Need thoughts and info on the S40

C

Chumpy1970

New member
My wife is thinking about buying a S40 for her first street bike. She rode dirt bikes a good bit when she was younger. She'll be taking the MSF's BRC this summer. About 80% of her riding will be her 10 mile round trip to work in residential and some highway riding. About 20% will be cruising for fun and occasional trips of maybe 100 miles on highways and interstates. Any thoughts or experiences, good and bad, regarding the S40 as we look for a first bike for her would be much appreciated.
 
I bought my wife a S40, we haven't gone on any long interstate rides, but she is very comfortable on it and has no problem keeping up on old country roads.
 
Nice and narrow, kind of nimble, nothing overpowering (although i'd love to see them with a wider bar). Great choice for a first bike
 
Thanks for the info guys.

On on one of my Deal's Gap trips in the late 80's-early 90's, we swapped bikes a few times and I rode a friend's Savage 650 with the 4 speed for about an hour. That was so long ago but I don't really remember having any negative feelings about it.

I've read some reviews where people said it "felt winded" and "the engine works too hard" at 75mph or that it was too "underpowered" for two up (which is probably so but she which do anyways). So I read that stuff and worry. But then I realize I've read similar things about the M50 and now I disagree with those opinions of the M50.

Does the S40 handle decent enough on the interstate at 75mph?
 
I think you'll find it's reaching pretty deep to get to those speeds and maintain it....but she'lll do it. Also thing, how much does your little lady weigh? My wife is learing to ride a Honda CBR125R little single cylinder thing, and it'll still do 60 mph with her tiny self on it.
 
As much as I like suzuki, I think the kawasaki Vulcan 500 would be a much better choice here. I mean, if you are shopping bikes with "old" motors, why not choose the cruiser based on the ninja 500 twin - with mods to make it cruiser friendly. It usually gets high marks for smaller riders, has a 6-speed tranny and plenty of oomph - and a much more comfy seat. It's just a simple fact that a water-cooled twin will have to work less hard than a big single. No problem with highway speeds.

Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD Review | Best Beginner Motorcycles

Cheers,
aLLen

p.s. the new ones are black - known to be the fastest color... ;)
 
I've been thinking about the Kawa 500 as well. However, there are none around here for her to sit on. They must be where all the M50s are :mrgreen:

The wife is 5' 7" and weighs 130 on a good day.
 
:plus1: on that v-star. My wife is 5'2 and sat on that thing comforably. In fact, it's what we'll likely look for, for her when the time comes
 
My wife actually learned how to ride on a Vstar 650, but with her size 5'3'', it was a little too bulky for her, the S40 is a perfect fit.
 
I still haven't found a Kawa 500 anywhere. I've been to 5 bike shops covering about a 90 mile radius.

I did get to ride a used 2007 S40 this morning. It was pretty nice. It's sure seems lightweight after riding the M. It's got more pep than I thought it would. Like I said earlier, I had ridden a friend's Savage with the 4 speed and althought it was a long, long time ago, I didn't remember any big negative thoughts about it.

When I got home I pulled out the calculator and did a little math.

My weight + M50 weight / HP = 15.8 pounds of mass per HP
Her weight + S40 weight / HP = 15.9 pounds of mass per HP

I know there are a lot of other factors in there that effect it but the total weight to power ratio is similar.

A long time ago I borrowed a friends EX500 for about two months. The S40 I rode today and that EX500 seem to have similar power. I imagine the Vulcan 500 would be essentially identical in power to the EX500 since I understand it's the same motor.
 
I'll sell you Mrs. I's S40. '05...very few miles.

Bring the wife on down. I'll ride her around town for a few hours while you check out the S40. We'll dicker over the price while drinking a couple of beers afterward. :bluethum:
 
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