANCER wrote on 08/20/17 at 08:23:50:

Ditto.  But my old knees complain less with the 4" FCs, and the head work (thank you Super Thumper) along with the other supension and engin mods give me all I need to putt along all day with more than enough in my quiver to make even the 1200s sit up and bug their beady little eye balls....

zipidachimp wrote on 08/20/17 at 11:11:30:



Yep, you sure can if you have LOTS of $$$.
During my twilight dreams it is a BSA Goldstar 500. 🏍😎🏍😎🏍😎🚁
... and a small helicopter.😁

I think sometimes, that Suzuki doesn't want you on an S40/Savage for very long. We seem to forget that our bikes are the cheap intro into the Suzuki Boulevard range. They want you on a bigger, flasher, more expensive Boulevard asap. If you are new to motorcycling, get your license and a bit of experience up and then move up. They probably sell enough S40's to people who will do this, it certainly happens in my country. Obviously they sell a few to people who soon decide that motorcycling isn't for them as well. Their dies and tooling are set up for what they want. The aftermarket industry of Verslagen, Lancer, Dave can readily cater for those who want more reliability and performance. I won't say much about the comfort, but there is always the Corbin seat and Airhawk pads. plus what many amateurs do.

If I had the choice I would vote for a sixth gear , the rest of it can be modded !
Yes I'm back from eight days in California Gold country , big fun & perfect weather.

Yes , the LS-650 is almost PERFECT isn't it !  

Really it closer than it looks .


1.   The Taller gear is a piece of cake (Kawasaki 454 or 500 (25 tooth) pulley).   Runs down the Super-Slab at 75mph so happily you'll think its made to do it .  

2.   The cam chain adjuster has a ratchet action to keep it from backing up once expanded , so you don't need that super spring that Suzuki puts in.   I've been 20,000 miles with 1/4 strength spring and the adjuster might have moved one click  .  

3.  The seat off a Harley FatBoy is very easy to modify for the LS-650 , and is very comfortable .   Or the 03 and older  Sportster seats are very close to a strait fit.   Harley makes good parts !

4.   Almost all the after market speedometers' work just fine ,  some-where on this site is the cable info.    The trip-set gets as simple as a luggage combination lock (3 numbers) .

5   Your going to need a welder for the fuel tank expansion , unless ya ask OldFeller !      I think it was a GS-250 that worked for me .

6.   I'm getting over 20,000 mile from Commander II tires , 140/90-15  and they ride great.  

I'm 5'10" so I like a tall shock on the rear ... seems like any part of any bike will fit this thing !  


350#'ish bike



 

While they're at it, Suzuki could properly fix that rubber seal to the toolbox.

LANCER wrote on 08/21/17 at 06:09:17:


Rubbish.  Pics or didn't happen.