First Run Report

The engine is finally broken in and today I tuned the 2-speed and leaned the engine a little more. I'm gonna run the engine at a slighty rich setting for a couple of tanks before leaning out just a tad more.

Here are my thoughts so far:

Acceleration
This truck gets off the line very nicely with my current setup. It's geared pretty low so this isn't really surprising. No wheelies (which is fine by me) but the rear suspension dips down low when the throttle is nailed.

With the 2-speed adjusted, the truck lurches forward again just as the first gear maxxes out, very visibly ballooning all 4 tirs when this happens - it's very cool!

I'd say this truck's acceleration is GREAT! If I had to score it on a scale of 10, I'd say it'd be a solid 8!

Acceleration: 8/10

Top Speed
Having 2 speeds is great and it's speed certainly impressed the BMX bikers today who were watching - BUT the stock gearing is on the low side so top-end wasn't really as earth-shattering as I had hoped. I'll try gearing up the stock 14-tooth pinion a tooth or two and see if that helps.

The engine is also running rich so with a little tuning I'm sure I can squeeze out a little more speed from the truck.

In any case, it's a general consensus that the stock gearing is torquey and low and could be geared up a little for a better balance of speed and torque.

Top end: 6/10.

Jumping
There's nothing currently in the 1/10 or 1/8 nitro MT market that can compare to the jumping abilities of the SAVAGE. Launches flat when throttle is maintained and is easy to control in the air.

Landings are always unspectacular because they are SO GREAT! On landings from 7 ft high to the flat ground, the truck bounced once and then went on it's way at WOT!

Jumping: a solid 10/10.

Brakes
The brakes weren't really great today. They weren't particularly bad, but they weren't great. Brakes seem to veer to the weak side. There are some mods available on the net which claim to resolve this - but on my tests today I felt the brakes could be stronger and grip harder.

Brakes: 6/10

Turning
This is a tough call because it's all about driving style. If you turn the truck on power, the truck will push and it tends to turn wide, but when you carry good speed into a turn and then turn off power, the truck will lean hard and turn pretty much on a time - very cool! Different people might call it differently, but personally I like it.

Turning: 7/10

Durability
Top notch. Nothing broken even after bad landings off big jumps and flips. I did bend the large roll-bar - and that's one part that could use some aftermarket support to be stronger.

Durability: 9.5/10.

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