Suzuki LS400 Savage
1987—1990, 1992—1997

I have tried to tell the LS 400 Savage model history on this page as I know it. This page is still under construction. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

Several models and years are still missing from this page. I will put more pictures and stuff here when I find suitable material. Please send me material (JPEGs, facts, specs, brochure scans etc.) if you can!

1987 Suzuki year code: H

A year after the release of the Suzuki LS650 Savage, the first chopper from Japan, a sibling with a smaller engine was released in 1987. The LS400 Savage is a lightweight bike for cruising and easy to handle, suitable even for beginners and people with short legs. The model code for the Suzuki LS400 Savage was NK41A and the starting frame number NK41A-100001. The model was launched in January 1987. The US inspired design used a chrome plating for the front fork and side stand, the front and rear fenders, side covers, etc. were made of steel instead of plastics, like ”in the good old days”. The bike was equipped with a 396 cc air-cooled single-cylinder SOHC engine that uses TSCC (Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber) with four valves per cylinder. Although being a large single cylinder engine it was easy to start , it had an electric starter with auto-decompression. It had good combustion efficiency and was tuned for low-speed torque. Combined with the twin exhaust pipe (with full chrome plating) it had a rather attractive exhaust sound and unique heartbeat, unique to a single cylinder engine. While the LS650 had a belt drive, the LS400 had a chain final drive. Both models had a steel pipe semi-double cradle frame. You could choose between models with flat or upright handles. Apart from some cosmetic facelifts the model has remained virtually unchanged through the years it was manufactured. I'm not actually sure if the model was ever available outside Japan, where it was sold between 1987 and 1990. Both Savage models, the LS400 and LS650, were discontinued in Japan in 1990. The Suzuki LS650 Savage lived on, after a short brake, as an export model only. Even the 400 version got a new life after being absent in 1991. The model was relaunched in Japan in 1991, but with a new model name. Being the only Savage model available in Japan, the model was simply called ”Savage”. 1987 Suzuki LS400 Savage color options were: Candy Academy Maroon (22U) and Pearl Novelty Black (1NX)

1987 Suzuki LS400 Savage, Candy Academy Maroon (22U)

1987 Suzuki LS 400 Savage Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 690 mm (27.2 in) Overall Height: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 480 mm (58.3 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Seat Height: 650 mm (25.6 in) Vehicle Weight: 159 kg (351 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 652 cc SOHC 1-cylinder, 4 valves, TSCC. 31 hp 31 hp (23 kW) @ 5 400 rpm, 50 Nm (5.1 kg-m) @ 3 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1987–1990 Suzuki LS400 Savage (NK41A) specifications (Japan) Overall length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall width: 690 mm (27.2 in) Overall height: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 480 mm (58.3 in) Ground clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Seat height: 650 mm (25.6 in) Vehicle weight: 159 kg (351 lbs) Fuel consumption: 40.0 km/liter @ 60 km/h Minimum turning radius: 2.7 m (106.3 in) Engine model: K402 Cooling method: Air cooled Engine type: Four-stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves Bore x stroke: 88.0 mm x 65.2 mm (3.465 in x 2.567 in) Engine displacement: 396 cc (24.17 cu. in.) Peak power: 24 hp (17.65 kW) @ 7 000 rpm Peak torque: 26.5 Nm (2.7 kg-m) @ 4 000 rpm Compression ratio: 8.5 : 1 Fuel system: Carburator (BS40) Starter system: Electric starter with auto decompression Ignition system: P.E.I. Lubrication system: Wet sump Lubrication oil capacity: 2.4 L (0.63 US gal/0.53 Imp gal) Fuel tank capacity: 10.0 liter (2.64 US gal/2.20 Imp gal) Clutch type: Wet, multi-plate, coil spring Transmission: Constant mesh, return type, 5 speeds Final drive: Chain 1st gear ratio: 2.333 2nd gear ratio: 1.578 3rd gear ratio: 1.142 4th gear ratio: 0.913 5th gear ratio: 0.833 Primary reduction ratio: 2.218 Secondary reduction ratio: 2.941 Frame type: Semi-double cradle, steel pipe Caster: 35°00′ Trail: 147 mm (5.79 in) Front brake: Hydraulic disc Rear brake: Drum brake Front tyre: 100/90-19 57H Rear tyre: 140/80-15 67H Steering angle left/right: 42° Recommended retail price in Japan: 479,000 Yen (1987–1988) 446,000 Yen (1989–1990)

1992 Suzuki year code: N

It's not very easy to spot the difference between the first generation Suzuki LS400 Savage and the Savage released in 1992. I believe the badge on the fuel tank says ”Savage” on the later model, while the earlier version said ”Suzuki” on the tank. At closer look at the specifications, you can find some differences between the 1987–1990 LS400 Savage and the 1992–1997 Savage. The model code of the bike is slightly different (NK41B instead of NK41A), the engine code has been changed from K402 to K407, the ingition system from ”P.E.I.” to ”Full transistor” instead of P.E.I. and the vehicle width has been altered (775 mm/30.5 inches instead of 690 mm/27.2 inches). After the changes made in 1992, the model remained unchanged until it was discontinued in 1997.

1992 Suzuki LS 400 Savage Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 775 mm (30.5 in) Overall Height: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 480 mm (58.3 in) Ground Clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Seat Height: 650 mm (25.6 in) Vehicle Weight: 159 kg (351 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 396 cc SOHC 1-cylinder, 4 valves. 24 hp (17.65 kW) @ 7 000 rpm, 26.5 Nm (2.7 kg-m) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1992–1990 Suzuki LS400 Savage (NK41B) specifications (Japan) Overall length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall width: 775 mm (30.5 in) Overall height: 1 080 mm (42.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 480 mm (58.3 in) Ground clearance: 135 mm (5.3 in) Seat height: 650 mm (25.6 in) Vehicle weight: 159 kg (351 lbs) Fuel consumption: 40.0 km/liter @ 60 km/h Minimum turning radius: 2.7 m (106.3 in) Engine model: K407 Cooling method: Air cooled Engine type: Four-stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves Bore x stroke: 88.0 mm x 65.2 mm (3.465 in x 2.567 in) Engine displacement: 396 cc (24.17 cu. in.) Peak power: 24 hp (17.65 kW) @ 7 000 rpm Peak torque: 26.5 Nm (2.7 kg-m) @ 4 000 rpm Compression ratio: 8.5 : 1 Fuel system: Carburator (BS40) Starter system: Electric starter with auto decompression Ignition system: Full tansistor Lubrication system: Wet sump Lubrication oil capacity: 2.4 L (0.63 US gal/0.53 Imp gal) Fuel tank capacity: 10.0 liter (2.64 US gal/2.20 Imp gal) Clutch type: Wet, multi-plate, coil spring Transmission: Constant mesh, return type, 5 speeds Final drive: Chain 1st gear ratio: 2.333 2nd gear ratio: 1.578 3rd gear ratio: 1.142 4th gear ratio: 0.913 5th gear ratio: 0.833 Primary reduction ratio: 2.218 Secondary reduction ratio: 2.941 Frame type: Semi-double cradle, steel pipe Caster: 35°00′ Trail: 147 mm (5.79 in) Front brake: Hydraulic disc Rear brake: Drum brake Front tyre: 100/90-19 57H Rear tyre: 140/80-15 67H Steering angle left/right: 42° Recommended retail price in Japan: 459,000 Yen (1992–1997)

More: Suzuki Savage series

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: Suzuki Motor Company

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