Posted by Ping H. on October 20, 1999 at 06:39:00:
I am over 50 and I just got my first bike less than two weeks ago. Of course, it is a Savage.
My 19 year old got his first (sport) bike earlier this year and he had
a lot of fun with it. I asked myself why not to have some fun myself. My son suggested
me to take a Rider Education course. So I did. I thought I would be the oldest one
in the class. Believe or not, there were three students in the class whose hair were
all white. Mine is only gray. The course got rid of my fear and the intense feeling of riding a bike.
I recommend every new rider to take the course, if it is offered in your area. I passed the test and got my license. I want a light weight, low seat, and over 500cc bike. Savage is one of the candidates. Then I found this web site. I have to admit that this site convinced me to buy a Savage.
The 1999 model has only one color, black. I like something brighter. I searched the classified Ad and found a 96 Savage (red) with only 1750 miles on it. I drove 95 mile to see the bike. After one minute's negotiation of the price, I bought the bike. My son rode it back for me.
I ride it to work and I like the feeling. My previous office mate said that it is out of my character.
Well, every one in the whole world has to change his/her perception of me, because I now own a Savage.
Last Sunday morning I forgot to turn the ignition key to the off position, so the battery was dead. I jump started it and rode about 20 minutes and the battery was charged again (it seems to me that running the bike idle will not charge the battery). I rode in the afternoon,
but the engine back fired and died in the middle of riding. I jump started it and it happened again.
After 3 jump start, I finally got the bike home. I thought it must be the battery caused the problem.
I asked several experts about this problem. Some suggested to replace the battery, some suggested
that it might be a timing problem. The battery may be over three years old, so I replaced it with a new one.
However, the problem did not go away. Then I realized it may be out of gas. After I switch the fuel to reserve, all problem went away. You might say I should know better. Yes, I did switch the fuel to reserve once before. If the battery were not dead in the morning, I would have done the right thing.
I will not make that mistake again.