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Message started by bullfrog on 12/01/08 at 21:35:20

Title: How common are s40 problems
Post by bullfrog on 12/01/08 at 21:35:20

I take my NRC this Friday and by next week I was planning on buying my new 2009 S40 but after spending so much time on this site I'm starting to worry about time and money spent on repairs. Are all of these repairs common place or is it just trying to modify the bike after purchase. This will be my major form of transportation and I need it to be running well with routine maintenance. I have posted here once before and everyone agreed this bike will fit my needs well. just worried about the major topics that are posted here. Thanks for any input. PS this is my first bike.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by verslagen1 on 12/01/08 at 22:12:24

With a brand new bike, I wouldn't expect any problems.
Read thru the problems again with an eye on how old are the bikes.
All of the problems are neglect/wear/age related, not outright bad engineering. But you got to be the right kind of guy for this bike. It likes to be maintained, but it's not a hanger queen. The maintenance is simple, you don't have to remove all the tupperware to change the oil. Sure some things are involved, but it could be a whole lot worse.

Buy that bike and go out to sea for 6 months and you'll have trouble with it when you come back cause you didn't winterize it before you left. That's neglect.
Leave it parked outside all year long and the rubber with rot off of it. That's neglect, but really accelerated age.

There are plenty of '86's around to say 'take care of me and I'll take you places'.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by Paladin. on 12/01/08 at 23:32:31

I do my best serving as a bad example.

I picked up my 2000 Savage in late '04 with a shade over 5,000 miles on it. Four years, 20,000 miles, two front tires, three rear tires, I try to keep up with oil & filter changes about every 3,000 miles, Verslagen wants to beat me with a wet noodle for not checking my cam chain, I've not gotten around to adjusting any valves, and my sparkplug is totally untouched by me. Bike rarely sits as I'm in So.Cal. and ride near daily.

If it died tomorrow I'ld go get a new S40 and transfer a few pieces over.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by bhcarl on 12/02/08 at 06:51:29

I bought my 07 new in jan. of 07, two years of rideing and the only bolts turned were for the oil change and filter. Thats it ,no problems of any kind.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by photojoe on 12/02/08 at 07:57:19

Bought my 87 in March with 12,000+ miles on it, have over 18,000 miles on it now. Only stranded once when my battery died. My third street bike, after a 72 Sportster and another early 84 Sportster. With those bikes I rode with full tool bags and my hands were always greasy. Clean fingernails most of the time with the Savage. A requirement for owning the old Iron Heads was having a pickup truck for breakdowns. It was like being in a bad relationship, but staying for the great sex. I loved those bikes.

Requirement for owning a Savage is changing the oil when needed, along with other routine stuff you can find on this board. I give here a once over every month. Tighten nuts and bolts and cleaning her up. Check the oil daily.

A great bike. I had no idea what a Savage was when I was looking in March. Just saw it and fell in love with her looks. Sat on it, and fell in love with her body. Rode it, and she took me to places I've never been. Yeah, a great bike.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by serowbot on 12/02/08 at 10:20:11

You do read about a lot of problems on this site, because that's when most people post,...for help....When people have problems, that's when they post.
I've done 18k miles with very little trouble. No breakdowns.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by thumperclone on 12/02/08 at 16:12:54

pushin 12k on my 06...
only "problem" has been the battery..
self infilcted!!!
installed sound system and failed to monitor electrode level...
preventive maintainance error on my part..

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by bullfrog on 12/02/08 at 21:33:42

Well this is good news to hear. I've yet to ride a motorcycle but I love the look of the S40 and I've been to the dealer and sat one. It feels right and very comfortable. This weekend can not come quick enough I look forward to my course and future bike. In fact if all goes right I'll be the owner of the new 2009 in white and grey. With saddle bage and windshild add due to being a commute bike, my father inlaw recommend to cut down on fatigue. Thank and look forward to being here for positive comments not technical help.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by verslagen1 on 12/02/08 at 21:54:11

Yes a windshield really cuts down on the strain of riding over 50mph.
The added benefit is protection from rocks. Took one on the chin of my FF just yesterday. flipped up by the cage in front of me and just cleared the windshield.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by LANCER on 12/03/08 at 04:45:34

Howdy ...frog, welcome to the best web-house around.
You will find that this is a very friendly and helpful place to hang out and get into all things LS650.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by Jimmer on 12/03/08 at 05:00:18

Hey Frog
I've had several different bikes in my short life (60 years). I found this to be the best all around bike I've ever had. Do the normal maintenance and the bike will take of you.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by forrest on 12/03/08 at 05:43:14

I have an 07 that I bought new. This is my first bike and it has been great. I've got almost 13k on it in 2 years and only problem is the petc#ck thing......that I haven't adjusted yet. I do need to tighten the belt and gonna open her up and look at the tensioner.

I was thinking about moving to a C50 but when I weighed the maintenance requirements, not to mention gas mileage, I'm sticking with my thumper.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by PerrydaSavage on 12/03/08 at 07:15:12

Welcome aboard frog! On my 2nd LS650 (an '05 S40) only 'cause I wuz stunned and sold my 1st one (an '03 Savage) to buy a VS800 ... mistake on my part! LOL!!
Loved both my LS' ... only routine maintenance like oil changes, etc. and one flat tire!
Ride and enjoy!

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by SavageDude on 12/03/08 at 11:17:51

Frog;
Go get it Dude! I bought mine new in 2005 and no problems so far. Just keep your eyes on the battery's water level or you have premature death on it. I changed out with a maintenance-free battery and never worry ever since then.
Ride safe bro.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by Bobbert on 12/03/08 at 12:32:02

56647364626041706160050 wrote:

Big Crank batteries- one of the better $50 you could ever spend

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/03/08 at 13:45:24

When I bought mine I had no idea how easy it would be to maintain, so, I bought a new one. I wanted the warranty. If I had known then that this site existed & how much help was available & how easy the thing is to take care of, I would have bought a used one & saved a load O $$$. The $$$ saved would pay for all kinds of tools( You gonna need them anyway). A little dinky compressor & a 1/2" impact, a 3/8ths impact & air ratchet, a manual impact screwdriver( about $8.00 at Harbor freight) & some wrenches & allen wrenches & screwdrivers, feeler gauges, drain [pan & bucket for used oil. You can keep it on the road & have fun tinkering. Paladin is playing with fire IMO, the cam chain is one thing that just doesnt forgive a lack of maintenance.

Theres no "tupperware" to peel off to get to the engine. The plug is hard to get to unless a simple little mod is made to one of the upper chrome pieces, Some just remove them & enjoy the shape of the engine,
Its a great little bike, It rips across town. Its light & nimble, the low seat is comforting to me, since my seat is close to the ground, too.It can be puit on the road, very succesfully. One member took his from Florida, to Nevada or Arizona,, cant remember, North to Canada, East to New York & back South to Florida.
Its a sound design, IMO, if it was a flaky bike, it wouldnt still be being built after 20 some odd years.

Welcome aboard..

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by beck on 12/03/08 at 15:59:46

frog,
I am new to the Savage also. It still has 0 miles put on by me. Mine is a '97 with only 5600 miles. Some items age does the damage to. My petcock diaphram that you have read about here was bad. I changed to the Raptor unit. The battery was shot when I got it. Mine had the famous oil leak in the head cover. I checked my cam chain tensioner and it was 15 mm out with a max of 17 mm. I was supprised at the tensioner wear. I did a mod similar to the famous one here (I am a certified welder). I have installed one of Lancers jet kits. I am in the process of installing a HD muffler. I don't think this bike was very well maintained by the previous owner and it had some outside storage time on it. I bought it right and even with my repairs I am still in it right. Would I do it again? You bet! There is always a project or 3 going in my garage. I have owned 5 HDs and one Honda. All of them required maintance too. Part of driving a bike is working on the bike. Some of the major things a first time motorcycle owner needs to realize :-/- Bike tires don't last like car tires. When a car tire goes flat you pull over. When a bike tire goes flat you go down. The moral :D- Keep good tires on your bike.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by WebsterMark on 12/03/08 at 20:05:48

The only problem I've had is when my brand new 2007 underwent a new bike 'prep' by the dealer who promptly put the front axle spacers on in reverse! Careful buying a Suzuki from a 'Harley only' shop populated by those who consider spending anything less than $20,000 for a bike blasphemy.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by sjaskow on 12/04/08 at 10:51:06

I bought my '06 in August of '07 with 0 miles from a dealer.

So far, the only things I've replaced are the front brake pads at 3380 miles and a broken shift rod at around 4000. I think the shift rod got bent when the dealership got the bike down off the display stand it was on, but I can't be sure. It definitely shifts a lot better than it did with the original one.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by Beatduck on 12/04/08 at 16:29:34

Well let's see...
I bought my 05 used in 07 with 2400 mi. on it.
Took it immediately on a 12,000 mi. trip cross country, and ride it almost all the time!has 25,000 on it now!
I've only changed oil, pads and tires.
Don't let it (or ANY engine) run out of oil. That's pretty much the only way you can kill this thing.

I haven't even checked the cam chain, battery! or valves yet. (don't worry, I will)
It's a MACHINE! Treat it as such, and I'm sure it will act like one!
But it is a really reliable and pretty simple one at that.
Besides tinkering is half the fun. If you don't like that sort of thing there is always someone out there that will do it for you. (For a fee!)
Good rule of thumb is just have it checked and oiled ever 3 months or so, and, whatever comes up comes up! Take care of it and don't let things go.
Run it often!! (Which you said you would, so no problem!)
Any repair cost is not that bad. Comparatively. (read: Harley)

Am I sounding "Mechanically" yet? ;D I could go on.......

Anyway, what I'm saying is: I love this bike! and, I would do anything for it!
Including fixing it!

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by verslagen1 on 12/04/08 at 17:23:02

I hope you got finely tuned ears for that tensioner.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by srinath on 12/04/08 at 17:34:20

Yes verslagen is right ... and here is addional things to worry about ...
The idiotic starter clutch mechanism.
And Peckerheads at suzuki will only sell the 80 tooth gear that always breaks with the starter clutch mechanism which never breaks ... yea, 165 bucks for the pack, 100 bucks of which you'd leave on your shelf ... never need it ... even on a 45K mile motor, the wear on the mating area on the gear was minimal.

Its a clear case of ... yea you need a rear tail light bulb ... oh, we only sell that along with the whole rear fender ... here you go, that will be 1500 bucks.
Cool.
Srinath.

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by Beatduck on 12/05/08 at 01:16:45

I think the tensioner is going to be a Christmas present to myself!
Planning on opening it up when I get back home!
I'm sure there will be other stuff too! YEAH!

You'll be hearing a lot from me soon........ :)

Title: Re: How common are s40 problems
Post by troglobil on 12/05/08 at 06:30:57

I bought mine new in July as my first bike. Originally I figured somewhere own the road I would trade for something bigger. But the more I ride, the more I like my S40. I do plan on an Atlanta to Cleveland trip this summer to visit family. I will buy the Air Hawk seat cushion for this trip, since after a few hours my butt starts to numb.My next oil change I will do my cam chain tensioner mod so no more worries there.