Summary
The Suzuki Boulevard S40 (formerly Suzuki LS650 Savage) is a lightweight cruiser motorcycle manufactured by the Suzuki Motor Corporation[3][6][7] for the Japanese domestic market, and exported to New Zealand,[8][9] North America,[10][11][12][13] as well as to Chile[14] and other countries.
 1988 Suzuki LS650 Savage | |
| Manufacturer | Suzuki Motor Corporation |
|---|---|
| Also called | Suzuki LS650 Savage |
| Production | 1986—2019 |
| Assembly | Toyokawa, Aichi, Japan[1] |
| Class | Cruiser |
| Engine | 652 cc (39.8 cu in) 4‑stroke, SOHC, 4‑valve single cylinder, air‑cooled,[2] Mikuni BS40 CV carburetor |
| Bore / stroke | 94.0 mm × 94.0 mm (3.70 in × 3.70 in) [2] |
| Compression ratio | 8.5:1 [2] |
| Power | 31 hp (23 kW) @ 5400 rpm[3] |
| Torque | 50 N⋅m (37 lbf⋅ft) @ 3400 rpm[3] |
| Ignition type | Electronic (transistorized) [2] |
| Transmission | Manual 5-speed constant mesh, belt drive [2] |
| Frame type | Half-duplex cradle |
| Suspension | F: Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped, 140 mm (5.5 in) stroke R: Swingarm type, coil spring, oil damped 80 mm (3.1 in) travel [2] |
| Brakes | F: Disc R: Drum |
| Tires | F: 100/90-19M/C 57H, tube type R: 140/80-15M/C 67H, tube type [2] |
| Rake, trail | 35 deg / 147 mm (5.8 in) [2] |
| Wheelbase | 1,480 mm (58 in) [2] |
| Dimensions | L: 2,180 mm (86 in) W: 720 mm (28 in) H: 1,105 mm (43.5 in) [2] |
| Seat height | 700 mm (28 in) [2] |
| Weight | 173 kg (381 lb) [4] (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 10.5 L (2.3 imp gal; 2.8 US gal) (including 2.5 L of reserve) [2] |
| Oil capacity | 2.0 L (2.1 US qt) with filter change [2] |
| Fuel consumption | 50 mpg‑US (4.7 L/100 km; 60 mpg‑imp) [5] |
| Turning radius | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) [2] |
History edit
Manufactured and marketed as the Savage from 1986 to 2004, the motorcycle was renamed for model year 2005 as the Boulevard S40. The LS650 has remained unchanged except for minor cosmetic changes, receiving a 5 rather than 4 speed transmission in 1993.[15] With a weight of 381 lb (173 kg), Suzuki markets the S40 as "an entry-level model to the cruiser line."[16][17] With a seat height of 28 inches and flatter handlebar, the bike is suitable for shorter riders.[3][4][18]
Competition edit
The LS650 Savage was the first cruiser manufactured by Suzuki in 1986. The Kawasaki Vulcan 400 entry-level cruiser with a V-twin engine was introduced the same year as the Suzuki Savage, and the Vulcan 500 LTD with a parallel-twin engine was introduced in 1990. One of the few small cruiser motorcycles available with a shaft drive as an alternative to either chain or belt final drive, the Yamaha Virago 535 was introduced in 1987. Honda launched the Shadow VLX, with a 583 cc V-twin for the 1988 model year to compete with the single-cylinder Savage. The Savage's persona was a bike that stayed out of harm's way, with a torquey engine (although underpowered for its displacement) that made few demands on the rider.[3][19][20][21]
Compared to the discontinued Buell Blast, which had a 30 c.i.d. single-cylinder engine with somewhat heavier vibration, the S40 is a more versatile and less expensive entry-level motorcycle.[22]
The Boulevard S40 fills the gap between less powerful 250 cc entry-level cruisers and more powerful twin-cylinder 500-650 cc cruisers. The S40's smaller competitors currently are the Yamaha V-Star 250 and the Honda Rebel 250. Although some consider the S40 too powerful for a novice motorcyclist, the bike's light weight and low seat height make it ideal for beginners who feel that 250 cc bikes are just too small. The S40 has larger shaft-driven rivals in the Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom, as well as the Honda Shadow Spirit 750, which boasts its "super-low" 25.7-inch seat height. Similarly, the Sportster XL883L "Low," and later "SuperLow," are Harley-Davidson's starter bikes.[4][23][24][25]
Two enduring competitors are motorcycles with air-cooled single-cylinder engines that have been in production even longer than Suzuki's S40: Royal Enfield's Bullet, and Yamaha's SR400. The latter was reintroduced to markets outside of Japan in 2014.[26]
Performance edit
The Boulevard 40's engine is a 40 c.i.d. (652 cc), four-stroke, air-cooled, single overhead camshaft power plant, incorporating a Twin-Swirl Combustion Chamber (TSCC) cylinder head design first used in the Suzuki GSX series motorcycle engines. This engine features a balance shaft and an output of 31 horsepower. At 60 mph the engine is spinning at a moderate 3940RPM.[4][22]
In 1996 Motorcycle Consumer News measured 31 horsepower at the rear wheel of an LS650 Savage, and a rear-wheel torque of 30.5 pound-foot. The LS650 registered a quarter mile time of 15.3 seconds at a speed of 81.1 mph, and an average fuel mileage of 55 mpg.[5] In a 2006 road test, Motorcycle Cruiser magazine recorded a quarter mile time of 16.35 sec at 77.2 mph. Average fuel mileage for the S40 was 52.9 mpg.[4]
The S40's "thumper" engine (single-cylinder, four-stroke), is among the largest displacement single cylinder motorcycle engines in production as of 2018, alongside the Suzuki DR650SE and KTM 690 Duke.
References edit
- ^ "Japanese Motorcycle Industry Assess Damage". Motorcycle USA. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Schoeberle, Derek (11 April 2012). "2012 Boulevard S40" (PDF). Key Features & Specs. Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Biker, Maxx (9 June 2010). "2010 Suzuki Boulevard S40 Review". Motorcycle Reviews. TopSpeed. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
The Suzuki Boulevard S40 is an entry-level cruising motorcycle derived from the LS650 Savage, the first chopper manufactured by a Japanese builder in 1986.
- ^ a b c d e Friedman, Art (January 2006). "2006 Suzuki Boulevard S40 Motorcycle Road Test: The Savage Turns 20". Motorcycle Cruiser. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
Introduced in 1986 as the Savage, Suzuki's Boulevard S40 650 cc single-cylinder cruiser motorcycle still has its charms after two decades.
- ^ a b "Performance Index" (PDF). Motorcycle Consumer News. January 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-04. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Boulevard S40 (LS650)" (PDF). Leaflet 99999-A0101-191. Suzuki Motor Company. March 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ "Boulevard S40 (LS650) L3" (PDF). Leaflet 99999-A0101-131. Suzuki Motor Corporation. September 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ "Boulevard S40". Suzuki New Zealand Limited. Archived from the original on 6 February 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- ^ "New Suzuki LS650 (9702)". Wellington Motorcycles. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- ^ "Features" (PDF). S4 2011 Brochure. American Suzuki Motor Corporation. 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ "Boulevard S40 - 2013". Product Lines. Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ "Boulevard S40 - 2013". Product Lines. Suzuki Canada Inc. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ "Boulevard S40". Motos. Suzuki Motor de México. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ "Boulevard S40". Motos. Suzuki Chile. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ Williams, Don (16 April 2016). "2016 Suzuki Boulevard S40 Review | Classic Rock". Ultimate MotorCycling. Moorpark, California: Coram Publishing. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
The most obvious old-school technologies that remain include an air-cooled motor, Mikuni carburetor (and petcock), wire wheels, and a rear drum brake.
- ^ American Suzuki (October 13, 2010), "Suzuki details its 2011 lineup (press release)", American Motorcyclist
- ^ "2011 Suzuki Boulevard S40", Cycle World
- ^ Dunn, Marcia (13 October 2002). "He was wild before the blue yonder". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
Carey rides a Honda ST1100 and Yamaha YZ250. His wife has her own bike, a Suzuki Savage.
- ^ Duchene, Paul (14 June 1998). "Finding A Bike That Fits As Well As Your Leathers". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
Don't let the bigger engine mislead you, this big, single-cylinder 'thumper' is user-friendly, with a low seat, belt drive, electric start and pull-back bars. Make cool sounds.
- ^ Considine, Austin (2 July 2006). "Safest to Own and Ride". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ "Suzuki Savage 650/S40". Tanshanomi's Snap Judgments (blog). Tanshanomi.com. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
The Savage doesn't back up its dramatic appearance with anything more than milquetoast performance.
- ^ a b "2005 Suzuki Boulevard First Ride". Cruiser Motorcycle Review. Motorcycle USA, LLC. 8 February 2005. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
The S40 is a 650 cc air-cooled single-cylinder 4-stroke. It is an updated version of the old Savage. I was surprised at how smooth the single cylinder engine ran, even when pressed hard.
- ^ "Motorcycles to Get Started On". Beginner's Guide. Women Riders Now. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ Voss, Arv (30 August 2008). "Two wheeling - a primer for beginners". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
Suzuki starts off their Boulevard Cruiser lineup with the S40 - a 40 cubic-inch (652 cc), four-stroke single-cylinder motor with electric start and five-speed gearbox.
- ^ Steven John Bortolamedi. "2013 S40" (PDF). 2013 Sales Guides. Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
- ^ Fogelson, Jason (26 September 2014). "2015 Yamaha SR400 Test Ride And Review: Now Retro". Forbes. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
The obvious competitor to the SR400 is the Royal Enfield Bullet, the Indian-built bike that has been around even longer with just mild changes. I guess I'd throw the Honda Rebel and Suzuki Boulevard S40 into the mix, too, though neither hits the mark exactly.
External links edit
- Suzuki Savage at the Open Directory Project