Biker Tart needs Info.

[mini-thumper]

Suzuki LS650 Savage Yes or No?

I'm still working my way through the Eye-Spy book of Single Cylinder Motorcycles and this is one I haven't ticket off yet. Never had a Harley clone type cruiser either so could double tick against this one. Or maybe not!

Any info., opinions, or ridicule gratefully received! Are an open face helmet, waistcoat, rigger boots and key chains obligatory? Right where's that Village People LP...........

Cheers
Boyd

[squirrelciv]

Well why not you've cocked your leg over most everything else! Don't know much about the bike, but haven't heard anything terrible, and they're supposed to ride ok for a feet forward. 650 single might be a bit sluggish with all that frame mind.

Go for it matey, you know you'll only own it for a week anyway

[Gaylord]

No said Gaylord

[guest18]

Always sort of fancied one of them, never ridden one mind you!
The mags all slated them when new for being slow, but then they slated anything that wasn't the current weeks crotch rocket and two 'nths of a wotsit lighter/faster/more powerful than last weeks (clearly now inadequate) model 

I understand they are leisurely, reliable, limited ground clearance, very low and nowadays getting a bit long in the tooth.. bags a shot if you get one 

[guest40]

MMM sound nice tho and the one I was travelling with seemed to maintain legal speeds easily

[andy230]

Oh Buggery Feck Boyd!  Please no!!

You will look like a hideous caricature of a midlife crisis.  We will have to chip in and buy you a jacket with tassles, and an open-face hat.  And remember "Chrome don't get you home"

Forget about the power, that doesn't bother me.  It will be plenty quick enuff for what us real-world riders want. 

Gaylord says no.  I second that.

Perhaps you could get a less ridiculous silencer and maybe a set of clip-ons, and some black paint for the chrome.

a

ps.  If you do end up with one, I want a shot after Smudge      But only if I can borrow the Ray Bans, leather waist-coat, and tassly jacket, such that no-one recognises me

[SteveC#222]

Was this the sort of image you were aiming for Boyd? 




..errmm....I dunno...

[niblue]

Had a look at some pics, and while it's not my cup of tea it's the sort of thing my shortarse wife might like. The main problem though is I can't think of a good reason (other than perhaps cost or because it's a single) why you'd buy one of those instead of a Virago 535, as that's supposed to be pretty decent dynamically.

[Andy M]

Don't get a Moto Guzzi 750, get the (the no-swear software seems to remove a reference to the virago name and a well known blue pill ?? ) 535 or the Savage!

This could end up in rants, so a brief summary of the latest on the old boy's Guzzi:

MOT 2008: Pads worn out (replaced before MOT), disc said to be slightly warped.
Next 6 months; 2500 miles, brake works but isn't great.
June 2009: Disk and pads ordered.
August 2009: Parts actually arrive from Italy. The disk offset looks wrong but it turns out the axle spacer bush has been fitted the wrong way round since it left the factory in 2002. The pads sent are wrong because Guzzi switched design part way through 2002.

Italian POS.

That said, the riding position and laid back power delivery I could learn to live with. I think the Savage would be a decent enough ride.

Andy

[squirrelciv]

What happened there AndyM?? Where did that pent up anger about guzzi's come from, we're discussing the SUZUKI Savage and the only other bike I can see mentioned was the YAMAHA virago.

I think you might have issues matey

 

[Gaylord]

Re bandana chap picture, he seems to have a big helmet! There is a LS400 i saw for sale £1295? If the LS650 is too powerful.

yours Gaylord...,,,...

[trophydave]

Boyd,another no vote here.Horrible things,along with Viragos etc.

There was a good Savage at Ashby Folville a while back.Springer forks,rigid back end,tractor type seat and a sidecar attached,it looked like a proper old bike rather than a pretend chopper.

Curious Dave

[mini-thumper]

The more I think about it I'm guessing "No!" might be the answer. I think it will be way too small/underpowered for my less than aerodynamic physique, and even my thick skin isn't totally impenetrable. Thanks for all the usual constructive replies..........

Boyd

[Mark]

NO!

[002]

I can imagine Boyd wearing the Chaps and leather waistcoat with a Wolf airbrushed on the back.
Not to mention the bandana,fingerless gloves and shades,dont forget the leather panniers with tassles and lots of conches .

The Savage is Horrible.....but the 535 is actually a nice bike to ride with a tough engine.
Shame they didnt do a normal street type bike with that engine.

Jethro