Boulevard, Bomb or Beaut?

**scumdog** · 5th December 2005, 23:33

Mate (yes I do have some -ok, one) is thinking of buying new Boulevard S40 650cc, anybody on KB got one or can tell me about them - pros and cons?

The guy thinking of buying one is about 5'5" and about 74kg so he's not too big for it, that's for real!!

He intends to use it daily and for local rides as opposed to big tours.

Comments??

**The_Dover** · 5th December 2005, 23:58

Fuck that, it's a horrible piece of shit.

Tell him to stretch to an M50, even his dwarf ass can reach the ground and he wont look like a total fagnuts. Even in the deep south with you red neck pig fuckers. (And pigs, not forgetting our mate SD!!)

Don't do it. Sell your ass and get a decent ride!!

**thehollowmen** · 6th December 2005, 06:45

guy here parks one around the corner every day.

He's chuffed with it but yeah, I'd push for the slightly bigger one.

**Lou Girardin** · 6th December 2005, 07:20

Originally Posted by scumdog

Mate (yes I do have some -ok, one) is thinking of buying new Boulevard S40 650cc, anybody on KB got one or can tell me about them - pros and cons?

The guy thinking of buying one is about 5'5" and about 74kg so he's not too big for it, that's for real!!

He intends to use it daily and for local rides as opposed to big tours.

Comments??

A 'friend' huh?
What's happened? The Sporty shat itself hauling the increased girth of your arse around since the US trip?

**Cookie** · 6th December 2005, 07:29

Powersportsnetwork have three owner-reviews here if you have not seen them already: http://tinyurl.com/a74q3

They seem happy enough with them (with some reservations).

I have heard the bars on the M50 are a long reach for some people.

Personally I would go along with The_Dover in terms of taste (although I could never put it as eloquently as him).

I would like an M50 when I get my full licence - any colour as long as it's BLACK.

**The_Dover** · 6th December 2005, 07:32

I dunno, Maurice reckons the blue is pretty darn sexy.....depending on your target market.

**magicfairy** · 6th December 2005, 07:41

I have one. (S40 - formally Savage)
Owned if for about 3 months. I am only 5ft tall, short legs and it is one of the few bikes I can get my feet down properly on. I rode scooters for years, so this really is my first "real bike". I tried a taller bike that I tippy toed, but I dropped it a few times, getting caught out on low ground, driveways and my confidence was shattered. I was on the verge of going back to a scooter till I was talked into the S40
I LOVE IT, use it to commute every day and the odd weekend ride. Hoping to extend that more as my confidence grows.

Light enough for a midget like me to throw around, very reliable. And quite frankly I don't care what people think about its looks, it was the right bike for me! From the moment I jumped on it I felt at home, really easy to ride.
Also very easy to work on and maintain. And very economical on gas.

I have fitted a ventura pack frame for carting stuff to work.

I imagine I will outgrow it and go to something with more power eventually but for now it was the right size at the right price. The 800 cc models were another $6000 new.

Faults - backfires horribly and front brakes squeak. The backfire can be gotten rid of by playing with a white spacer in the carb. (apparently, I just live with it for now)
All details on http://www.suzukisavage.com
Also no trip meter, fuel light or petrol guage. (What were they thinking) But I got round that by using a 4 digit luggage lock (another idea I picked up from the suzukisavage site) glued to the brake cylinder, just wind in the K's when I fill up each time. Petrol tank is very small, haven't run out yet but reckon I'd go 180-200ks on a tank.

And yes I do know how powerful bigger bikes are - my partner has a hayabusa that I do a lot of pillioning - including camping trips all round North and South Island. But I ride like a Nana and the S40 suits me and my pocket just fine

**White trash** · 6th December 2005, 07:51

Originally Posted by magicfairy

I have one. (S40 - formally Savage)
Owned if for about 3 months. I am only 5ft tall, .....blah blah blah.....................
And yes I do know how powerful bigger bikes are - my partner has a hayabusa that I do a lot of pillioning - including camping trips all round North and South Island. But I ride like a Nana and the S40 suits me and my pocket just fine

You bought a Savage! I'm fucken dis custard!

Nah good on ya girl, suits ya down to the ground. Might see ya at Wangas?

**zadok** · 6th December 2005, 08:04

I know someone with an M50 and it looks very nice. I reckon a wait for the new Kawasaki VN900 would be better but. It will be better equipt; discs all round, fuel injection, belt drive.

**Virago** · 6th December 2005, 08:22

Talked to a guy with one at the toy run at the weekend. He seemed very happy with it. They are "cheap and cheerful" bikes, light and very low.

Being a single banger, it still had a that "big sewing machine" sound.

For most people, money is the biggest contributing decision factor. But if your mate can afford it he should definately be able to handle something a bit bigger.

(I'm shorter than him!)

**Vagabond** · 6th December 2005, 08:34

Originally Posted by scumdog

Mate (yes I do have some -ok, one) is thinking of buying new Boulevard S40 650cc, anybody on KB got one or can tell me about them - pros and cons?

The guy thinking of buying one is about 5'5" and about 74kg so he's not too big for it, that's for real!!

He intends to use it daily and for local rides as opposed to big tours.

Comments??

Tell him to go for the S83 plenty power and easy to ride, I have one and only weigh 68kg and am around 1.68m tall

**White trash** · 6th December 2005, 08:34

Mate of my dads in Dunedin spent ages and a little bit of mony building a "Mildly annoyed" (I mean Savage? Come on!) into a chopper. It was a pretty cool looking bike untill he painted pink lace work onto the tank and called it "Sweet Rose", about then I lost my lunch.

**Devil** · 6th December 2005, 08:48

Had an M50 for a loan bike for a day. I thought it was a pretty neat bike. Not enough grunt for me, but I can see the appeal. Good looker too.

**cousa1** · 6th December 2005, 10:30

I take it your mate is not interested in a Harley? The sportster 883 low has the same seat height as the S40.

**scumdog** · 6th December 2005, 10:38

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

A 'friend' huh?
What's happened? The Sporty shat itself hauling the increased girth of your arse around since the US trip?

Oooh! you can be SUCH an unfeeling bitch Lou!! :eyepoke:

NO, it is not moi, it is another person, I am a foot taller and about 18 kg heavier!!

But you are right, my ass (will waist) increased in size as a result of 5 weeks lolly-gagging around the US of A and eating rich tucker and not exercising.

Now undergoing remedial 'torture' with running and mountain-biking