1986 SUZUKI LS650 SAVAGE

MAIL:
Kaplan Cycles LLC
200 West Main St. STE 4
Vernon, CT 06066

[crominion]

Another cool thing about these that impressed me back in the '80s when I first checked one out is that pretty much everything on the bike is metal. It was very common for fenders, side covers, etc. to be plastic on Japanese cruisers back then, so the Savage stood out in that respect. I'm sure plastic did/does the job, but it's way more satisfying to tap your fingernail on a fender or side cover and hear the TINK of metal.

[dolfan]

First street bike I bought, I just turned 16. That bike was my first taste of freedom. I loved that bike. That was in 86. It wasn't fast, but had a lot of power 650 in a single cylinder. I know it wasn't made for it, but I could wheelie it forever once you got it up in first gear you would just have to feather the throttle a little bit and it would stay up for as long as you wished. Lot of fun. It ended up getting stolen when I was 19 .

[keisenburg]

My first bike. Reliable and bullet proof. I still have my '86 Savage along with my '04 Intruder 1400. You can do anything to the Savage's. They make a hell of a bobber.

[chEz]

My first motorcycle was a 2006 S40 (same bike different name) I got for $1000! Was all stock when I got it, and in extremely good condition; I put an OEM Harley Dyna muffler on (part 65747-94) for $40, and removed the airbox snorkel. Rejetted to the pre-emissions factory jetting then upjetted the main and raised the needle to compensate. Really woke it up and improved torque and throttle response especially down low! Sounded really neat too, not very loud but definitely enhanced that unique big thumper sound.

It was an extremely easy bike to learn on, and didn't leave me wishing for more power like my friend's Rebel 250 did. Sadly had to sell it to make ends meet but I might snag another one in the future.

[thogger]

I got the suzuki boulevard s40 basically the same bike with a fifth gear. I just turned 35, 000 miles on mines. I'm checking the cam chain next week

[scudonepercenter]

I knew a dude with one of these. Always wondered how they rode. Thanks for the video Ken. Awesome stuff.

[kybourbonboy]

I had a 2014, virtually unchanged all those years. A FUN bike. Rejetted the carb, stock way too lean, that goosed it nicely. A lot of low end torque in that big single. Remember, it only weighs 380 pounds - so pulls great. A lot to be said for a bike this basic. So easy to service. Rode mine for 13, 000 miles in less than two years. All day at 55-65 without breathing hard. I would have kept it, but the wife said one bike at a time and I had to have that Scout.

[sonnyseabury]

I love the looks of this bike. It has a chopper/cruiser style look to it. No doubt, that the bike was well taken care of. This is the first time I ever saw one of these Suzuki's. I was unaware that they made them.

[jasonbentley]

I had one for a couple of years as my first bike. Fantastic 👍

[polacocc]

I have the same Savage 650 1998 since 2002... 185 thousand kilometers through Brazil and the south of South America...

[rockthesix]

I had an '87 which looked just like this one. What stood out to me was how much torque it has. Never made me feel that i needed more power. Only dislike of it was the buckhorn handlebars, never occured to me back then to switch em out.

[paulnicholson]

my son has one in our garage. it is fun to ride. Doesn't look like that though.

[duanetrivett]

I remember when these first came out . I always liked them and thought it would be a great bike for a young man just starting out. I would not mind having one now!

[michaelelse]

💥 S 💨 A 💨 V 💨 A 💨 G 💨 E 💥
💥 F 💨O💨 R💨E💨V💨E💨 R 💥

[closedcasketcustoms]

Great bikes, super reliable, and there's so many odd things you can do with it because a lot of parts crossover from other models. I got a 2006 that's a scrambler project, converted to a chain drive using GS 500 parts, 13" rear piggyback shocks, 18" rear wheel conversion using the GS hub and re spoked, custom flat seat subframe. Just trying to figure out some inverted forks for it now. Can find these super cheap and you can squeeze some more power out of that 650. The savage forums have a heap of info but a great platform for customizing, almost like zuki's version of the XS.

[MEMKI]

In almost 40 years this bike hasn't changed at all!

[seHi]

This IS a disabled veterans dream.

That is YOU don't have to give up riding.

I have 2 Harleys & a dual purpose 250cc bike.

The 250 is for days I'm in a lot of pain but want to get Riding Therapy.

Oor when weather changes here in Pennsylvania - winter and I'm just not up to a 400 to 800 pound motorcycle.

IF you close your eyes and just listen to this Thumper.... it echoes the big singles from the 1930s to the late 1960's - a bygone era.

Keep it this way or custom it. Either way I'M NOT GIVING UP RIDING.

THANKS KEN,
Johnny Boy
Disabled Veteran
Beirut Veteran

[travisguide]

I remember seeing the savage for the first time thinking what a interesting engine configuration

[grantkokich]

Yes i remember when the savage came out. Quite a novelty at the time. Also came in a 450cc version.

[SkyTeam]

The paint blemishes on the fuel tank most likely it was fuel over topping from refueling throughout the years