great size for mostly everything. I know guys with big baggers that never go anywhere. This a great bike for taking all the back roads and enjoying biking. Simple is good.
Im trying to get started into riding motorcycles and I really like the astethic of this bike. It looks simple and awesome, not looking for something crazy fast or like a harley
Im thinking of getting an 04 savage 650. Is it really worth it?, i had a yamaha vstar, it was 650, pretty slow for me, is this faster? I know is lighter so im guessing it is and are they good on highways?
The V-Star 650 is a great bike and is rightly loved, but it's kind of big and has a shaft drive, which is good for being low maintenance, but causes the bike to lose a bit of power. The S40 is mechanicaly an extremely simple bike so it's easy for a beginner to work on. It's very light, nimble, easy to ride, and super reliable.It's perfect for beginners, people who want a bare-bones bike or as a platform for a custom project.
I may have been a bit unclear when I said the V-Star 650 is kind of big. It's not a big bike - it's a big LEARNER'S bike. I don't know where you're from but here we have restrictions on which bikes learners can ride, and the V-Star is among the biggest. It's a great bike to learn on if you're hoping to one day move on to a bigger cruiser style motorcycle. There's a reason it's so popular - it'll teach you everything you need to know. Don't dismiss the S40, though. It's light, nimble and low maintenance, and its shorter wheel base makes it very easy to turn sharply while still being a cruiser.The belt drive is also something you'd be more likely to find on bigger cruisers, so it's good to get used to that. In the end the choice is yours. Both are great bikes and highly recommended to start on.
Definitely big enough for the highway, this was my first bike and I put over 27,000 miles on it commuting on the highway. Great first bike because of how light, maneuverable, and easy to work on it is. I am about to upgrade to something bigger now, maybe a Honda Valkyrie gl1500 or a Indian Scout. The new scouts are sexy!
yes, Def big enough for the highway...I jumped on the highway, ripped up to 75, passed a few people, and jumped Right off the highway.....sure maybe during Rushhour, people are Averaging around 80mph....THEN you'll feel like you need more power.....but honestly, most cruisers DO run out of steam around 90mph......
I actually went down to this. I got one for free off my mom because she's getting too old to ride. I had a vtx-1300 for a couple years, put 30,000 miles on it going all over California then got rid of it. I decided to commute with my mom's boulevard and just fell in love instantly. Im 6' and 230lbs and it still has plenty of power for me. It feels a little small but handles so great, has enough power to get me up to 90mph on freeway and is light enough to throw around any turn. Great starter bike, great commuter, and great if you just want to enjoy a curvy back road.
I wouldn't just say its a good starter bike (which it is), I'd say its a good bike full stop. I've had mine coming up to 2 years now, and I must say, I love it. Yes, there's been times where it would have been nice to have an extra gear for highway speeds, but its a great all-rounder. Still big enough to hang out with the bigger boys, but also nimble enough to zip through cities and towns with ease. Plus, it sounds mean when you put a Screamin' Eagle II on
“Might be a step up but not much”. Yeah, going from a 125cc to a 650cc. “Not much”. I think this whole “manly man” shit in the biking world is kinda toxic to new people just wanting to get around
I commute 40 miles a day on a 125 cc scooter. One road is 50 mph. I might get a bigger motorcycle so that I could travel on the Interstate highways around town at 70 mph. A 650 cc motorcycle would be plenty for such a task. Lighter is better and always has been.
I remember seeing the Savage at the dealer back in the 90s; my Dad ended up purchasing the Intruder 800 but to me, there's an appeal to having something different. That giant 650 single is a little different and I think pretty sweet. That S40 sounded pretty good in the video! Still, I hardly ever see any of these Suzuki cruisers around...
I just bought an 07 boulevard S40. I haven't ridden in probably 20 years or so. This bike is perfect for someone easing back into riding or for the first time rider. I don't think I'll ever sell it tho. I do love this bike.
S40 great little bike have 40k miles on mine Fork seals 2x. Tires too many to count Cam chain adjuster put in modded adjuster Carb rebuilt once Funnest bike I have I run the dog out of it Got it cheap a fun get me to work bike love it! By the way Praise The Lord!
Guy says a religious quote for 10 seconds and people get all fiery? Look if thats what the guy wants to believe, then more power to him. Thats why we have our 1st amendment as Americans.
I'm of a different religion than he is, and I love these videos. I respect him for believing strongly enough to include it into his videos, and I appreciate that he can give a quick talk about it and then move on to the bikes. He doesn't linger on it, and he doesn't make it seem pushy.
Not religious, not bothered. I quite like hearing the words of wisdom cos it's something different, and some of them do give you food for thought whether you're religious or not. Plus, Sean ain't preaching! It's not like he's saying we have to share his faith, he's just sharing it, which is what people do all the time (e.g. With their taste in bikes, music, TV).
Think I found my 1st bike. Love the fact that it's a smaller bike with some displacement - even if it's just a single thumper. I built a motorized bicycle with lights, speedometer/tach, etc but it's a 70cc 2 stroke that has to wind up pretty hard just to do 35mph. Would be nice to be able to keep up effortlessly no matter where I'm riding.
We have 2 S40's! She has a 2005. 71 years old and sold her Softail Slim. Too heavy for her now. Mine is a 2007. I sold my Road King. We live in the Florida Keys and speed limits are perfect for this bike. Lots of gravel parking lots make a light bike easier to ride.
Short form answer: Hell Yeah. Rode mine back and forth between Daytona and Savannah many times. Not quick or fast, but it's definitely big enough. Considerably bigger than the 250 Rebel; I owned one of those too. It just doesn't FEEL that much bigger. it ain't much on the freeway; it needs more cam. Mine benefited from a Mikuni flat-slide carb and Sportster muffler ... but it still needed more cam. If ya search, one might still be available; not a lot of aftermarket for this bike.
I had one a long time ago. I’m 6ft, seemed a little short in legroom for me, but I got by ok. Good power and low maintenance. Belt drive, no messy oiling. Was fun to ride. Low to the ground seemed going faster then actually going. I would think of getting another one.
Hi... I'm looking at one of these. How did you find the forward-positioned foot pegs and controls? I've never ridden a bike like this and wondered if the pegs were instinctual to use after a time. Thanks... B
Cool looking bike and very affordable. This is a “sleeper” bike. I believe it is better than a Rebel but more affordable. People in my area quite often mark up Rebels by $500 to a 1k above market value. Not so with S40’s. If it had fuel injection, I’d have one. I’d really like to avoid carb cleaning and carb rebuild projects which I fear are inevitable with our gas containing 10% ethanol.
@@JesseS. I burn gasahol in every motorcycle and car i own and it keeps the combustion chamber clean.No problems.Way more problems from leaded gas back in the day.
@@borisgraell There are pros and cons to engine braking. One con is you don't really activate your breaks hence your break lights dont turn on. And drivers behind you won't notice you are actually braking and have a chance to rear end you. One pro of engine braking is you save you braking disks.
I had a 1996 Suzuki Savage for like 10yrs. I just got rid of it a couple months ago and got a 2002 Honda Sabre VT1100C2. I upgraded. But I loved that Savage, I put a ton of miles on it too.
That's what I'm thinking too. I wanted a honda ruckus to buzz around the beach but I feel like pulling out in traffic on a main road(55mph) would be a little sketchy since the top speed is around 35-40 mph. This bike seems like it would give you a similar feeling of a small bike but would give you the power needed to feel safer. I also agree about it being a really cool platform for building a bobber. There are some really cool pics online of these bikes. I'm seriously thinking of cutting and stretching the frame and making it a hard tail/ridged. It would give your legs a little more 'breathing room.' Good luck on your build and be safe! :)
Single Thumper, Carb, Air Cooled. These things have made life easy to pick up the basic mechanical side of things. I would not say no to any bikes mentioned above either, who knows what the future holds! For now, I'm in Winter hibernation and just ordered a Springer for Suzie, she's in the shed without her front end, waiting patiently!
i compare mine to my old 68 bonneville in the 70s..love it it rides better than the old bonny. camparing it to a rebel is ridiculous. it has the same physical size as a sportster 883 or 1200. it cruises at 70 all day long. we need to quit saying they are beginners bikes or girl bikes. theyre just motorcycles of another size
You can call it entry level if you want. But I like lightweight cruisers. Thumpers are easy to work on. You dont have to sync carbs or take too much apart to fix it.
Suzuki Savage LS 650 P was my first "big" bike, and it served me well for almost three seasons. It's really light (173 kg dry weight), provides enough torque and power for cruising rural roads at 80 kmph as well as for riding highways (comfort level at 120 kmph is yet acceptable) and requires very little to no maintenance. I still have that one of mine and one day, I might get it back to operational state, just for fun 🙂
Just bought a 2002 savage650 5,000 miles and paid $800 bucks. I’m a pretty average sized guy. 5’10 180 and it’ll do highway speeds pretty easily. I’ll be doing 60 in 5th and still have plenty more if I need it. So far I love it. Enough power to get anywhere but small and forgiving enough for a beginner. Great bike and you can find great deals on them.
Question for any who've ridden both version: is there any advantage to the 5 speed over the older 4 speed model? Does 5th act as an overdrive at freeway/interstate speeds, or did they just shuffle the ratios around so you have to shift once more?
In the day, the magazines said the fifth was a much improved overdrive and the old 4 speed revved really high and was not smooth above 60 MPH. I have only ridden the 5 speed.
As a "big boy" rider, 6 ft 420 lbs. and a past owner of a dozen bikes, the issue I would have with an S40 is seat height for a beginner. I weighted 305 when I bought a ft500 Ascot single and loved the bike, 50 mpg, would run 105 (indicated) on a mile run with me lying on the tank. I have had 2 1520 Valkyries, a gold wing standard 1984, and 2 Intruder 1500's and a Kawa Voyager 1200 dresser. I saw a 500 lb 6'10 guy on a big block Boss Hoss in Daytona, he still looked big for the bike--LOL I would recommend a gl1200 interstate, or a Voyager 1200 for a beginner rider that size, lose the rear box to make getting on and off easier, lowers the center of gravity a bit ---and at approximately 80 hp flywheel, they would be safe on the expressway. I loved my Intruder 1500's, but only 50 hp and quite a shaker--the vibration gets old after a couple of hours--but a great bar hopper bike!!! Ride single only until you are comfortable with bikes, size, wt, practiced emergency braking and learned with the hell "counter steering" is all about!!! Best of luck.
Youll feel big on it but it is an awesome bike. The yamaha vstar 650 or the honda shadows are easy to find used and cheap to learn on. And they feel much bigger without really having alot more power. Honestly the vstar classic is a big feeling bike you could stay on for years and its stilll really light and the power wont suprise you
"Nothing to counterbalance..." I thought Suzuki had built a counterweight to reduce vibration at low rev? I didn't have one but two Suzuki "Savage" with a Yamaha 535cc in between. Since I had a 650cc BMW Scarver & I'm now riding a Yamaha MT03 660cc mono cylinder. I loved the Suzuki & as I'm getting 74, I think I might end my rider life with a third Suzuki Boulevard 40. It's the perfect city bike with its KISS design (Keep It Simple, Stupid!). Single cylinder, carb & above all a belt instead of a chain! Dream bike for a lazy old fart like me, provided you check oil level & do the normal maintenance. Also, my wife loved it with its backrest & relaxed position...
If it ain't big enough, chop the rear off and stretch it with a hard tail. I have an '01 Rebel that had 4100~ miles. I put 400~ on it before I had to tear into it and rebuild the forks, carb and the wiring on the rear lights.
Matt Higgins I’m planning on taking the msf course when I have time off! I ended up purchasing a 2009 883 xl custom with less than 2000 miles and I love it
I have a 2002 Savage. I am 56 years old. I have had some bigger bikes in my lifetime but I don't have any problems riding a bike with a 40 inch thumper engine. My nephew has rode it too. He has had two 800 ccs. Marauders. He likes this bike also
highways and interstates aren't the same thing all over the country. partially technical distinction, partially local usage of terms. I think, but won't swear to it, that high ways are divided and limited access roadways. Google defines it: "a main road, especially one connecting major towns or cities." that seems a bit vague, though.
Sean, I like what you Preach! The Savage is a Revelation! It is an alpha & omega bike. It's very user friendly for a beginner or alpha rider. And it's ideal for an older & experienced or omega rider who still wants to ride but could do without the bulk & weight of a cruiser, bagger or a very tall adventure type bike.
Got a s40 awhile back after my dad could no longer ride I did some mods sofar it's such a easy bike to work on i love it and am glad I got it over my brother's
Probably going to be my second first bike (had a knee injury years ago and sold my first bike). I love air cooled engines and eventually want to work up to having a CB1100 but the S40 has a lot of character and a little more power than the bike I used to have.
I have had one for 1 session I love it I have been writing for a few years now. On a different bike this one I definitely enjoy more however i will say it does lack a little bit in top and an acceleration. It is still A-blast and I love it
Lol I really appreciate you making this video I own a 2003 s40 it's my first bike I got when I was 18 19 now working on her to go fast because it's not about the best bike it's about how much I really cherish her and she's my first.
As long as I can accept the looks, I'd take a low mileage older bike over a one yr old bike with 50k miles in it, then again, depending on the asking price...
@@traviswh was my first bike and is probably the best choice. rebel 250 is good too but s40 is more comfortable imo.. wouldn't recommend if your a bigger guy though as it is a smaller bike
the things that troubles me is the horsepower: it's got just 30, which for a 650cc is a very small amount, in comparison the 535cc virago has 10 more; either way I'm gonna choose between these two
Help. Clarify please. It's a one-person bike. Forward pegs available. Sportster 883 is 50% heavier. Can I change seats? Sure Could I ride highway right lane? Sure - is it a good $2,000-$3,000 bike? Maybe $3,500?? First bike for the weekend country back roads therapy?
My coworker has one for his daughter and i rode it and im 6' 3" and my legs were super cramped. But could also be a different seat setup. Definitely quick for a little single cruiser.
It is big enough for a man - consider this.. Harley Davidson 883 Sportster, is 2 inches longer, seat height is about the same, but weights 200lbs more than the Suzuki (580lbs vs 380lbs).. Carburetor version of the Sportser develops 45 foot pounds of torque (newer fuel injection versions about 50).. Suzuki develops 37 foot pounds of torque.. I am not sure what RPM the Sportster reaches top torque, but the Suzuki reaches 37 foot pounds of torque at around 3400 RPM - which means that just off idle you probably have around 1/2 or around 18 or 19 which is plenty to move the 380 lbs (meaning that you don't have to rev the daylights out of it to get moving).. The weight to torque ratio is about 12lbs per 1 foot pounds of torque for the Sportster and about 10 lbs for the Suzuki - so the Suzuki has a better power/torque to weight ratio.. I have not tried it, but I would venture to say that you can lug the Suzuki down lower in a higher gear and accelerate on upwards without it bucking or stalling.. Which means you don't have to scramble to downshift if you happen to be in a taller gear (this is a benefit for everyone including beginners).. There is just something magical about a single cylinder thumper that just can't be explained, but fun to experience..
Looks like a great starter bike? I have seen them used on craigslist for 1000 to 1500 dollars. I'm sure you could sell it in a year or two for around the same price you payed??
I've been thinking of getting one of these because they are simple, easy to work on, low maintenance. But I'm a big guy. I don't know if it is big enough to be comfortable. This guy doesn't address that very well in this video.
I have the same Savage 650 1998 since 2002... 185 thousand kilometers through Brazil and the south of South America. Simple, basic and amazing motorcycle.
had a 2004 s40 i loved riding but i also had a couple of cars. A kid i worked with crashed his bike on the way to work one evening, he was ok but the bike was totalled. I gave him my s40 to help him out; within a year someone had ripped it off at his apartment. I sure miss that bike and at age 72 I am contemplating getting another one
I rode a tiny little cbr125 for my first bike. it only had a top speed of like 75mph but i didnt care, I loved that bike! Might have gone faster with a lighter rider. I was about 185lbs when i had the cbr.
I bought a new 2018 leftover,just waiting for dealer to deliver.i plan on taking it to work once a week to save on gas plus my Harley is too loud as I leave for work around 5am
Short answer, yes. Some rider pegs would be nice, to let ya stretch out a bit; but I rode my Savage between Savannah and Daytona several times, no problem.
The way I see that bike, if you're a small person and you want a cruiser that's manageable and still has a decent amount of power, maybe you've been riding a Rebel and you want to upgrade without getting a huge bike, it's a good choice. Single cylinder bikes are cheaper to maintain too.
Im not a religious man but I can appreciate your kind "words of wisdom". The s40 seems like it would be the perfect commuter bike with an ability to run comfortably on the highway. Is that a good interpretation?
It's good for old farts like me who are old - don't want anything too heavy, easy to maintain, too old for the T-Dub etc. Keep us types in mind - although you do normally which is why I watch. Best, Pete.
I’ve stopped listening when people use words like ‘step up’ or ‘upgrade’ or ‘entry level’. Apparently everything I like is entry level but as someone who rides everyday rain or shine (or black ice), I like what I like. As a big boy, the S40 is my favorite so far. Just yesterday I dropped it into 4th and sped up to 80 to pass someone going up hill with a passenger on the back (another dude). That’s all I need.
Smoooooth is the LAST thing I want from a motorcycle. The Suzuki S40 could be a great bike if it had tubeless tires and if they fixed the cam chain tensioner problem. They've known about it since 1987, but never fixed it. Despite it's much larger displacement, it's performance is no better than the 234cc Honda Rebel. The Rebels short stroke twin revs like crazy, and will easily pull ahead of the S40 from a stop. The S40 eventually catches up, and top speed for both is about the same. The short stroke twin in the Rebel can handle much higher rpms than the big single in the S40. The Rebel is better for shorter riders, the S40 is better for taller riders. But there is more to riding a motorcycle than spec sheet performance. I don't care what the power is. For me it's about the "experience" the sound, the feel, and how it makes you feel. That is why I ride Harleys. The whole bike shakes and they make a beautiful sound. The Rebel is too smooth and quiet. The S40 is better, but if you really want to experience a REAL motorcycle, get a used 883 Harley Sportster. It's the smallest bike you can get that sounds and feels like a motorcycle should. And you can customize it a million different ways if that is your thing.
My first bike was a 1981 Yamaha 400. Can’t remember the model. Then I bought a 1983 Honda Silverwing 500. Then I bought my 2003 Suzuki Savage new. I haven’t bought another bike since.
Talking of thumpers, I own a Royal Enfield Classic 500. I like the simplicity of these kind of bikes, and my choice stood between the R.E. and this Savage. I chose the R.E. because of the classic charm. On the other hand, I still very much like this Japanese stunner. A very odd kind of animal really. A kind of old fashioned motor set up but a much more modern design. The Suzuki has less vibration too…😊
I hade one im buying another it felt a lot like i was riding my dirt bike light and just enough power for the hiway plus it is cheap and easy to mod. God bless
It's a step up from an old rebel. Now the new rebel is a step up from the S40. Would it be a good option for a person of small stature? It's small to me, but I like the thumper. It would be cool if it was bigger, but probably vibrate me to death!
Aside from looks, this is more of a bike than a Royal Enfield Bullet or similar. While the RE bikes are new with warranties, these are likely 1/3 of the price used.
great size for mostly everything. I know guys with big baggers that never go anywhere. This a great bike for taking all the back roads and enjoying biking. Simple is good.
Im trying to get started into riding motorcycles and I really like the astethic of this bike. It looks simple and awesome, not looking for something crazy fast or like a harley
Im thinking of getting an 04 savage 650. Is it really worth it?, i had a yamaha vstar, it was 650, pretty slow for me, is this faster? I know is lighter so im guessing it is and are they good on highways?
@@chuy5152no and no
I went from a grom to a s40. It’s a huge upgrade. From going 50mph fully pinned to being able to hit 80mph with ease.
The V-Star 650 is a great bike and is rightly loved, but it's kind of big and has a shaft drive, which is good for being low maintenance, but causes the bike to lose a bit of power. The S40 is mechanicaly an extremely simple bike so it's easy for a beginner to work on. It's very light, nimble, easy to ride, and super reliable.It's perfect for beginners, people who want a bare-bones bike or as a platform for a custom project.
I may have been a bit unclear when I said the V-Star 650 is kind of big. It's not a big bike - it's a big LEARNER'S bike. I don't know where you're from but here we have restrictions on which bikes learners can ride, and the V-Star is among the biggest. It's a great bike to learn on if you're hoping to one day move on to a bigger cruiser style motorcycle. There's a reason it's so popular - it'll teach you everything you need to know.
Don't dismiss the S40, though. It's light, nimble and low maintenance, and its shorter wheel base makes it very easy to turn sharply while still being a cruiser.The belt drive is also something you'd be more likely to find on bigger cruisers, so it's good to get used to that.
In the end the choice is yours. Both are great bikes and highly recommended to start on.
The 650 V Star, of course, is long gone. Too bad.
Definitely big enough for the highway, this was my first bike and I put over 27,000 miles on it commuting on the highway. Great first bike because of how light, maneuverable, and easy to work on it is. I am about to upgrade to something bigger now, maybe a Honda Valkyrie gl1500 or a Indian Scout. The new scouts are sexy!
yes, Def big enough for the highway...I jumped on the highway, ripped up to 75, passed a few people, and jumped Right off the highway.....sure maybe during Rushhour, people are Averaging around 80mph....THEN you'll feel like you need more power.....but honestly, most cruisers DO run out of steam around 90mph......
I actually went down to this. I got one for free off my mom because she's getting too old to ride. I had a vtx-1300 for a couple years, put 30,000 miles on it going all over California then got rid of it. I decided to commute with my mom's boulevard and just fell in love instantly. Im 6' and 230lbs and it still has plenty of power for me. It feels a little small but handles so great, has enough power to get me up to 90mph on freeway and is light enough to throw around any turn. Great starter bike, great commuter, and great if you just want to enjoy a curvy back road.
I wouldn't just say its a good starter bike (which it is), I'd say its a good bike full stop. I've had mine coming up to 2 years now, and I must say, I love it. Yes, there's been times where it would have been nice to have an extra gear for highway speeds, but its a great all-rounder.
Still big enough to hang out with the bigger boys, but also nimble enough to zip through cities and towns with ease. Plus, it sounds mean when you put a Screamin' Eagle II on
“Might be a step up but not much”. Yeah, going from a 125cc to a 650cc. “Not much”. I think this whole “manly man” shit in the biking world is kinda toxic to new people just wanting to get around
I commute 40 miles a day on a 125 cc scooter. One road is 50 mph. I might get a bigger motorcycle so that I could travel on the Interstate highways around town at 70 mph. A 650 cc motorcycle would be plenty for such a task. Lighter is better and always has been.
I remember seeing the Savage at the dealer back in the 90s; my Dad ended up purchasing the Intruder 800 but to me, there's an appeal to having something different. That giant 650 single is a little different and I think pretty sweet. That S40 sounded pretty good in the video! Still, I hardly ever see any of these Suzuki cruisers around...
I’ve got an 83 Suzuki GS650 GL kitted out for touring - or shopping!
I own one oh these, they have flaws but still great
I just bought an 07 boulevard S40. I haven't ridden in probably 20 years or so. This bike is perfect for someone easing back into riding or for the first time rider. I don't think I'll ever sell it tho. I do love this bike.
S40 great little bike have 40k miles on mine
Fork seals 2x. Tires too many to count
Cam chain adjuster put in modded adjuster
Carb rebuilt once
Funnest bike I have I run the dog out of it
Got it cheap a fun get me to work bike love it!
By the way Praise The Lord!
Guy says a religious quote for 10 seconds and people get all fiery? Look if thats what the guy wants to believe, then more power to him. Thats why we have our 1st amendment as Americans.
ReyTheGreat I'm not religious, but I enjoy his words of wisdom pre-ride.
I'm of a different religion than he is, and I love these videos. I respect him for believing strongly enough to include it into his videos, and I appreciate that he can give a quick talk about it and then move on to the bikes. He doesn't linger on it, and he doesn't make it seem pushy.
I just skip it, no need to whine.
Not religious, not bothered. I quite like hearing the words of wisdom cos it's something different, and some of them do give you food for thought whether you're religious or not. Plus, Sean ain't preaching! It's not like he's saying we have to share his faith, he's just sharing it, which is what people do all the time (e.g. With their taste in bikes, music, TV).
Hank Chou , So do I. I really enjoy that. And it’s His thing! More power to him! Great post Hank.
Think I found my 1st bike. Love the fact that it's a smaller bike with some displacement - even if it's just a single thumper. I built a motorized bicycle with lights, speedometer/tach, etc but it's a 70cc 2 stroke that has to wind up pretty hard just to do 35mph. Would be nice to be able to keep up effortlessly no matter where I'm riding.
i think this is a HUGE step up from the grom, the grom cant get on the highway, this thing can lol
We have 2 S40's! She has a 2005. 71 years old and sold her Softail Slim. Too heavy for her now. Mine is a 2007. I sold my Road King. We live in the Florida Keys and speed limits are perfect for this bike. Lots of gravel parking lots make a light bike easier to ride.
Your talk on starting with a grom and moving to a s40 is exactly what I did. I will tell it felt like a step up 100%. So funny you say that
Same here, was a big step up and I'm glad I did
Same here too. Got a 2021 Grom then a 2008 S40... lol 😆🤣
I went from a TW200 yaha and it is a big step up for me to a 650cc
Short form answer: Hell Yeah. Rode mine back and forth between Daytona and Savannah many times. Not quick or fast, but it's definitely big enough. Considerably bigger than the 250 Rebel; I owned one of those too. It just doesn't FEEL that much bigger. it ain't much on the freeway; it needs more cam. Mine benefited from a Mikuni flat-slide carb and Sportster muffler ... but it still needed more cam. If ya search, one might still be available; not a lot of aftermarket for this bike.
Im a smaller dude im like 5'7 ish and this bike is great, its the one I learned on and I still ride it almost everyday
Little fella
I had one a long time ago. I’m 6ft, seemed a little short in legroom for me, but I got by ok. Good power and low maintenance. Belt drive, no messy oiling. Was fun to ride. Low to the ground seemed going faster then actually going. I would think of getting another one.
Doug Est Do you have any recommendations for tall beginner riders
Hi... I'm looking at one of these. How did you find the forward-positioned foot pegs and controls? I've never ridden a bike like this and wondered if the pegs were instinctual to use after a time. Thanks... B
Cool looking bike and very affordable. This is a “sleeper” bike. I believe it is better than a Rebel but more affordable. People in my area quite often mark up Rebels by $500 to a 1k above market value. Not so with S40’s. If it had fuel injection, I’d have one. I’d really like to avoid carb cleaning and carb rebuild projects which I fear are inevitable with our gas containing 10% ethanol.
Mark M Ethanol keeps your engine and carb cleaner than non Ethanol gas.
If you are running ethanol gas..try Phase guard 4 made by CRC and add this to the gas or 91 octane marine gas for your bike.
@@deltabluesdavidraye it eats your seals
@@JesseS. Nonsense i have a 2001 v star 250 always did burn gasahol runs great still.
@@JesseS. I burn gasahol in every motorcycle and car i own and it keeps the combustion chamber clean.No problems.Way more problems from leaded gas back in the day.
You are the only motorcyclist I have ever seen that doesn't gear down to decelerate.
Nah bruh. A lot of people coast and brake.
What's better?
Gearing down is better as it allows the engine to do the braking rather than burn out your disks. Especially so if riding off road
@@borisgraell There are pros and cons to engine braking. One con is you don't really activate your breaks hence your break lights dont turn on. And drivers behind you won't notice you are actually braking and have a chance to rear end you. One pro of engine braking is you save you braking disks.
@@gerdz101 could the engine be damaged by engine braking? What about both at the same time, engine and pad braking?
I had a 1996 Suzuki Savage for like 10yrs. I just got rid of it a couple months ago and got a 2002 Honda Sabre VT1100C2. I upgraded. But I loved that Savage, I put a ton of miles on it too.
Just bought one to make my first Bobber! Absolutely best canvas to work on, customise and just simply pleasing!
That's what I'm thinking too. I wanted a honda ruckus to buzz around the beach but I feel like pulling out in traffic on a main road(55mph) would be a little sketchy since the top speed is around 35-40 mph. This bike seems like it would give you a similar feeling of a small bike but would give you the power needed to feel safer. I also agree about it being a really cool platform for building a bobber. There are some really cool pics online of these bikes. I'm seriously thinking of cutting and stretching the frame and making it a hard tail/ridged. It would give your legs a little more 'breathing room.' Good luck on your build and be safe! :)
that's debatable. the Yamaha xs650, Harley sportster or any Honda cb is the best canvas to work on. imo
Single Thumper, Carb, Air Cooled.
These things have made life easy to pick up the basic mechanical side of things.
I would not say no to any bikes mentioned above either, who knows what the future holds!
For now, I'm in Winter hibernation and just ordered a Springer for Suzie, she's in the shed without her front end, waiting patiently!
I agree ,did that myself ,easy job and looks great imo😊
i compare mine to my old 68 bonneville in the 70s..love it it rides better than the old bonny. camparing it to a rebel is ridiculous. it has the same physical size as a sportster 883 or 1200. it cruises at 70 all day long. we need to quit saying they are beginners bikes or girl bikes. theyre just motorcycles of another size
I own one of these, it’s a great little bike. Their tough and a lot of fun for a new rider
You can call it entry level if you want. But I like lightweight cruisers. Thumpers are easy to work on. You dont have to sync carbs or take too much apart to fix it.
So yeah I'm stepping up from the rebel and was looking for more power but still light weight for a short girl like me, thanks for the ride 🏍
I’m a new rider and this is what I bought. It’s great to learn on. I am loving it.
How is it for highway speeds and driving?
Suzuki Savage LS 650 P was my first "big" bike, and it served me well for almost three seasons. It's really light (173 kg dry weight), provides enough torque and power for cruising rural roads at 80 kmph as well as for riding highways (comfort level at 120 kmph is yet acceptable) and requires very little to no maintenance. I still have that one of mine and one day, I might get it back to operational state, just for fun 🙂
Just bought a 2002 savage650 5,000 miles and paid $800 bucks. I’m a pretty average sized guy. 5’10 180 and it’ll do highway speeds pretty easily. I’ll be doing 60 in 5th and still have plenty more if I need it. So far I love it. Enough power to get anywhere but small and forgiving enough for a beginner. Great bike and you can find great deals on them.
Looking for a first motorcycle.
I luv the mechanical simplicity.
1 bbl, 1 carb..
make it a 1 seater bobber.
An owner & $50 tools can maintain
Question for any who've ridden both version: is there any advantage to the 5 speed over the older 4 speed model? Does 5th act as an overdrive at freeway/interstate speeds, or did they just shuffle the ratios around so you have to shift once more?
In the day, the magazines said the fifth was a much improved overdrive and the old 4 speed revved really high and was not smooth above 60 MPH. I have only ridden the 5 speed.
@@Dr_Reason Thank you. 👍
good for a commuter bike it has all them torque down low, the seat and riding posture is comfortable, good on gas
I'm considering purchasing an S40 boulevard for my first bike. I'm 6'5 440 lbs. Hope it works out since it's an entry level, can't be that bad.
Doom Guy haha
As a "big boy" rider, 6 ft 420 lbs. and a past owner of a dozen bikes, the issue I would have with an S40 is seat height for a beginner. I weighted 305 when I bought a ft500 Ascot single and loved the bike, 50 mpg, would run 105 (indicated) on a mile run with me lying on the tank. I have had 2 1520 Valkyries, a gold wing standard 1984, and 2 Intruder 1500's and a Kawa Voyager 1200 dresser. I saw a 500 lb 6'10 guy on a big block Boss Hoss in Daytona, he still looked big for the bike--LOL I would recommend a gl1200 interstate, or a Voyager 1200 for a beginner rider that size, lose the rear box to make getting on and off easier, lowers the center of gravity a bit ---and at approximately 80 hp flywheel, they would be safe on the expressway. I loved my Intruder 1500's, but only 50 hp and quite a shaker--the vibration gets old after a couple of hours--but a great bar hopper bike!!! Ride single only until you are comfortable with bikes, size, wt, practiced emergency braking and learned with the hell "counter steering" is all about!!! Best of luck.
Youll feel big on it but it is an awesome bike. The yamaha vstar 650 or the honda shadows are easy to find used and cheap to learn on. And they feel much bigger without really having alot more power. Honestly the vstar classic is a big feeling bike you could stay on for years and its stilll really light and the power wont suprise you
Trisdoo o You way to big
your 300b to big..
"Nothing to counterbalance..." I thought Suzuki had built a counterweight to reduce vibration at low rev? I didn't have one but two Suzuki "Savage" with a Yamaha 535cc in between. Since I had a 650cc BMW Scarver & I'm now riding a Yamaha MT03 660cc mono cylinder. I loved the Suzuki & as I'm getting 74, I think I might end my rider life with a third Suzuki Boulevard 40. It's the perfect city bike with its KISS design (Keep It Simple, Stupid!). Single cylinder, carb & above all a belt instead of a chain! Dream bike for a lazy old fart like me, provided you check oil level & do the normal maintenance. Also, my wife loved it with its backrest & relaxed position...
If it ain't big enough, chop the rear off and stretch it with a hard tail.
I have an '01 Rebel that had 4100~ miles. I put 400~ on it before I had to tear into it and rebuild the forks, carb and the wiring on the rear lights.
Love your videos man, don't listen to all these negative Nancys in the comments. Keep it man. God Bless.
Swervin Skirvin
LoL 👍🏼
I took one of these from Denver to North Platt Nebraska and back in November of 09 without good gear. You don't know Pain! lol, Love this channel.
Glutton for punishment.
I know two guys Harry and Lloyd who took a 25 mL scooter from West Nebraska all the way to Aspen Colorado… That was punishment!
I might get the S40 tomorrow! It'll be my first motorcycle
Matt Higgins I’m planning on taking the msf course when I have time off! I ended up purchasing a 2009 883 xl custom with less than 2000 miles and I love it
I’m planning on getting a s40 tomorrow myself (four years later) did you grab yours?
@@memelove9838
How's the new bike going man?
@@sambland3903 love it! I’m a Honda motorcycle guy but this bike gets off nicely!
@@memelove9838
Good to hear man. Im tempted to get one too. Affordable, easy to maintain and modify. Reliable I've heard. A great beginners bike.
I have a 2002 Savage. I am 56 years old. I have had some bigger bikes in my lifetime but I don't have any problems riding a bike with a 40 inch thumper engine. My nephew has rode it too. He has had two 800 ccs. Marauders. He likes this bike also
I currently have a, 2001 Ls650 and I love it !!!
I was waiting for him to ride on the highway. WTF?
highways and interstates aren't the same thing all over the country. partially technical distinction, partially local usage of terms. I think, but won't swear to it, that high ways are divided and limited access roadways. Google defines it: "a main road, especially one connecting major towns or cities." that seems a bit vague, though.
Sean, I like what you Preach! The Savage is a Revelation! It is an alpha & omega bike. It's very user friendly for a beginner or alpha rider. And it's ideal for an older & experienced or omega rider who still wants to ride but could do without the bulk & weight of a cruiser, bagger or a very tall adventure type bike.
Thanks for the fun content and thank you for lifting up the name of the Lord. God bless you
i like my S40, can ride it for HOURS
Got a s40 awhile back after my dad could no longer ride I did some mods sofar it's such a easy bike to work on i love it and am glad I got it over my brother's
Do you love pulling the tank just to get at the spark plugs
Probably going to be my second first bike (had a knee injury years ago and sold my first bike). I love air cooled engines and eventually want to work up to having a CB1100 but the S40 has a lot of character and a little more power than the bike I used to have.
Although I wish they made a bigger displacement TU250 like a TU with a 650 twin or single.
Light weight, very comfortable and gets the job done 👍🏾
I have had one for 1 session I love it I have been writing for a few years now. On a different bike this one I definitely enjoy more however i will say it does lack a little bit in top and an acceleration. It is still A-blast and I love it
Lol I really appreciate you making this video I own a 2003 s40 it's my first bike I got when I was 18 19 now working on her to go fast because it's not about the best bike it's about how much I really cherish her and she's my first.
just picked one of these up.. 2007 s40 2k miles for 1100 bucks.. STEAL!!
that’s insane
As long as I can accept the looks, I'd take a low mileage older bike over a one yr old bike with 50k miles in it, then again, depending on the asking price...
@@bitronic1 it's really what it all comes down to
Was the Boulevard S40 your first bike? I'm looking for my first bike, & I'm thinking this might be an option.
@@traviswh was my first bike and is probably the best choice. rebel 250 is good too but s40 is more comfortable imo.. wouldn't recommend if your a bigger guy though as it is a smaller bike
the things that troubles me is the horsepower: it's got just 30, which for a 650cc is a very small amount, in comparison the 535cc virago has 10 more; either way I'm gonna choose between these two
That’s because it’s a single cylinder engine while the virago is a v-twin
Help. Clarify please.
It's a one-person bike.
Forward pegs available.
Sportster 883 is 50% heavier.
Can I change seats? Sure
Could I ride highway right lane? Sure
- is it a good $2,000-$3,000 bike? Maybe $3,500??
First bike for the weekend country back roads therapy?
My coworker has one for his daughter and i rode it and im 6' 3" and my legs were super cramped. But could also be a different seat setup. Definitely quick for a little single cruiser.
I just subbed! Love the fact you had a verse at the start of the video. Perfect way to start anything. Blessings brother!
I road my 2014 from colorado to california
Did you have a windshield? If so how much was it?
That's insane.
I'm not surprised you were praying, considering your plan was to go highway riding in jeans and a cotton T. Not a smart plan.
Ok mom
I just got a rebel to learn on I am getting very comfortable and want something with a little more power would this be a smooth transition
Me and my bro are looking into buying one of these man, I love these cruisers.
I have a 1988 savage and to be honest one of the most fun bikes I have ever rode plan on keeping it for long time
My favorite part of the video is you reading the verse! Great video
It is big enough for a man - consider this.. Harley Davidson 883 Sportster, is 2 inches longer, seat height is about the same, but weights 200lbs more than the Suzuki (580lbs vs 380lbs).. Carburetor version of the Sportser develops 45 foot pounds of torque (newer fuel injection versions about 50).. Suzuki develops 37 foot pounds of torque.. I am not sure what RPM the Sportster reaches top torque, but the Suzuki reaches 37 foot pounds of torque at around 3400 RPM - which means that just off idle you probably have around 1/2 or around 18 or 19 which is plenty to move the 380 lbs (meaning that you don't have to rev the daylights out of it to get moving).. The weight to torque ratio is about 12lbs per 1 foot pounds of torque for the Sportster and about 10 lbs for the Suzuki - so the Suzuki has a better power/torque to weight ratio.. I have not tried it, but I would venture to say that you can lug the Suzuki down lower in a higher gear and accelerate on upwards without it bucking or stalling.. Which means you don't have to scramble to downshift if you happen to be in a taller gear (this is a benefit for everyone including beginners).. There is just something magical about a single cylinder thumper that just can't be explained, but fun to experience..
Looks like a great starter bike? I have seen them used on craigslist for 1000 to 1500 dollars. I'm sure you could sell it in a year or two for around the same price you payed??
I wasn’t expecting the words of wisdom in the beginning but that was really appreciated! Haha
I had one..good Bike but really needs better handlebars (the oem is too narrow)
I've been thinking of getting one of these because they are simple, easy to work on, low maintenance. But I'm a big guy. I don't know if it is big enough to be comfortable. This guy doesn't address that very well in this video.
Considering s40 for my first bike. Good idea?
I have the same Savage 650 1998 since 2002... 185 thousand kilometers through Brazil and the south of South America. Simple, basic and amazing motorcycle.
My motorcycle seat is MY Church!!
Love how you started with Scripture.
I like my '18 Star 250 with the V-Twin. Simple bike that has that torquey low-end.
had a 2004 s40 i loved riding but i also had a couple of cars. A kid i worked with crashed his bike on the way to work one evening, he was ok but the bike was totalled. I gave him my s40 to help him out; within a year someone had ripped it off at his apartment. I sure miss that bike and at age 72 I am contemplating getting another one
No such thing as a bike that's "to small for a man"
I’m 6’4”, long trips on a small bike, riding in the squat position - because it’s so short - is pretty uncomfortable.
Kawasaki Eliminator 125
Jackson Krebbs then change the peg position dude. There’s nothing wrong with the length of the bike.
I rode a tiny little cbr125 for my first bike. it only had a top speed of like 75mph but i didnt care, I loved that bike! Might have gone faster with a lighter rider. I was about 185lbs when i had the cbr.
And this dude ain’t manly in any way. He thinks because he has a bush on his face that he’s so manly. Seems dorky as can be.
These bikes are the epitome of simple
I bought a new 2018 leftover,just waiting for dealer to deliver.i plan on taking it to work once a week to save on gas plus my Harley is too loud as I leave for work around 5am
Quit logging it, keep the r's up.
Advantage of a thumper is that it's easy to fix. 1 carburetor you don't have to sync them
Short answer, yes. Some rider pegs would be nice, to let ya stretch out a bit; but I rode my Savage between Savannah and Daytona several times, no problem.
I love my 650 in town, got the c50 for longer rides
The way I see that bike, if you're a small person and you want a cruiser that's manageable and still has a decent amount of power, maybe you've been riding a Rebel and you want to upgrade without getting a huge bike, it's a good choice. Single cylinder bikes are cheaper to maintain too.
I got a s50 with is a 800cc. great bike, got plenty of get up and go but it’s not way overpowered.
Thinking of getting the same. What's your experience with the bike so far?
Absolute joy in the city,Love my bully!
Im not a religious man but I can appreciate your kind "words of wisdom". The s40 seems like it would be the perfect commuter bike with an ability to run comfortably on the highway. Is that a good interpretation?
Yes, I use it as my commuter and I have taken it on a few short 3-4 hour trips. It will do highway speeds longer than you can.
There is something to be said for being able to use all of the power. They may laugh at you but deep inside you can laugh at them.
It's good for old farts like me who are old - don't want anything too heavy, easy to maintain, too old for the T-Dub etc. Keep us types in mind - although you do normally which is why I watch. Best, Pete.
I would feel like I am riding a lawn mower on this Bike. Have to have a V Twin . ?
I have one of these but it’s a custom bobber fully custom. It’s fun.
I’ve stopped listening when people use words like ‘step up’ or ‘upgrade’ or ‘entry level’. Apparently everything I like is entry level but as someone who rides everyday rain or shine (or black ice), I like what I like. As a big boy, the S40 is my favorite so far. Just yesterday I dropped it into 4th and sped up to 80 to pass someone going up hill with a passenger on the back (another dude). That’s all I need.
I'm 6'3 and lanky, looking for a good beginner cruiser for my height. I tried riding a rebel but was pretty tight. Would this bike fit me better?
Smoooooth is the LAST thing I want from a motorcycle. The Suzuki S40 could be a great bike if it had tubeless tires and if they fixed the cam chain tensioner problem. They've known about it since 1987, but never fixed it. Despite it's much larger displacement, it's performance is no better than the 234cc Honda Rebel. The Rebels short stroke twin revs like crazy, and will easily pull ahead of the S40 from a stop. The S40 eventually catches up, and top speed for both is about the same. The short stroke twin in the Rebel can handle much higher rpms than the big single in the S40. The Rebel is better for shorter riders, the S40 is better for taller riders. But there is more to riding a motorcycle than spec sheet performance. I don't care what the power is. For me it's about the "experience" the sound, the feel, and how it makes you feel. That is why I ride Harleys. The whole bike shakes and they make a beautiful sound. The Rebel is too smooth and quiet. The S40 is better, but if you really want to experience a REAL motorcycle, get a used 883 Harley Sportster. It's the smallest bike you can get that sounds and feels like a motorcycle should. And you can customize it a million different ways if that is your thing.
I like the motorcycle, even though I'm with 6,2 too big for it. Also the smooth sound. Maybe I can do a bobber seat on it and move it to the back?
I'm 6'2" and ride comfortable with a stock seat and 10" z-bars
@@benjamindraper6358 My boyfriend is 6'3 and he fits alright stock. move the seat back 2 inches and your golden.
My first bike was a 1981 Yamaha 400. Can’t remember the model. Then I bought a 1983 Honda Silverwing 500.
Then I bought my 2003 Suzuki Savage new. I haven’t bought another bike since.
Talking of thumpers, I own a Royal Enfield Classic 500. I like the simplicity of these kind of bikes, and my choice stood between the R.E. and this Savage.
I chose the R.E. because of the classic charm. On the other hand, I still very much like this Japanese stunner. A very odd kind of animal really. A kind of old fashioned motor set up but a much more modern design.
The Suzuki has less vibration too…😊
Yay we’re going to do a 0 to 60 in and they don’t do 0 to 60 and have a stupid little banter thing that’s great!
I hade one im buying another it felt a lot like i was riding my dirt bike light and just enough power for the hiway plus it is cheap and easy to mod. God bless
Great bike my wife has a bobbed savage and I ride it (the Savage 😊😊) as much as my fxr, its great fun .
It's a step up from an old rebel. Now the new rebel is a step up from the S40. Would it be a good option for a person of small stature? It's small to me, but I like the thumper. It would be cool if it was bigger, but probably vibrate me to death!
I think the new Rebels are very uncomfortable. The seat is too hard and small.
Every video i watch I expect to hear "Sorry to interrupt the test drive.." Its gonna be weird after the give away lol
Love my savage once I replaced the exhaust and got better air flow out of it.
What exhaust did you put on?
Aside from looks, this is more of a bike than a Royal Enfield Bullet or similar. While the RE bikes are new with warranties, these are likely 1/3 of the price used.
I own an S40. They are plenty smooth. They have a counter balancer.