Suzuki Savage reviews

The Savage is a great bike for begining riders and anyone taking short distance trips. However, if you buy one with the intention that you're getting a cross country "cruiser" then think again! Perhaps the biggest problem the Savage has is the single piston engine that will rattle your head off if you go much over 65MPH (and that's in it's highest gear too). I found this out the hard way on a trip from Denver to Vail (and back again). As a cross-country "cruiser" you will be very disapointed. But that's not all. The savage also falls short in one other very noticeable area -- the seat! If you intend to sit on it for more than a couple of hours you will regret every passing mile that you do so. I can't explain it, but on extended rides lasting more than say 2-hours, every mile that your butt has to be planted on the Savage's seat makes you think your tailbone is being slowly operated on by a sadistic acupuncturist. At first, you think it's the most comfortable thing ever but you soon discover it's something between Chinese torture and a root canal! Nevertheless, as a street bike "cruiser" and anything else for shorter distances, it's a great bike; especially if you are a begining rider. It's low center of gravity and light weight makes handeling the Savage a dream (and is partly why I bought mine). Weighing in at around 350-pounds you can probably even man-handle it if need be. I particularly like the overall size too since I don't have a particularly spacious garage. My older scooter actually takes up more space but my scooter is also pretty big as scooters go too. The Savage's footprint may be bigger, but it doesn't "seem" that way. If you are thinking about purchasing a Savage consider why you want it. If at all possible, rent one for a day or two and see what kind of workout your butt, brain, and teeth can take. Mine are still in tact, although I've had my doubts, but you won't be seeing me at any long-distance rally's on it either -- more likely, I'll be on my scooter! If you're looking for a "cruiser" that you can do some real traveling on then consider something bigger like an Intruder, Gold Wing, or even a Soft Tail! But if you're like me, learning to ride means getting something to "shift" and the Savage is absolutely perfect. My only problem with it is I don't think the Savage should be classified as a "cruiser" since it tends to wear out the rider way before the rider wears it out. ;-) Show less

My 99 is a blast. Bought it with 1100 miles, now 6500. For a mid size bike it has a bit of an attitude. Great starter or re-entry bike. Everyone loves the style. It handles everythin I throw at it. The power is predictable and usable, shifts cleanly, and sounds cool. I installed the factory headlight and turn signal louvers, and rear rack, Being a smaller bike, these touches add sparkle.The essence of motorcycling! After five months under cover in a garage, through our Buffalo winters, it starts quickly. My instructor at the motorcycle safety course loved it and called it the Torquemeister. He wanted to use it all the time during instruction. No leaks, rattles, or problems. I plan on a windshield and gel seat as my next upgrades. My buddy says it reminds him of his 69 Triumph Bonneville. Keep it up, Suzuki! Show less

Fellow Riders, I bought a new Savage last may and love riding it. I got a wind shield for it and had a Jardine pipe put on with new jets. For a new rider I feel this is a great running bike at any speed for the buck. It'll out do any other bike in its class. I ride it all over New England with great speeds and comfortability. This is going to be my first bike and my last. I'd like to here from other owners. Show less

I am new to motorcycling and bought a Savage because I didn't want to outgrow my first purchase. The Savage has proved to be an excellent choice. While I sometimes long for a V-twin for its smoother operation, everytime I ride the Savage, I walk away very pleased and impressed. The bike's strength is in the mountains where its power curve and handling are superb. I expect to keep my Savage for a long time to come. Show less

I bought my 1995 LS650 used with 2100 miles on the odometer. This is my first bike and the first motorcycle I have ridden. This is a great bike for learning to ride. The bike is lightweight(~350 lbs) and the seat height is low, allowing the rider to easily plant both feet firmly on the ground at starts and stops. At a bit over 6' and about 195 lbs, the bike is a bit small for me, but I really have no big issues with comfort during riding. The 652cc single cylider engine performs very well below 55 or 60 mph. The engine pulls strongly up to about 50 mph, after which it still pulls but with a bit less oomph. The five speed transmission is somewhat clunky in shifting and I have had the occasional issue with it not wanting to upshift to the next gear. This may well be an issue with the clutch/transmission on my bike. Braking is quite adequate. The Savage is a nice looking bike and it receives a lot of looks and elicits a lot of waves. The bike came with a Jardine exhaust installed. The Jardine is moderately loud and sounds good to my ear. I have performed the procedure to remove the white spacer from the carburetor to eliminate backfires I was experiencing. This had the added benefit of giving the bike a bit more low end punch. On the road the bike is very nice to ride, especially around town at speeds of 45 mph or lower. On the open road above 50 mph, the light weight of the bike allows it to get pushed around a good deal by wind, but it is a blast to ride and gives one a great feel for the road with great handling. All in all I am satisifed with the LS650 as my first bike. I hope to move up to something larger(hopefully a Triumph Bonneville America or Moto Guzzi Jackal) someday and my wife will ride the Savage. I think it would be perfect for her height and weight. Show less

I have to tell you I'm not completely happy with this bike but what can I say, you get what you pay for. I'll admit the single cylinder thumper has good "get up and go(for the price) but it backfires constantly, its clutch is awful and it leaks oil like it was made in the 1950s. Next time I get a cruiser I'll save up some money and get a real bike (a Harley). Show less

I have 7000 mi. on the clock of my little bike since I bought it new and it has been almost trouble free .It developed an oil leak on the right side of the head . I pulled the head cover off and discovered that it was a rubber access plug for the head bolt below that had came loose . I recoated it with silicon and pushed it back in and it hasn't leaked since .Thats not exactly a great design in my book suzuki and I think you could have come up with a better solution . I also changed out the muffler on mine so it could get rid of the exhaust gas easier .According to the speedo , it will now do 100 mph but barely . I also took it out on a 600 mile round trip and the bike did excellent except it can be a real butt killer. The main point is it is capable as a tourer if you want to go the distance and can stand a little discomfort . Knowing what I know now would I buy it again ? HELL YEAH !!! Show less

I wrote an earlier review after the first 2500 miles on my bike. Now I have 5400 miles on the odometer and I can't say enough good things about this bike. As a smaller motorcycle, it is extremely easy to handle both at slow and higher speeds. My only wish is that it had more power between 65 and 75 mph. I have had almost no mechanical problems so far and that persistant oil leak that seems to plague the LS650 Savage is absent from mine. For cruising around town, on the back roads and through the mountains, the Savage cannot be beat. I recommend this bike for anyone who is just starting out riding and for those who have been away from riding for a while and want to get back into the sport. I expect to keep my Savage until I am at least 70 years old or until I cannot ride anymore, whichever comes first. Show less

I was the previous owner of a Virago 250cc and really felt the quality was there. So what to do? I was going to purchase another Yamaha, a 650cc Custom. The one thing I could not get over was all of the plastic parts on the Custom. Even the head cover chromes are plastic. I was sure that this was done to save weight. Then I went to my local Suzuki dealer and noticed the Savage LS 650. I had never really considered a single. Then I got on my knees and noticed the fenders were metal as well as the other components on the handle bars. The height and weight were similar to the Virago, but there was an increase 400cc of thrust. The price was also $1500 less than the 650 Yamaha. that's what sold me. The bike is light and has a similiar displacement to the Custom and it's quicker off the line. Supertrapp exhaust as well as rejeting improved performance and it sounds good with 6 discs. It feels comfortable on the highway when it isn't too windy, and the bike will go about 95 mph with the exhaust improvement. The only sad part is the limited number of after market parts available. But with all the standard chrome, all one really needs is a functional crash bar. I gave my buddy's 2000 883 a run for it's money now and have only 50% of the cost. It gets alot of looks for it isn't a twin, but the long wheelbase gives it that distinctive style of a real cruiser. It's easy to maintain as well with a belt that lasts 50,000 miles. Good riding to you all. Show less

I just bought mine a few months ago and have been riding it constantly since. I think I put about 2000 miles on it already. I got a great price on a very good condition '96. Nice pull at the low end and fun for cruising around town. Perhaps with better tires it would make a perfect commuter - but as it is, the long wheelbase combined with its light weight makes the rear end feel a little unstable. Also the stock muffler definitely needs to go - I have already ordered a Jardine slip-on that is supposedly "harley-esque". All in all though, this bike is a spectacular value. Very easy to maintain, good-looking, easy to handle and enough power to get around town. If you're reading this in the early Spring of 2002, give me a ring and maybe I'll be willing to sell. Until then - safe riding! Show less