New Savage 25 - Two thumbs up

[BlueRidge1]

I broke in my new Savage 25 yesterday. My background is Electric Vehicles - mostly the Stampede. As such, I followed the manual very closely. First off, I was very impressed with the torque of the rotostart on the new engine. The only issues with the rotostart is that the the button sticks sometimes and you have to make sure the shaft is inserted straight and not at an angle. After the engine loosens up, however, the rotostart is much more forgiving. Anyway, I ran one tank through on the stand as instructed - no issues. The next two tanks were spent running in small, slow circles. The engine was so rich that the muffler just spit nitro all over. During this whole process it only died 2-3 times. After three tanks I started dialing her in. By the 5th tank I was popping wheelies and grabing 2nd in 2-3 seconds. Top speed in the grass was incredible.

Today I couldn't wait to lean that top needle down some more. With an onboard temp guage, I made a few fast passes then started down in 1/8 increments. After 2 adjustments, I was pulling more nice wheelies and some incredible top speeds. I did this averaging only 245 deg. When I was Dogging it - HARD - she would hit around 255 deg. I have a little more left on that upper needle but I'm gonna leave it there. I found a real nice sweet spot - good performance, decent temps, and some good margin for higher temps during LONG hard runs.

This thing is incredible and the jumps are sweet. The engine was so easy to tune and she just idles like a kitten. No complaints here. Highly recommended.

 

[Freedom]

Congrats on your new monster truck, I am glad you are enjoying that work of art.:yes:

 

[GilBeQuick]

We just got 2 Savage 25's in yesterday at the HS. They are priced at $449....and since those came in the Savage .21's are now bargain priced at $399. But for $50 you get a RotoStart installed, optional gearing, heavy duty dogbones, 3 shoe clutch, a more powerfull .25 engine, and probably a couple of other things. $449, what a deal!

 

[BlueRidge1]

UPDATE

The truck still continues to perform flawlessly. I took it bashing at a construction site yesterday. It was easily the worst abuse I ever dished out to a RC vehicle - only one broken part - an antena straw. I was careful not to hit anything that wouldn't move - trees, boulders, etc - but outside of that, well it got a few feet of air and many, many flips, cartwheels, etc.

Today I ran it around the backyard. The engine seems to pick up a little with each tank. Almost a gallon gone in 3 days.

Now to the rotostart. It bit the dust today. (This is after I have made sure it was always inserted correctly and have backed off a flooded engine immediately.) It is my opinion after the comments I have read and my own personal experience that the rotostart is not the same quality as the truck. I think of them as two seperate entities. The tool has plenty of torque, but I don't think the drivetrain is rated for it - beefier gears (I stripped one) or a slip clutch would be nice.

As a result, I got my Makita out, put the torque setting on low (don't want to destroy engine when it floods), speed on high (low speed doesn't work), and played on.

I may just stick with the drill. Yes, it is bigger - but I can count on it, and that means something to me. I don't want to dis the roto too hard because it seems to work fine for some people - I just personally don't trust it.

Anyway, still lovin that truck!!

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

Good news! You will love the Savage! It does take a hell of a lot more abuse than my stock maxx ever did and just comes back for more.

The Roto-Start itself is good. However, the semi-drill unit they give you is a piece of poop! I'm on my 2nd motor and 3rd switch. They are garbage!!!! I'm with you on the drill! Works great and considerring you only need it between tanks, the weight isnt really and issue.

Congrats on a Great MT!

 

[GRUMPN]

BlueRidge1

I take it ya got the RTR and if so what do ya think of the electronics with the kit? Servoes, control? Ric:breakdown

 

[BlueRidge1]

Ric,

So far, I am really happy with the standard electronic package - radio, servos, etc.

I may want to upgrade to a faster/stronger steering servo in the future, but for right now it gets the job done.

My comparison is the TQ system that Traxxas provides - I used to be a Stampede guy. In my opinion, the Savage system is every bit as good as that system - maybe better.