Savage for Tall Guy?

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LtJer31 · #1 Unread post by **LtJer31** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:14 am

I have the chance to pick up a 1987 Savage 650 with 6k on it for under $1k.

I am 6'1" 220 lbs. Will this bike be too small for me?

I am not looking to commute with it. Just weekend rides of 200 miles or less on non-interstate roads.

jonnythan · #2 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:21 am

Single-cylinder 650?? Thump thump thump!

It's a nice looking bike. Can you sit on it and decide?

jstark47 · #3 Unread post by **jstark47** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:25 am

Did you ever sit on a Savage? If you can't sit on this bike, find a Suzuki dealership and sit on a Boulevard S40, it's close to the same bike. I'm your size, and a Savage would be uncomfortably small for me, and I have short legs and a long torso relatively speaking. Your tolerance for being folded up on a smaller bike might be greater than mine. Ultimately it's what feels comfortable to you, and only you can decide that.

beardking · #4 Unread post by **beardking** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:41 am

Not to intrude, but since the question is about the Savage, how about this one. A short, fat guy? 290/ 5'8" Will the poor little Savage cough and wheeze and then die, or will it be able to drag me around comfortably?

gsJack · #5 Unread post by **gsJack** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:06 am

LtJer31, I spent considerable time sitting on the S40 at the bike show last winter, I'm thinking of lowering myself to a cruiser one of these days. Tall bikes are getting taller and I'm getting shorter.

The S40 aka Savage aka LS650 reminded me of my old 81 CM400A Hondamatic. The CM400 was really a bit small for me at 6' 2" and 235# back in 1990, but it was like new and only had 2k miles on it and cost only $600 and I bought it and put another 96k miles on it. It had pull back bars like the old Savage and it would hit my knee if I didn't swing it out of the way for tight turns in parking lots or u-turns, etc. No problem once rolling though.

I was just under 6' tall and just over 250# last winter when I tried out that S40 and I am still seriously considering it. The current S40 has a flat handlebar now and misses my knees nicely, it feels a bit small but sitting on it was just like sitting on the old Hondamatic and I felt I could get comfortable on it for another 80-100k miles.

And beardking, the Savage should pull your 290# along easily, try one out and see how it feels to you, I'm used to small bikes having put my last 120k miles on a couple GS500s.

safety-boy · Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:10 am

I am 6' and rode a Savage with no problems (at least not _height_ problems) - hated the bike, but we had a bit of a history together...

Actually, if it is set up the same as the 2006, the pegs are far out enough to be comfortable, but not so you are too stretched out.

--Dave

Montymouse · Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:01 am

I'm 6.0 and 225lbs. I've only owned my S40 for a little over a month but I really like it. For me I don't think it's that small. It is easy to get on and off, easy to handle, and I don't feel cramped on it. I've gone on a few longer rides with friends and size wise no problems. But I will have to echo everyone else, You're not going to know until you sit on it and see how it feels.

beardking - not quite 290 but when I bought the bike I was 256 and it still pulled me around without issue, and had plenty of pull to get me on the freeway when I needed it to.

PatArmyRet · Tue Jul 03, 2007 2:18 pm

I'm a small guy, so I can't advise on the size question. However, I have a S40 and it is incredibly easy to handle, has great maneuverability and is perfect for the Virginia country roads - and also for my short commute to work in moderately heavy traffic.

I agree with the above, sit on it, and then you'll have a better idea.