2007 Suzuki S40: my wife's first bike.

[misterprofessionality]

Feel free to share any intimate knowledge you may have of this bike. I've already hooked her up with the Suzuki Savage forum, and she'll start posting there soon to increase her knowledge of the bike.

The short version of the story is that we were going to buy Honda for her but she did not score an endorsement out of her MSF (she completed it at least). Given that she didn't really master the skills to completion, we decided it would be best to get her a beater and let her work out her skills in practice on a bike that it would be OK to drop numerous times. Enter the S40. it's a janky looking bike and runs like a lawnmower on steroids, but I rode it home today and it's bizarrely charming. She gets to take it out and start experimenting and practicing tomorrow afternoon.

 

[pdedse]

I always wanted to try out an s40...but the same goes for about 20 other bikes. She may end up liking it so much you'll not need to "upgrade" for some time.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

There are RLETs on that whatever bike in the background?

- - -

I have seen quite of few women enjoy the S40. It is much more manageable for smaller body types. Thumpy, but good on fuel, and very economical to own. Sometimes a pain to start on cold mornings. Not super great on the freeway, but a hoot around town and rural roads. Maintenance for the 650 thumper can't get easier. I think the bike has good looks.

 

[Cormanus]

Congratulations MrsProfessionality. A fine first vehicle. I hope you (and MrP) enjoy it.

 

[misterprofessionality]

I always wanted to try out an s40...but the same goes for about 20 other bikes. She may end up liking it so much you'll not need to "upgrade" for some time.

The bike certainly has a lot of hidden capabilities, but you can't be fooled by its "650cc" engine. That thing is soundly outclassed by even the most basic modern 500cc engine. i'd say it's closer in power and acceleration equivalency to a 400.

top that off with it's solitary, ornery carb, and you can see how this particular model of motorcycle is a top-to-bottom teaching experience. if you're an experienced rider, the S40 feels like riding on some kind of claptrap contraption. the engine is the strongest brake. it's unbelievably narrow (i mean really really narrow. i feel like a slice of bread rolling down the highway). somehow all that adds up to it being quite fun and charming. my CB is all business, but this thing, with all its faults and obsolete design, feels really alive. it really talks to you when you're not operating it correctly. I think thats incredibly valuable to a first time rider.

There are RLETs on that whatever bike in the background?

- - -

I have seen quite of few women enjoy the S40. It is much more manageable for smaller body types. Thumpy, but good on fuel, and very economical to own. Sometimes a pain to start on cold mornings. Not super great on the freeway, but a hoot around town and rural roads. Maintenance for the 650 thumper can't get easier. I think the bike has good looks.

of course there are RLETs. it's only the simplest and easiest of mods, guaranteed to make your bike 128% safer according to 3 out of 5 pediatricians.

These things were considered heavily. She's not going to tough it through cold weather riding, so we don't have to worry about cold weather starts, and she's not super confident about the idea of freeway riding at this time either, so we're not going to focus on that. i don't mind saying, the bike was aquired for less than 1400 bucks. if she rode it for one year and then hocked it for 1k, it's a worthwhile investment.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

I always wanted to try out an s40...but the same goes for about 20 other bikes. She may end up liking it so much you'll not need to "upgrade" for some time.

The bike certainly has a lot of hidden capabilities, but you can't be fooled by its "650cc" engine. That thing is soundly outclassed by even the most basic modern 500cc engine. i'd say it's closer in power and acceleration equivalency to a 400.

top that off with it's solitary, ornery carb, and you can see how this particular model of motorcycle is a top-to-bottom teaching experience. if you're an experienced rider, the S40 feels like riding on some kind of claptrap contraption. the engine is the strongest brake. it's unbelievably narrow (i mean really really narrow. i feel like a slice of bread rolling down the highway). somehow all that adds up to it being quite fun and charming. my CB is all business, but this thing, with all its faults and obsolete design, feels really alive. it really talks to you when you're not operating it correctly. I think thats incredibly valuable to a first time rider.

There are RLETs on that whatever bike in the background?

- - -

I have seen quite of few women enjoy the S40. It is much more manageable for smaller body types. Thumpy, but good on fuel, and very economical to own. Sometimes a pain to start on cold mornings. Not super great on the freeway, but a hoot around town and rural roads. Maintenance for the 650 thumper can't get easier. I think the bike has good looks.

of course there are RLETs. it's only the simplest and easiest of mods, guaranteed to make your bike 128% safer according to 3 out of 5 pediatricians.

These things were considered heavily. She's not going to tough it through cold weather riding, so we don't have to worry about cold weather starts, and she's not super confident about the idea of freeway riding at this time either, so we're not going to focus on that. i don't mind saying, the bike was aquired for less than 1400 bucks. if she rode it for one year and then hocked it for 1k, it's a worthwhile investment.

Slice of bread down the road - lol.

I think you have positioned the S40 well. She'll settle in with it or not. Nevertheless, it is fundamentally motorcycle and I am sure she will get something out of that.

 

[misterprofessionality]

I always wanted to try out an s40...but the same goes for about 20 other bikes. She may end up liking it so much you'll not need to "upgrade" for some time.

The bike certainly has a lot of hidden capabilities, but you can't be fooled by its "650cc" engine. That thing is soundly outclassed by even the most basic modern 500cc engine. i'd say it's closer in power and acceleration equivalency to a 400.

top that off with it's solitary, ornery carb, and you can see how this particular model of motorcycle is a top-to-bottom teaching experience. if you're an experienced rider, the S40 feels like riding on some kind of claptrap contraption. the engine is the strongest brake. it's unbelievably narrow (i mean really really narrow. i feel like a slice of bread rolling down the highway). somehow all that adds up to it being quite fun and charming. my CB is all business, but this thing, with all its faults and obsolete design, feels really alive. it really talks to you when you're not operating it correctly. I think thats incredibly valuable to a first time rider.

There are RLETs on that whatever bike in the background?

- - -

I have seen quite of few women enjoy the S40. It is much more manageable for smaller body types. Thumpy, but good on fuel, and very economical to own. Sometimes a pain to start on cold mornings. Not super great on the freeway, but a hoot around town and rural roads. Maintenance for the 650 thumper can't get easier. I think the bike has good looks.

of course there are RLETs. it's only the simplest and easiest of mods, guaranteed to make your bike 128% safer according to 3 out of 5 pediatricians.

These things were considered heavily. She's not going to tough it through cold weather riding, so we don't have to worry about cold weather starts, and she's not super confident about the idea of freeway riding at this time either, so we're not going to focus on that. i don't mind saying, the bike was aquired for less than 1400 bucks. if she rode it for one year and then hocked it for 1k, it's a worthwhile investment.

Slice of bread down the road - lol.

I think you have positioned the S40 well. She'll settle in with it or not. Nevertheless, it is fundamentally motorcycle and I am sure she will get something out of that.

My guess is that she will come away with an incredible appreciation for "real" motorcycles. I got off my Cb1100 and rode 20 miles home on the S40 and, having been on refined, modern, sorted motorcycle for so long i realized i had genuinely forgot what a dinosaur like this feels like in action. She's going to go in the other direction. When she swaps from this to a Rebel 500 or perhaps one day to her dream bike (indian scout), she's going to have her mind blown by the difference, and the appreciation and understanding with how connected the vehicle is to the road will build her knowledge and skill in a way that learning on a nice modern bike never could.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

I always wanted to try out an s40...but the same goes for about 20 other bikes. She may end up liking it so much you'll not need to "upgrade" for some time.

The bike certainly has a lot of hidden capabilities, but you can't be fooled by its "650cc" engine. That thing is soundly outclassed by even the most basic modern 500cc engine. i'd say it's closer in power and acceleration equivalency to a 400.

top that off with it's solitary, ornery carb, and you can see how this particular model of motorcycle is a top-to-bottom teaching experience. if you're an experienced rider, the S40 feels like riding on some kind of claptrap contraption. the engine is the strongest brake. it's unbelievably narrow (i mean really really narrow. i feel like a slice of bread rolling down the highway). somehow all that adds up to it being quite fun and charming. my CB is all business, but this thing, with all its faults and obsolete design, feels really alive. it really talks to you when you're not operating it correctly. I think thats incredibly valuable to a first time rider.

There are RLETs on that whatever bike in the background?

- - -

I have seen quite of few women enjoy the S40. It is much more manageable for smaller body types. Thumpy, but good on fuel, and very economical to own. Sometimes a pain to start on cold mornings. Not super great on the freeway, but a hoot around town and rural roads. Maintenance for the 650 thumper can't get easier. I think the bike has good looks.

of course there are RLETs. it's only the simplest and easiest of mods, guaranteed to make your bike 128% safer according to 3 out of 5 pediatricians.

These things were considered heavily. She's not going to tough it through cold weather riding, so we don't have to worry about cold weather starts, and she's not super confident about the idea of freeway riding at this time either, so we're not going to focus on that. i don't mind saying, the bike was aquired for less than 1400 bucks. if she rode it for one year and then hocked it for 1k, it's a worthwhile investment.

Slice of bread down the road - lol.

I think you have positioned the S40 well. She'll settle in with it or not. Nevertheless, it is fundamentally motorcycle and I am sure she will get something out of that.

My guess is that she will come away with an incredible appreciation for "real" motorcycles. I got off my Cb1100 and rode 20 miles home on the S40 and, having been on refined, modern, sorted motorcycle for so long i realized i had genuinely forgot what a dinosaur like this feels like in action. She's going to go in the other direction. When she swaps from this to a Rebel 500 or perhaps one day to her dream bike (indian scout), she's going to have her mind blown by the difference, and the appreciation and understanding with how connected the vehicle is to the road will build her knowledge and skill in a way that learning on a nice modern bike never could.

My guess is that she will come away with an incredible appreciation for "real" motorcycles. I got off my Cb1100 and rode 20 miles home on the S40 and, having been on refined, modern, sorted motorcycle for so long i realized i had genuinely forgot what a dinosaur like this feels like in action. She's going to go in the other direction. When she swaps from this to a Rebel 500 or perhaps one day to her dream bike (indian scout), she's going to have her mind blown by the difference, and the appreciation and understanding with how connected the vehicle is to the road will build her knowledge and skill in a way that learning on a nice modern bike never could.
What a fine path to evolving the experience.

 

[the Ferret]

and when she gets done with it..a toy for you

http://www.rycamotors.com/

 

[redbirds_imp]

and when she gets done with it..a toy for you

http://www.rycamotors.com/

I built one of these in 2011. Great kit, well designed and fun to ride. Amazing how quick the S40 is when you strip away all that weight.

 

[misterprofessionality]

I've actually seen these. they are very cool. However, it's unlikely. If she decides to keep the bike long haul, the cafe version is way too tall for her, and the bobber version is a huge turnoff for her. if she doesn't decide to keep it long haul, it won't become a toy for me because she'll want to sell it to add to the funds for her new bike.

That said, i believe that my wife has an obsessive personality when it comes to new things. she will kit out and modify this s40 like crazy over the next couple of years, even if she doesn't intend to keep it, so i'm sure there will be lots of chances to me to work on it, take it apart, put it back together, ect.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

and when she gets done with it..a toy for you

http://www.rycamotors.com/

Oh wow - some terrific examples!

 

[redbirds_imp]

and when she gets done with it..a toy for you

http://www.rycamotors.com/

Oh wow - some terrific examples!

Oh wow - some terrific examples!
Check out the second page of "customer builds". My bike is the 9th on that page.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

and when she gets done with it..a toy for you

http://www.rycamotors.com/

Oh wow - some terrific examples!

Oh wow - some terrific examples!
Check out the second page of "customer builds". My bike is the 9th on that page.

Oh wow - some terrific examples!
Check out the second page of "customer builds". My bike is the 9th on that page.
Hey redbirds, do you mean this one? ...
http://www.rycamotors.com/customer_builds/ryca_cs1_shudson.html

That's a solid Savage.

 

[Cormanus]

That’s the one, GO.

 

[misterprofessionality]

and when she gets done with it..a toy for you

http://www.rycamotors.com/

Oh wow - some terrific examples!

Oh wow - some terrific examples!
Check out the second page of "customer builds". My bike is the 9th on that page.

Redbirds, that conversion is awesome. It brings to mind a question, though:

It looks like you installed Ryca's Tach and Speedo. How accurate do you find them? I've read from more than one source that Tachometers are hard to install on the S40 because they are typically badly suited to single cylinder engines. The reasons for this are beyond my ability to understand, so i'll just ask for your experience on the matter.

 

[redbirds_imp]

and when she gets done with it..a toy for you

http://www.rycamotors.com/

Oh wow - some terrific examples!

Oh wow - some terrific examples!
Check out the second page of "customer builds". My bike is the 9th on that page.

Oh wow - some terrific examples!
Check out the second page of "customer builds". My bike is the 9th on that page.
Hey redbirds, do you mean this one? ...
http://www.rycamotors.com/customer_builds/ryca_cs1_shudson.html

That's a solid Savage.

Oh wow - some terrific examples!
Check out the second page of "customer builds". My bike is the 9th on that page.
Hey redbirds, do you mean this one? ...
http://www.rycamotors.com/customer_builds/ryca_cs1_shudson.html

Yes, I sold it a while back. The riding position was more than I could take.

That's a solid Savage.

and when she gets done with it..a toy for you

http://www.rycamotors.com/

Oh wow - some terrific examples!

Oh wow - some terrific examples!
Check out the second page of "customer builds". My bike is the 9th on that page.

Redbirds, that conversion is awesome. It brings to mind a question, though:

It looks like you installed Ryca's Tach and Speedo. How accurate do you find them? I've read from more than one source that Tachometers are hard to install on the S40 because they are typically badly suited to single cylinder engines. The reasons for this are beyond my ability to understand, so i'll just ask for your experience on the matter.

Redbirds, that conversion is awesome. It brings to mind a question, though:

It looks like you installed Ryca's Tach and Speedo. How accurate do you find them? I've read from more than one source that Tachometers are hard to install on the S40 because they are typically badly suited to single cylinder engines. The reasons for this are beyond my ability to understand, so i'll just ask for your experience on the matter.
All I can say is that both seemed to work well though I can't speak to their accuracy as I had no way to test.

If I ever build another RYCA kit it will be the scrambler.