I have a 2012 S40 with 11,000 miles on it. It had 302 miles on it when I got in '16. Took a 300 mile trip last week to Colonial Beach, Va. I rode a '06 Harley Heritage for 10 years but it got too heavy for my 83-year-old body so my son owns it now. The only problem I have with the S 40, when riding with my Harley friends, is they make me park in the handicap space. But that's okay, it's always closer to the door!

Just bought one. The fact that it has not changed since 86 was a selling point.

I have recently started riding a motorbike at the ripe old age of 50 and bought myself an S40. I love it. As soon as I leaned into the first corner I knew I had found the bike to take me through the graduated licencing system we have down here as it is one of the approved learner bikes. I weight almost as much of the bike an have no problems in terms of performance. I can easily pull away from cars at the lights and keep at the 100k/h (63mph) speed limit down here. I, of course, have never gone other the speed limit so cannot comment on whether it it's 130k/h (80mph) ;) I use it for my daily commute and for rides with my clubmates or charity rides. I have no problems lane splitting and lane filtering, which is legal down here. I get around 200km (120 miles) per tank, filling up about once a week. It is certainly cheaper than driving to work and back (motorcycle parking is provided free by my employer) or using public transport. You are correct about the engine braking. Suzuki recommend not using engine braking above 30k/h (18mph) but I have not yet had any issues braking quickly enough. One thing I like about the bike is that it will occasionally backfire, which is kind of fun when lane splitting :) I highly recommend the S40 for anyone getting into motorcycle riding for the first time or coming back to riding. You are unlikely to bring the front wheel of the ground and the top speed means you will not use your licence from excessively breaking the speed limit.

Rode an '87 Savage brand new for a few years. Those bikes are very simple in every respect. What is so cool about them is that everything is straight forward "Old Tech'. Not to mention the torque of a single cylinder. Light weight, easy to maintain, great power from a basic bike. The S40/ Savage is a bike I want to own again.

I got myself one of these Suzuki S40s used after i crashed my 1200 sportster and at first i hated this bike because I was so used to bigger displacement bikes but for a while the bike grew on me. I respected it's reliability, it's simplicity, it's looks, it's classic design, and it's economic encouragement. There's so much info about these bikes, so much support, so much to do with them. I've seen how people mod these bikes to make them look amazing like turning it into a bobber, a cafe racer, a tracker, etc. They are easy to work on and like i said, reliable. So coming from someone who only owned mostly 1000cc plus cruisers, this is perfect for around town and it will be a very fun bike to ride. I realized I dont need a big bike for where i live. They were hard to maneuver at times, they weren't very economical in a sense, and since i live in California and the traffic is bad and also everywhere i go the highway isnt needed so really this bike is perfect for me. Yea you're not going to win races in this bike. Doesnt matter what you ride, it's that you ride. I recommend this bike to new riders and experienced riders. Think of this bike as a grom or a Z-125 but bigger. It has the same fun value

I have an ‘04 Savage that I bought in 2019 from a friend who bought it new; 5k miles at the time and kept inside her home. Honestly I wasn’t very excited about it, but I’d lost my beloved ‘95 Honda Pacific Coast in a divorce, and the Savage deal was too good to pass up. I have fallen in love with her (her name is Celeste) because I can do some of the maintenance and work myself even though I have zero mechanical skills. Her simplicity, low seat, and light weight are perfect for me, not to mention her potential mod-ability, and beat the Pacific Coast in those areas hands down. I feel the same about the speedometer placement. At times, I miss a tachometer and gas gauge and storage, but I know her well enough to get by without them. I have a windscreen, a phone mount, saddle bags, a tank bag, and a fork bag, and this makes her almost match the storage that I was accustomed to on the Pacific Coast. I don’t do much interstate riding. I’m lucky to live close to beautiful twisties and scenery, so that’s where I ride her. She’s so easy for running errands. I’m about to try a petcock replacement myself. I’ll probably never do mods, but I enjoy seeing others do theirs. I’ll keep her until I can’t ride anymore.

great video, been looking at a 650 s40 and couldnt find any good reviews or test drives until this. Thanks for the video!

Yes its small...yes the tank range is small, its basic and unchanged for decades. BUT... you haven't stopped talking how it handles everything 'adequately'.. and your tone of your voice says you're having 'FUN'! and you're two up with the Missis on the back ! This is why this little thumper is a 'classic'! :)

1 cylinder 1 carb. easy to maintain. great begginer bike. my son loves his. It's the master of the slow ride country cruiser.

This was an awesome video. Thank you very much. I am REALLY interested in this bike and my head hurts from all the research I have done, but this video was long and informative enough to have settled it for me. I appreciate the effort. I want this to be my first bike. I tend to keep my vehicles for a very long time, instead of buying and selling ever so often. I wanted my first bike to be one I could keep for a long long time.

NOT breaking down, is worth it's Weight in Gold...I've been riding 10 years...faster larger bikes are nice...until there's a Problem...and that's when it's nice to have a SIMPLE bike to just get on, and Go....no worries or anxiety with it.

This is my first bike ever. My hubby test rode it to get the feel of it for me and I bought it from his recommendation. I’ll honestly hold onto it as long as I possibly can. Such an easy bike to ride, it’s comfy and it’s simple. That’s all this girl needs. 😊

You addressed the two biggest concerns when shopping for small bikes & you did it in real time video , two up & interstate riding , the fact that you addressed both issues at the same time in my opinion proves the S40 is extremely capable, a single piston bike that weighs less than 400lbs is currently still in production & backed by thirty previous years of production , if I ever get a bike it will probably be a S40 , HD streets are liquid cooled & weigh almost 500lbs , v star 250 for me seems a little anemic , most all v twin 650cc cruisers weigh in around 500 lbs , a sportster 883 is around 550lbs. , the Buell blast is no longer available & I have no interest in spending thousands of dollars on a designated dirt bike , Triumph RE & Ducati just seem pricey hard to find & difficult to maintain in my area I’ve had metal in my back since I was 18 , I never learned how to ride , I will turn 41 in 2022 , I hope to be learning off road on a S40 in the next few years , I weigh about 165 lbs , the S40 seems to be the best option I have found so far. Good video , Thanks

Great review. I am looking to get into a bike. Completely new to them. Call it my mid-life crisis. Know my cars well and tested hundreds, but not bikes. I have been exploring a few, doing research and am planning to do my motorcycle course. I have seen a few, including the Harley Street 500. Great looking bike. But last week I saw the S40 at a dealer, I believe in glass black. Brand new. Just amazing. Gorgeous bike. It was both muscular and svelte at the same time. Looked exactly like the mechanical version of what it is: a small but muscular 1980's bodybuilder (it was designed in the 80's). The bike feels nice to sit in. To me, even better-looking than the Harley. Your in-depth review, your bike and riding wisdom, said in a humble, straight manner is inspiring. God Bless Rabid. Take care and keep up the good work.

Wow! A real man being honest about a real bike! Thank you

At 69 years of age after riding bikes since the 60s, I love small bikes .

Awesome bikes! Came from riding dualsports and was nervous about the heavy feel of a cruiser. This bike holds it's weight very well. 👍

no such thing as a beginner bike. I've gone through 11 different bikes over 30 years, and right now, I ride this, and I love it. You eventually realize what you need from a bike, and this has most of it for a great price. My last bike, a 2012 R6, was a pissed off race bike that angered litre bike riders, lol. It got to the point where I was driving my RAM truck with 13mpg over my R6, it was just not fun for 90% of the stuff we use bikes for! This bike had everything, and I cannot tell you how much I love the light weight, my only complaint is the weekend of mods I had to do to make it reliable(as every S40 rider has to do), and it's incompetence above 85mph...then again, I rarely ever go that fast anymore, it took a while for this to sink in, but I'm fun, and fun at 40 to 70, which is right where my bike loves to ride, and feels happy at. Mileage is great, it reminds me of a Grom, or Miata in ways, you can use most of it's power and have a ton of fun, and it's hard to mess up, even when you're getting squirrely on purpose, it just handles so well, and I don't say that lightly, but few sport bikes can keep up with me in the corners, my pegs take a beating, but I'm all smiles, while they're all sweat ^^ It's just pure, simple, reliable, affordable fun, and from light to light(if you have a good bike), few things will put a smile on your face like these...and yes, I can wheelie it, that is not an issue. I suppose my review isn't fair, since I come from the "crotch rocket" community, but there's no better bike for 5 to 80 mile rides in this price range.

Very informative and reassuring. Glad you made this review.

And mine is stock. Quiet,runs perfectly. It will leave traffic in the dust from a stoplight,without even revving it up. Silently. Cruises smoothly at a tad over 70mph.

Thanks, I just bought this bike but I've been timid about getting above 65. Glad to hear it can handle it, it'll make my commute a little faster.

Yeah, I'm looking to getting this bike because I just past my MSF course last Labor day weekend and I'm 5'4" ,157ish lbs. and my wife is also the same height and weight as me. So I'm saving up so I can get me one in the future. Fun video btw.

Great review man, you covered every base fantastically: city, highway, and interstate. I wish everyone made reviews like this it would make my search for a first bike much easier. I am thinking about grabbing a 2007 off of CL, but its been bobbed pretty hard ( no license plate or rear signals) and I don't know if everything was bolted on or if the guy had to buzz them off. I hope the former is true because if it is, thanks to your review, I have no doubt in my mind ill grab it up.

The heavy flywheel that is needed on a single diminishes engine braking a good degree. Good review!

Just bought an 07 thats been converted into a bobber cool looking little bike

I lived in Oklahoma for nearly 48 years and retired in the Deep South. Except for the extreme temps, I sure do miss Tulsa.

It will definitely handle a longer trip. My wife has a 2007 and it was fine for our 750mi blue ridge mtn trip last weekend. Long stretches at 70mph is rather buzzy and will fatigue the rider rather quickly but the day we did the Dragon and Chero Skyway loop she didn't even flinch. She has owned it for almost a year now and will keep it until next summer when she will get a full size cruiser like a Victory or Indian.

I have a 2006 S40 Boulevard. Those straight bars with risers are fabulous. Keep the very best oil in them and change often. These bikes are known to wear out cam chain tensioner. Love the bike though!

As a 35+ year rider, (currently own a Goldwing for touring with my wife and a CB1100EX for fun), I have recommended the Suzuki Savage/S40 to more beginning riders than any other bike. As you mentioned, very light and balanced for around town riding yet capable of highway speeds as the need arises. Personally, I probably stick to the back roads most of time and only ride the interstates if absolutely necessary. The wake from big trucks can mess around with lightweight bikes quite a bit. Also love the belt drive so people can get out there and ride without worrying about chain maintenance.

Good review, thanks!

Earned yourself a new sub. In 2004(I believe) they did do some updates from the savage to the s40(importantly the increase from 24 to 30 horsepower)

I bought an '03 for my wife last year; she's not been able to ride yet, but I've had it out a good bit. I like that it has more torque and highway power than a 250, but is still VERY light and simple. The brakes are terrible and I miss the tach of my Yamaha, but man this bike is just FUN. Some people need to have a rocketship, I don't - it's small, quick enough and a real hoot.

This bike is cheap as borscht here in Canada (that's saying something) I think I'll get the white one to learn on. I'm sure it would fly with my 6' 1" 160lb frame.

Got one of these for my wife's first bike. I'd definitely recommend for anyone who's looking to start riding but don't want the sport 250s. The only issues I have with it are the brakes could be a lot stronger and some of the issues you pointed out. But for the price point it's a fantastic little bike.

i've had mine for nearly a year now and would have to agree with everything you say. it is light and easy to handle. i'm 5'1" and 54kg and have no trouble. not much engine braking and not terribly powerful but it handles a 50km commute (open road and city). and yes the speedo is in a crap position

Had an old Savage (that was definitely non-Savage) that I rode the dawg-shit out of. Good for beginner or experienced rider, 100% fun. There were no hop-up parts for it back then (there are now; see Savage Beast Performance Parts) so it wasn't a speedster, but I made the run between Daytona and Savannah numerous times. Simpler is definitely better! Didn't mind the speedo placement at all, but hated the OEM vacuum carb and stock airbox. Loved the belt drive; it spoiled me. Going 80 is about it, for this bike ... it likes 65-70 better.

Very good review

I'm going to get one. It's the only bike out there that still looks like a motorcycle. It does everything you want it to do well. I had a 350 and 450 Ducati single, years ago, and always wanted a 500 Norton Manx. I considered buying a 441 BSA victor a few years back back but was afraid I couldn't get parts for it. Everyone doesn't need a crotch rocket. I carry a 200 DR on the bumper of my motor home, because it's about the smallest street legal thing I could find. I like to ride it over the big 12 to 14 k foot mountains, and off road, out west, I went riding south of Sturgis last year in the needles parkway, and, Custer SP with some Harley and Gold wing guys, and I got bored and ran off and left them .

I should look at this bike,...650 would be PLENTY big for me! I think that a 250cc bike may actually be too small as I may want to get out on the highway some. I don't have a bike yet,so I would be considered a newbie! I need to take a rider course,but that Suzuki Boulevard S40 may well be worth a look.

Hello again. Just wanted to say i love your videos and just wondering if it would be good idea to upgrade from a gn125 to this s40. 125 is tiny and now i think its time to upgrade. Im a average build guy and quite tall. I just wanted someone else's point of view and especially because your an experienced biker. Thank you so much. Keep up the Awesome videos. Have a great day.

thx for this review, mister! this definitely helps make up my mind on this bike! i like the small size but the bigger motor than the 250s. never cared about a super-high top speed, not interested in that sort of nonsense...i like the torque this one puts out and you're riding two-up at 80 on the interstate with a 'bit more to spare' is great! i have no idea why some of these posts say this is not a good interstate bike and that it only goes 65-70 mph...a friend who's had one for 5 yrs said he goes 80-85 on i 90 in massa chusetts and has no problems at all, he also said he's never h ad a mechanical problem in the 5 yrs he's owned it-- :D

Not sure if this applies to the savage, but I BELIEVE that the lack of engine braking is due to carburetor design. They have an enrichment circuit that dumps extra fuel in during deceleration to keep the bike from backfiring (without this it tends to go lean under decel causing backfiring), but it greatly decreases engine braking. A lot of old Hondas have this and it's pretty common and easy to bypass. When bypassed, you get great engine braking and a nice backfire on decel (I quite like the backfiring, but I can see how some would find it annoying). Just my 2 cents!

Dear Hedge, Have you put an external oil cooler on it? I'm concerned about summer heat here in Houston. It get hot up in OKC but lots of humidity here . Also, lot's of stop and go. It makes it rough on my 1992 Honda Nighthawk 750 in the summer time. I have to use premium, however, the bike comes standard with a cooler. I put an oil cooler on my 1989 Electraglide and I made a big difference. Unclemelvie PS - Was in OKC yesterday on the way home to Houston. I probably get up that way every 3-4 weeks.

I was actually looking at one today. 2012 model. 650 cc, think I might get it

It got a little trippy when you mentioned weight of the bike compared to you & your wife...in my old age I hang on to my words long enough to keep me out of trouble ;- )

That was a good review. I find it very compliant as well. If you get it to 80 mph you can tell it still can give you more. Unfortunately, I've tried to get it to 100 and ran out of road before I could (not that I want to be going 100 all the time but...) I'm 5' 7" and 170 lbs so It is a good size for me. I'm happy and doing exactly that... going through the city and out to the twisties and back again!

When you were about to turn just at about 12:00 the second bike ahead of made a nice and loud engine sound...what bike is that?

Was this filmed in Texas? DFW? I rode a Kawasaki EX500 for three years while in the Army. When visit g friends in South Carolina I had to ride on I-95 for about 30 miles. That bike did fine, so I expect this cruiser to do as well in a similar situation.

I Roll a 2003 Suzuki savage ls650p, *Basically the same* Great bikes! Ran a round trip of 300+ miles the other week Still Thumpin like a champ! Top speed of 87 mph stock. With it kept up the bike should run a steady 75mph no problem once warmed up! The only issue I've see with mine is a massive backfire caused by an exhaust leak between the header pipe/Gasket due to some loose bolts, and also between the muffler, and exhaust. *easily cured with some *Ultra copper Exhaust sealer & a wrench!* These bikes are pretty customizable even though the regular bike dealer will tell you otherwise! From "Cruiser" to "Bobber" or Even a "Cafe Racer" It's a very powerful single cylinder with an easy 25% to 30% Performance gain through some tweaks with the jets, and a new pipe! Don't limit yourself... for who knows it might just be the easily interchangeable seats, and saddle bags that you don't like!

What bike today would be best comparison I'm looking to upgrade but my concern is weight I'm a 57 year old lady 5'6" 150 pounds

Wow!...Can you do a review on the 2016 Ultra Classic ...H-D... Please...

Got one, love it, there is one thing wrong with the S 40 THE GAS TANK IS TO SMALL. Wish some one would come out with a larger tank for this bike. My evening rides are only around 100 km so it will do but my after noon rides are around 200 km and start thinking about gas stations, and for all day rides you better be going by a gas station. as you only have a little over 220 Km per tank. So on a good day ride you have to fill up 2 or more times and that is if you start with a full tank. But that is why I got a Versys X as well as the s 40 as the Versys X will get me around 450 Km per tank. I am thinking of looking for a bike that will get me close to 600 Km per tank Then I could just get on and ride all day with no worries about running out of gas.

I like this bike a lot for what it is, although I'm not a big fan of the style. However, I've actually been looking at fixing that by doing a Ryca Motors conversion kit on one of these to turn it into either a cafe racer or a scrambler (I'm not sure yet which I like more). I think it helps improve the style while keeping the overall solid platform. Good review.

Does the gas tank have a safety reserve? Nice review. I'm going to get one...2019.

S 40 is a great bike but don't put a wind shield on it, It is what I would call a bobber more than a cruiser, it is a great bike to get out and feel the wind on your chest, I have one and love it also have a Versys 300 X on it I got a wind shield and 33 liter side bags. The Versys 300 X is better for touring as it has a 17 liter gas tank, so you are not always looking for gas on those long trips. But the S 40 would also be a great touring bike just needs a bigger gas tank. I did put the back rest on mine so if I want to go on a long day tour on it a can carry some extra gas. It is not like the old days when there were mom and pop gas stations all over the place most of them are closed up. But then if you stick to main roads you should be OK with the smaller gas tank. I love bough bikes 2 different bikes but bough put a smile on my face, bough great bikes. Get her one of each can't go wrong that way. I remember back in the 60's even if a gas station was closed you would go to the house and they would come and start the pumps for you, and some times even offer you a coffee or tea, at the house. Those were the good old days, one time we stopped to ask where the nearest gas station was, and the man told us to come to the barn and he would fill up the bikes for us, and he would not take any money, not much of that any more.

How has the s40 you bought held up over the years? I’ve seen a few reports of the motors blowing on these around 6k to 8k miles and that scared me a bit but I’m very interested in buying one of these I just wanna be sure they hold up because it’d be a long term bike for me

i like how they stop for stop signs.

**One caveat to my previous comment, my bike is not stock. I've done head work, and carb work on it, it's got a great exhaust, much better tires, and brakes, steel lines, and can hit 100+, but it's not fun fun past 85...it's a CRUISER! the reason I did the mods is for 2 up riding, I can travel to the beach, 60 miles away doing 75-85 without stressing the engine at all, and that's what I wanted. I almost did the belt to chain conversion, but I stopped when I realized I'm making a mistake. I love this bike as it is right now, it's perfect.

I'm about 6 foot and around 270 pounds I really like the look of this bike but scared it's too small. would I be too big and does it have a 5 speed

Wondering if you would consider a video on how to ride two up;?

I never heard they get 70 mpg ,they supposedly get combined in the high 50,s.

hi rabid, hows the power, as far as city riding? im thinkin of gettin this for my wife, and i was thinking of the the vulcan s aswell, is this the same power as vulcan s

RIP S40 the one motorcycle I wanted to have as a beginner bike but now I cant get a new one

I'm actually seriously thinking of getting an S40 myself. I know of a 2013 with only 89 miles on it and they are asking $1,900 for it. You can't tell it from new.

I consider this is a beginner bike because I want to buy a Suzuki vstorm, which is a very large bike. My s40 is a fantastic place to start with though.

love this bike I'm in the process of looking one. i will give my kawi 1500 vulcan to my son due to light stroked 3 times. my legs been feeling weak for the past couple of years, i'm afraid i won't be able to handle my 650 lbs vulcan. this is about right for me and wife we are both short, i'm 5'4 and my wife is 5'1. i will put shell v power gas if me and wife ride together for extra power.

Hi, I seriously consider to buy this bike but it is impossible to take it to a test derive in my country. I am only worried about the vibrations, I saw in another video that with the 4 gears version they start at 50 mph; I was wondering if this is the same for the 5 gears or it is more like in 60 mph? Another thing, I used to ride both the Honda 250, the royal Enfield 500, and the Kawasaki En500, which one would you say is more close to the S40 in terms of performance? Thanks a lot G.B

mine s40 2009 .. got the califonia muffler= really quiet ..but will backfire if you like to down shift lol ! rev high then motor helps slow .. it will POW .. lol

when you're looking at a bike review and realize the reviewer is cruising around your town

I am considering the Suzuki S40 vs the Yamaha SR400 for city driving to work and back. No interstate rides for this bike.

Yeah but because the speedo is on the tank make the handle bar change simpler

is it comfortable for someone around 6 foot 1?

Just bought a 2007 white s40 with only 17,000 kms

In Tennessee you can get a restricted motorcycle license at 15 and I think i'm gonna get one partially because of this review

looks almost exactly like my 95 savage, same color etc

What did the wife graduate too after riding the S40?

Did you pick one up? If you did, it would be great to do another video where you did not have to follow a slow rider. Thanks for the vid.

How long should the life of this bike last? Mileage wise?

Does the single cylinder bring more vibration to your crotch?

wonder how this bike compares to my 250 intruder, anyone ridden this and the intruder?

I have a 2001 suzuki LS650 Savage (same bike older name) and I am 370 lbs, 6'4. (Thankfully im not a blimp, spent too much time weight lifting and eating) and the bike with me will get up to 89mph out of its 100top speed. I am in w.v. and it tackles high grades just fine with my heavy self on it. very nimble.. you can lean this bike into turns just using your body with your hands on the tank. overall great AND it works perfectly fine on Rotella T1 or T6 diesel oil. seriously. (do not use modern motorcycle oil in this bike. your transmission will thank you)

Thx

Great Video But a 650 cc is not a small engine, mid size for to days bikes but a large for the 1960 and 70 , And there is no comparison to the 250 cc. the bikes might be close in size but the 650 single engines is nothing like a 250, from the factory they are set up very lean, adjust to burn richer and you will sea quite a difference, but you miles per gallon will go down. They are calling it a cruiser but I would say it is closer to a bobber. To me it is one of the best looking production bikes out there today.

BTW, I use my phone GPS on the bars as my speedo, fk that tank speedo lol, I'm not looking down for any reason other than a noise that shouldn't be there(that's never happened on this bike either^^)

So many folks that review motorcycles are very annoying. You're not. I'd share a pizza with you. Great review on the S40.

Skip the S40 and step up to the S50... just a few pounds heavier... still narrow... still low... but a night and day improvement over the S40 in every way... 20 more HP... cruise smoothly and effortlessly at any speed city, country, interstate... you prolly won't ever feel a need for an upgrade, then...

Which one was more fun and better on the freeway Suzuki S40 or the TU-250?

How about 45 to 54 mpg. NOT 75 on a bet. After 4 years ans 12,000 the miles per gallon average 49 mpg. Back brake sucks. But a good city bike. But I bought it in 2019 with 7k on it for a 2000$ Until this week it never let me down. The clutch linkage broke at 18k. I'm putting a new clutch new brake shoes and with in a year I'm going to the S50. The S40 is a good city bike. Cheap to own cheap to buy. Easy to fix. Easy to handle.

Love the bike. Hate the speedo rattle...

Increíble

Seems like a nice bike but it’s giving me the impression that you could easily get bored with it quickly

sharp but go bigger.

"These smaller 250cc bikes get good gas millage"? You mean 650cc. Haha. Like, more than double the cc.