Re: My GZ and S40(Savage 650) comparison
 

Rholland. The M-50 is quite nice on the highway. It will maintain 70-75 mph easily with power to spare. Equiped with a large windshield and bags it will just cruise along forever. It is also very comfy just puttering along at half that speed. All of the 50 series have the same power train except for the S-50 which has carbs instead of FI. Lynda's M has a large windshield, crash bars for highway pegs and driving lights. Nelson-Rigg soft luggage allows her to pack a multitude of articles and clothing. Heated grips, a stebel air horn, headlight modulator. Modulating HyperLights tied into the brakes are very eye catching.
I had the chance to run through some twisties and curves at speed and the bike's handling was very confidence inspiring. No it isn't a sport bike but neither am I a sport rider. It handles well enough that I will never learn it's limits. Do I like the bike ? Yes. Do I want one.......no. I would rather have the C-50 for the larger seat and floorboards. Overall the C fits a bit differently and that is the determining factor. Any V-twin in the 750/800 cc engine size is considered an entry level cruiser nowadays. Don't let that fool you. Any Japanese V-twin of this size is a very capable bike.
500/600 V-twin are rare today but still a mighty fine ride that won't break the bank when you find a good one on the used market.

Re: My GZ and S40(Savage 650) comparison
 

I currently ride the GZ250, previously owned a 2003 Suzuki Savage, so I figured I'd chime in.

First off, in case you're looking to get one, the Savage/S40 are the same bike, only small cosmetic differences. Savage had the buckhorn barns, S40 more of a flatter drag bar. Turn signals on the Savage were a bit bigger, S40 has the bullet style. Savage came with a small sissybar/backrest stock, S40 you would need to add it later. Savages built since 1995 are 5 speed, older ones are 4 speed.

I got into motorcycling from bicycling. The Mrs. and I ride two-up often, having the motor is better than the old tandem bike. Together we're about 250lbs.
The Savage definitely has more power. 1st gear would get us up near 20mph, less of that lurching going into second riding two-up and hauling a load.
GZ250 can also do smooth shifting at low speed, but definitely slower.

The Savage actually felt smaller with two people, especially with winter riding gear you felt cramped. The passenger pillion pad was narrow and not as comfortable as the GZ250's. They make a Corbin saddle for the Savage which is supposed to make two-up riding more comfortable. I also find the stock GZ250 driver's seat to be more comfortable.
Passenger footpegs on the Savage are on the swingarm. GZ250 has them attached to the main body. Hitting bumps on the Savage can kick up your passenger's knees.
The stock sissy bar on the Savage was low, didn't work well for comfort. The OEM rack was expensive and the size of a postage stamp. I put a 1970s universal rack/sissybar on the GZ250. Better for the long haul.

The Savage's rear turn signals were in an awkward location, would get in the way of the saddlebags. There's a common modification to move them back to the license plate bracket.
You have more space on the GZ250 for attaching bags and racks. The only drawback is the GZ250's exhaust pipe. It arcs up and can touch the underside of your right saddlebag. I'm wondering if it'd be worth it to get a different muffler to hang a bit lower.

The Savage's speedometer is on the tank. You need to look down, sometimes take your eyes off the road.
The Savage is definitely heavier, feels a little more top-heavy. I store my bike on a porch, pushing the Savage up and down a step was a challenge.
The Savage is known for certain minor oil leaks (oil plug near the exhaust port, head gasket). Mine had one, always had a burning oil smell. There's also a cam-chain issue at higher mileages.

Like the GZ250, the Savage is tuned lean. Similar carb adjustments to fix that.
Beltdrive is really nice, though. I wonder why more manufacturers don't make bikes with them.

Overall I love both bikes. If I could, I would have kept them both.

Re: My GZ and S40(Savage 650) comparison
 

Great comments Kirk. The differences in the S-40 and Savage are not always apparent to the untrained eye.

Re: My GZ and S40(Savage 650) comparison
 

Hello,
I have the same story as hacc81. I need a commuter motorcycle to ride total 20-25 miles daily from San Jose to Mountain View (on highway 237 and freeway 101). And for 1-2 times a month, I would like to ride motorcycle to 120 miles to Sacramento, ca.. I have read few blogs about commuter motorcycles, and I feel that gz250 is the most reliable and cheap among all 250 cc bikes.

- Is it advisable to ride gz250 for 60-70mph daily?
- Is it possible to ride gz250 non-stop for 120 miles on an average 60-70mph? Is it advisable to do so?
- The way from San Jose to Sacramento has few hills.. Can gz250 cross those hills without problem??

Thank you..

Re: My GZ and S40(Savage 650) comparison
 

I've had my GZ for 4 years now, so I think I'm qualified to answer you. I reckon the answer to all your questions is "no". While it's perfectly doable,you'd be pushing the bike all the time. That means you'd not be 100% comfortable, while having to concentrate harder to keep the bike stable at the top end of its performance. It's a light bike, so you'll feel every bump in the road. Doing this day in and day out would, I think, eventually stress you out. I reckon a bigger bike, such as the Vulcan 500 would suit your needs better. :2tup:

Re: My GZ and S40(Savage 650) comparison
 

What Alantf said. You would be pushing the limits of the bike and yourself. A bigger bike with more muscle would be a better bike for your purposes.

Re: My GZ and S40(Savage 650) comparison
 

The hills and wind are the main downfall of the GZ.

The GZ is a good 60-65 mph bike all day, every day on flat ground.
Anything over that and you are working you and the bike harder than need be.

Re: My GZ and S40(Savage 650) comparison
 

Yup, that's about the gist of it. When Lynda rode her GZ fully loaded on the highway it performed very well but add a slight grade to the road and a slight headwind and there was just not quite enough engine to do the job. She could take a run at a hill and do very well but the gradual long grades were the turning point with the power availability. Now with the M-50 and it's much larger engine by comparison there is no such thing as a hill that causes and concern.
We have one hill here that was quite a challenge without a good run with the GZ. Wide open and almost top speed at the bottom ended with a speed of 50 MPH at the top. With the M Lynda starts at 50 MPH and just cranks the throttle slowly. Not even at full throttle and at least 100 MPH at the top. I'm sure a 500/600 cc bike would do much the same with little effort.
In the end you have the GZ with it's forgiving manners and ease of riding. Accept it with it's limitations and it is a great and reliable friend on 2 wheels. Does Lynda miss the GZ........yes. Would she trade back down.........not likely. Power corrupts.

Re: My GZ and S40(Savage 650) comparison
 

OOh. wow.. Those were quick responses....

Thank you alantf, Water Warrior and JWR for your advice...

based on all your suggestions,,,, Now I have started looking at 500 cc cruiser bikes such as Vulcan 500, Boulevard s40.. I will read few reviews for them as well. By looking at prize, I like Boulevard s40 as it is cheaper than others and fuel efficient.. I do not want to spend more money on motorcycle..... what do u suggest guys????

Re: My GZ and S40(Savage 650) comparison
 

Vulcan 500 is a very smooth ride.
2009 was the last production year, and used ones can be found cheap.

The 2005 that I bought Dec.31st had 1462 miles on it.
I traded a 2006 Virago 250 with 10,000 miles and 1250 OTD.
The Vulcan had almost that much money in windshield, engine bars, backrest and luggage rack.

The dealer had 4 Vulcans, but no 250 cruisers...expecting gas to go up, and new riders.
He sold the 250 within 10 days.

I tried a S40, and it was not for me. Too low of a top end.

[attachment=0:2f72zfrv]gap 500.JPG[/attachment:2f72zfrv]