Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Looked, and looked and looked for a decent used bike and came up empty. I was looking for something lighter around the 500 to 650 mark but there is little to none to choose from.

So, I looked at a new Suzuki s40. Good size, and a good price.

I know it's a 5 speed so I won't be taking any long trips on the highway (didn't plan to anyway). Question is, does it have any other drawbacks? I have heard from past owners that it is a GREAT starter bike and I know it will have a decent resale value in a couple of years.

Opinions??

tx waylander

If the size works for you, that's great. I find 'em a little small for me personally. The only real knock on the bike I hear is its tendency to backfire when throttling off. They come set up a little lean, and there's various solutions on the Savage/S40 boards.

I'm sure it would be fine on the highway.

When I did my MPG run - I was passed by a husband wife duo - him on some large cruiser and her on a Honda Rebel.

So, I'm sure the S40 would be fine on the highway.

RhadamYgg

The only drawbacks to the S40 in addtiion to a small frame (for a 650), is that it's a single cylinder engine (a thumper) so vibration can become uncomfortable as speed increases.

waylander wrote:Looked, and looked and looked for a decent used bike and came up empty. I was looking for something lighter around the 500 to 650 mark but there is little to none to choose from.

Assuming you mean cruisers, since you should be able to find plenty of sportbikes/standards less than 650 lbs. However, there are lots of bikes under 650lbs, so I'm very surprised you can't find a used one.

I know it's a 5 speed so I won't be taking any long trips on the highway (didn't plan to anyway).

A 5 speed isn't necessarily a problem for highway driving. Hell, 6 speed trannys weren't all that common until recently, and plenty of bikes still only have 5 speed trannys, and a few, like the Honda Shadow VLX, only have 4 speed trannys.

The S40 is a good bike, but there other options. A quick check of Craigslist in your area shows other bikes that fit your criteria. With doing a thorough search here are some examples:
http://edmonton.en.craigslist.ca/search ... maxAsk=max

http://edmonton.en.craigslist.ca/search ... maxAsk=max

http://edmonton.en.craigslist.ca/search ... maxAsk=max

http://edmonton.en.craigslist.ca/search ... maxAsk=max

http://edmonton.en.craigslist.ca/search ... maxAsk=max

All of those are bikes that weigh less than 650 lbs, and I couldn't find any S40s (aka Savage 650s) in your area.

Another bike to consider is the Vulcan 500 LTD.

It costs less and has more features with 2 cylinders instead of the thumper.

If money is not a problem, the Honda Shadow is a nice bike in that engine size range.

I am an older woman who is a beginner rider. I bought a 07 Suz S40. I love it. It handles great, not too big for me (I'm 5'4"). I've got it up to 70 mph on the highway and it vibrated a little but not too bad. My husband was behind me on his Vulcan 900 and he said I was going 80, so I'm not sure. Anyway, I enjoy riding it and so does my husband. He said that there was a lot of power for the bike. So, if you believe an older woman beginner rider, this is a great beginner bike.

My husband has been looking at Suzukis. How do you tell what size engine it has. Hondas have 250s, 650s, etc...

What is a S40, S83, etc...

I don't get it.

Katherine

Cubic inches.

Wind Rider wrote:My husband has been looking at Suzukis. How do you tell what size engine it has. Hondas have 250s, 650s, etc...

What is a S40, S83, etc...

I don't get it.

Katherine

Yep, like Hyperr said... Suzuki does it in cubic inches. The 40 is a 650cc engine, the 50 is an 800, the 90 is a 1500 the 83 is a 1400, and the 109 is an 1800. Also while most of those are V-Twins, the S40, or as it was previously known the LS650 or Savage 650 is a single cylinder thumper.
Wrider