Posted by RJTrueman on June 27, 2003 at 19:18:57:
In Reply to: New Savage posted by Al Phillips on June 26, 2003 at 13:43:30:
Hey Al! I know the feeling. Just two months ago I returned to 2 wheels myself...with a '96 Savage. Rode a Harley in the 60's, but a LOT of water's gone under the bridge since then...I'm 55. You're right, the Savage is a great little bike with a nice bigger bike feel and look. Careful with that front brake on grass and hot asphalt, though. I'm still getting used to the balance between front and rear brakes and have slipped out a couple of times...without really going down though, and always at nearly stopped speeds. No damage done...but it put the fear of God in me! :) 35 years is a lot of time to recoup in a few weeks. Take care out there, and enjoy it. I was going to quit here, but let me tell you something that happened to me a few weeks ago. It was only a couple of weeks after buying the Savage. I live in northern Italy and we go for fresh bread daily. Of course I now drive the bike to get bread. I mean, why'd I buy it, right?! I parked in front of the bread store and an old fellow (about 67 or so) heard the little snort that the Savage made as the engine wound down. He turned and gave the bike the eye and then started asking questions about it. The kind of questions that an enthusiast would ask. I asked if he had a bike. An incredibly sad and wistful look came over his face as he said, "No. But I've ALWAYS wanted one." I commented that he surely wasn't too old for one. He replied, with genuine sadness, that he had too many aches and pains now to drive a motorcycle. We wound up our conversation and he wished me well. I, in turn, thanked GOD that I had taken the plunge and bought the bike...before I ended up like that old fellow! Some things just need to be done before it's too late!
Again, take care, Al.
JEFF from Italy