I have the same Savage 1998 since 2002. 185 thousand kilometers in Brazil and South America Excellent and reliable!!

I toured Germany, Switzerland, France, Monaco and Italy in the seventies and eighties with my girlfriend riding pillion. You certainly have the right attitude. Way to go!

Great !...go wherever you want with whatever you have.

Nothing wrong with that bike at all. You have a great system of packing too. You're solo, not trying to keep up with the "big" bikes. Riding your own pace and taking it all in is a great way to go.

As far a suitability of your bike for camping goes, my opinion is that the best bike for moto camping is the one that you already have in your garage. You can travel and camp on anything. Good on you !

In 2019 at age 68 I rode 4,784 miles in 8 days of riding on my 2007 S40.I would not trade this bike for any other bike on the market. I ride by myself and at my own pace. I try to get behind a tractor trailer, that's rolling around 65 or so, and stay about 125 feet back and use the unit as a blocker. At my age, I'm not in a hurry to get anywhere. I'm planning a trip back to Orange Beach, Alabama probably within the next 3 weeks or so and I will be taking my beloved S40 for sure.

Absolutely love your outlook on Moto traveling. You are definitely doing it right

You are definitely doing it right !

The best adventure bike is the one you have. People have done epic trips on Honda C90's. Great name - Sunshine 👍

The perfect bike for any trip is already in your garage sure it might not be as nimble as some DS bikes, but as long as it is reliable and puts a smile on your face, that's the most important thing.

I love the love you have for your bike. Also the background pic at the end of the video- definitely Glacier National Park!! So jealous you rode there!!

I find it so cool you just decided to take off and cruise the country. You have a great upbeat personality, I've had your videos on while I work and it's very entertaining. Keep on going and stay safe😀

Love and admire what you’re doing! Heard about you from Mark and Janine at MVMC! Hate I wasn’t there to meet the famous kiwi cruisette! Wish you well on the rest of your trip!

yup. just watched your bike video again. love it!! i feel better already.

I ride a 2010 Road King and find your bike, 'Sunshine', far more impressive. Thanks for the great content. Keep the dream alive and keep riding!

Great relationship. I feel the same about my identical bike (same color, year,windshield, etc.). I am 85 years old and love it. (I have also owned 5 Harleys , 2 Hondas and one other Suzuki.).

Love it. You both are adorable. Love the content as I'm looking to get into solo motocamping. Take care and ride safe.

Great video and simply amazing content! Keep up the good work!

You got some INFECTIOUS energy and vibes man! Always gotta make the best out of what you have!!! ❤🤙

Thanks! I live in the Tropics & had not one but two Savage 650... I loved them 😃😃😃

Inspiring!! I just bought an S40 (2007) after taking the riders course this past summer. Just been practicing riding to ween myself in but I love to camp too so I'd love to follow more of your adventures!!!

Have loved those bikes since they first came out in 1986! the yellow colour is outstanding!

I love the s40. There is something great about a big single. Great video. Glad you're camping with it.

Hi Nicky , Nice to see a Kiwi Travelling around America having some fun riding and camping. Looks like a good set up there 👍🏻🙂 keep safe, & I’ll be watching your posts. Have fun 😀👋

Big fan of this motor, very pretty, well see it as a fave in the future. Glad it's working for you.

You go girl! Cheers from North Carolina.

I just found you by KZfaq recommendation and watched your Top 20 Motocamping Must Haves (great video) and really wanted to know what you’re riding. Then I found this video! I’m thrilled to see your Savage! I have an ‘04. It seems that you and I have similar riding styles. Everyone tells me to let my girl go and get something else, but I won’t, at least not in the near future. I like her simplicity... and she’s paid for, and I know her well. Thank you so much for showing me that I can motocamp from my Savage. Her name is Celeste. I can’t wait to watch more.

I do road trips on my Savage too. last one was 5,500 km to Trondheim, Norway thru Sweden from Denmark and back.

You're a ton of fun and personality, Nikki, good for you. I just subscribed to your channel. Good videos, fun, inspiring and informative. RIDE SAFE.

I hope you do more! I love your bike!

I have the 2020 Honda Rebel 500 but I freakin Love ur Suzuki Savage!😍 She’s an absolute gem!!💎 What an amazing find! The colour and decals are gorgeous! You’re living the dream. Ride safe!🤘🏽

As long as you love your bike that’s all that matters don’t matter what anyone says. It’s yours to love and ride and that’s all that matters. Cruisers are meant to cruise and that’s what you love doing. I have an Suzuki intruder 1400 and it’s a beast but it’s not meant to go tearing down the freeway it’s just a muscular cruiser that can pull highway speeds for passing cars and going uphills and that’s all I need it to do. Other than that I too love my bike to pieces and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Enjoy yourself while your still alive and it looks like your doing it right. Love the bike, love the content keep it up. I am going motocamping soon with my significant other for HER first time so hopefully it goes well. Enjoy

A fabulous video! I have several motorcycles and my S40 Boulevard is my favorite. I've thought about taking the backroads out to Minnesota and South Dakota from NC this summer.

Awesome stuff from a fellow Kiwi ! 'Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance'

You are absolutely right. We do not need a sophisticated one to go on adventures. I have a Suzuki Boulevard C50 and I'm going to do some adventures with it.

All the best for you and Sunshine! Cheers from Germany 👍

I like that you are always smiling.

Nice tool kit. Love Viking bags.

Great bike a good name sunshine i have a harley sporters named minx and going to go camping on her thanks for the advice and cruiser bike is perfect for eating miles and seeing the scenery and experiencing it all instead of zoom along and missing everything

Good stuff. A highly under rated bike for sure. I had an LS650F, with the flat bars. I'm 5'11", ~160lb at the time and found the buck horn bars too cramping for me. Rode that bike for 11 years. Been riding a Harley Davidson XL1200C, also with flat bars, since 1999. Been east to Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland, NH, VT & Maine more then a few times on it; two up a couple times. I agree about the windscreen, and the saddle bags. Also about the burns from the muffler. When women that rode with me burned their leg, I always told them: "Well, you belong to me now. My bike, she approves of you." Odd.. No one got upset about that. LOL.

I would watch just about any video you do, due to your positive disposition and cheery attitude. You don’t take yourself too serious. Keep up the good work!

There's videos on here of people who've ridden across Alaska (and camped!) on a Honda 90, good rebuttal for anyone who doubts your ability to tour on your Suzuki!

I've got a Boulevard M50. This line of motorcycles are one of my favorites. Personally I think they look like a better cruiser than most Harley's, especially the rear fender. Plus, they come in some cool colors other than broody black. The seat change is absolutely a necessity, or at least some kind of pad. If you end up getting to Florida again in the future and have even a passing interest in art or architecture, consider checking out the Ringling Museum and Ca' d'Zan Mansion in Sarasota (free on Mondays). It's got a bunch of cool European art and cast replicas of famous statues back when you could just bring it over. And if you run into issues in either Florida or Western Montana where my family is, feel free to reach out and we can get you whatever help you need. Thank you for the videos!

Just got one of these! Def gonna take it camping this summer

She is a beauty! I have a 2006 myself, I’d trust her to go anywhere

I have a Suzuki Boulevard S40 as well. You motivate me, thank you!

Prettt inspiring, glad to see you took life by the horns during a bad circumstance. My first bike was actually a bright yellow 90’s Suzuki savage exactly like yours. Got it for 1000$. Granted I feel like it was made for a shorter rider than a 6,2 dude, what with my knees being well over the tank. That being said I always felt it performed perfectly for what it was designed for. Only mechanical issue I ran into was the fuel petcock busting on me but it was easily fixed by replacing it with a Yamaha raptor 660 fuel petcock. Screws right in, no mods. If you still have the bike, it may be worth carrying an extra one with you. Best of luck on your future travels.

I am a new subscriber and fan to your channel :) that bike is easily repaired so you can keep it going for years.

Love your vibe.

I have a little Duke 390 and I geared him (Spanky) up to carry some panniers and do some long distance touring this summer. The only people who give me a hard time about using my little commuter for touring are people who either don't even have bikes or if they do they don't do any longer trips with it. I have run into all sorts of people on more traditional long distance adventure bikes and they have all been super supportive and encouraging. It is all about making the best with what you have and loving the one you are with.

Love your attitude of doing what you want with what you got. There may be better ways to "optimize" but a bike that runs will work.

I also have a mighty Savage in my tiny collection, and I’m astonished at the miles on your bike’s clock. My sunshine hasn’t run in the last 3 years for mechanical reasons you already know of. All the best-I support your effort 100!!

Looks like you are doing a great job. Be safe and careful out there

Love your channel. I've binge watched a bit. You seem concerned about your charging habits and your battery. Consider a deep cycle battery, or AGM ( absorbed glass matt ) they tolerate discharge better than lead acid. Stay safe, stay free.

Great bike, I've had two of them. Nice,😊 light weight cruiser!

Good on you Nikki, very entertaining and informative. I love to see how other people get about and their workarounds to problems. I'm in Australia, and I have only known of one other Suzuki Savage in my 30+ years of motorcycling. It was a friend who used to attend motorcycle "Rallies" (camping weekends) on his Savage. From memory, the motor is most commonly used in Suzuki's ubiquitous DR650 dualsport, so lots of low rev torque! I rode naked road bikes for 20+ years (silly boy) until I discovered screens. Won't go back now. Heated grips are another VERY helpful comfort item. 160 km per tank!!!!! Wow, that must be inconvenient (sounds like a Harley Sportster "peanut tank" of 8.5 litres....). No wonder you carry a jerry can. How come "Lunch Cutter"? Did you previously work in a sandwich bar. What's the 411?

Kia ora from a Kiwi living in NY state ! Good on you and your absolutely right about using whatever bike you got. Americans think going camping is taking your $60,000 motor home and roughing it cos you only have one bathroom in the camper. And when it comes to motorcycles, if it isn't a Harley or the biggest Honda goldwing then it's only for going to the local store. They are so spoilt and green they wouldn't handle touring around NZ on a Honda 90, lol.. Just got myself a 2000 Suzuki intruder 800 and can't wait for spring to arrive. Good luck on your travels.

Damn, you are rockin' it! I've wanted to do a long trip on mine, but I need to make some comfort mods before I try it. My 12' S40's name is "Potato" bc when it idles, it's sounds like 'Potato Potato Potato Potato Potato Potato Potato' hehe. I've done a few beach runs at 70-75mph, with zero problems, it's only a 120 mile round trip, but for me it's the perfect ride for this kind of bike.

Just found your channel. Subscribed... check. Forget about the haters, they are gonna hate. You and Sunshine are killing it! Great job on the content, video editing, and amazing vibe! Any company would be blessed to hire you on. Stay safe!

So cool. Most people wouldn't consider that bike. My first few years of motorcycle camping was all on a 1994 Honda Shadow 600

True riders will never talk trash about your motorbike. So keep on riding with Sunshine!

I ride a s40 as my learner bike back here in NZ. Love the things.

Just love your personality!! Yes you can go anyplace you want on just about anything.. I have some friends who are going across the United States on Groms... no me, but they are doing it very nicely! Your bike is just fine.. never mind the naysayers!!

the number one rule you never trash talk someone elses bike... we are all on two wheels ...you done more than most people even dream about

hi from bournemouth dorset uk , yes so true any bike can tour !! well said . be safe

You funny! Corbin makes good cruising long-distance seats

Hell yeah!! Ride what you have!! A thumper would not be a bike I would choose for the endeavor, but if it is what I had, it would definately work. I put a lot of miles on a Kawi Vulcan 500LTD. I rode it on more dirt and gravel than a lot of people have ridden their "dual sports".

regular maintenance...I agree with u... is a must to get a good bike

Cheyleesi has had three of them she loves them only problem is you can leave the key in the wrong position and drain your battery. I've done some road trips on a 500 Honda Shadow if you're just doing back roads anything over 500cc is good 4 long road trips have fun and keep the rubber side down

Yes!!! You are more of a biker than 91.6% of Harley riders

Pretty cool. Like your attitude. If you head through bear country consider a portable electric bear fence. A compact 2.4 lbs for huge peace of mind. And there are all sorts of predators though I’m sure you’re pretty capable.

Wow you’re a great ambassador for riding very detailed essentials you need to ride with good luck I’m motivated to do a trip on my own

Ha you remind me of so many of my kiwi mates. Awesome Vlog

Jus bought an s40 here in NZ. Can't wait to see what it can do. My first bike!

I have an old tired '84 Honda Shadow that needs love and money. I miss that it never asked me to ride faster, like so many other bikes do. There's something nice about a cruiser. Perfect Coast road rider.

Had a yellow 2000 Savage for 8 years. Great, very low maintenance bike. Best of luck on your adventure.

Love this! Thanks!!

Probably done with your trip by now. Hope you had an epic adventure. I had a '98 Savage for a while. Yes, it was a bit small and slow, but I loved that thing! Just a super simple basic bike.

Good for you im gonna do the same with my Vulcan all you need are some dual road tires and any bike will do as long as its not to heavy for you

Who cares what others say...just do it and you are. Well done

Your so right.. Any motorbike can go on tour..

Come back! Your videos are great and we’d love to see more!

That’s Awesome 🙂 I totally agree with putting a six hundred dollar seat on a two thousand dollar bike , I want a S40 even more now 🙂 , I am the type of person that would upgrade shocks & seat beyond the price of the bike , Sunshine is absolutely gorgeous keep smiling 🙂

SUZUKI, you can't go wrong. Very reliable machines. I've been across the country several times on SUZUKIs, you are a wise woman.

My favorite bike is a Suzuki GS850. Perfect for cross country travel. I used to work at a dealership in the 80's The Savage or S40 was a big seller.

A true biker .

Nice , I as well have a 1996 Suzuki ls 650 and it is yellow.

My fiance got a s40... got to say its not powerful, but I think it's fun. Going to bobber it... if she wants to keep it. You had some great ideas..subscribing.

The LS650 Savage was the first cruiser manufactured by Suzuki in 1986 and got a 5 rather than 4 speed transmission in 1993 it has remained unchanged except for minor cosmetic changes because it is such a good machine I have a white 08.

Very Cool!

Yeah.. you've gotta talk to them Nice bike

I just got my 2001 LS 650 Savage... Boom cool to just take it easy

I absolutely agree, if you want to do it on a Moped go for it. Life's too short to be picky. I'm bingeing on your vids at the mo catching up quick though.

beatiful bike!

My wife and I did 12oo km 2 up on a 79 Yamaha XS400 with no problems.

Nice to meet you, Sunshine!

Give her plenty of compliments.good 1.😁

I hope I run into you somewhere. I'd love to buy you a few drinks. And I ride a 2003 Heritage Softtail.

Keep the cigarette lighter cap on during a rain storm. It can easily short out if water gets in. It has happened to me. Thankfully, mine had an inline fuse to avoid any damage to electrical system. Also, looking just over your windshield (as you said you do), when riding is the perfect height.

i love your bike i had a 1998 Savaga ...i miss mine....have a safe ride